2. Lecture Objectives and Content Standards
Objectives: Help students understand the causes of the Italian Renaissance.
Standards:
7.8.1. Describe the way in which the revival of classical learning and the arts fostered a new
interest in humanism (i.e., a balance between intellect and religious faith).
7.8.2. Explain the importance of Florence in the early stages of the Renaissance and the growth of independent
trading cities (e.g., Venice), with emphasis on the cities’ importance in the spread of Renaissance ideas.
7.8.3. Understand the effects of the reopening of the ancient “Silk Road” between Europe and China, including
Marco Polo’s travels and the location of his routes.
7.8.4. Describe the growth and effects of new ways of disseminating information (e.g., the ability to manufacture
paper, translation of the Bible into the vernacular, printing).
7.8.5. Detail advances made in literature, the arts, science, mathematics, cartography, engineering, and the
understanding of human anatomy and astronomy (e.g., by Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo di
Buonarroti Simoni, Johann Gutenberg, William Shakespeare).
3. Why Study the Renaissance?
The Renaissance is an extremely important part of modern history. In fact, it is often cited as the period
that ushered Europe from the Middle Ages, or Medieval Times, to the Modern era.
Not only was the Renaissance a brilliant time for sculptors, painters, and artists alike, but for brilliant
scientific, philosophical, and mathematical minds as well. This includes the four ninja turtles: Michelangelo,
Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. Great schools of thought also emerged from this time period,
like humanism and the emphasis on the individual, which had an immense impact on major historical
events and figures.
Therefore, not only is it important to understand the Renaissance as a part of history, but to understand
the modern era.
4. Causes of the Renaissance
oThere was no one real cause – but many factors which facilitated this change
oSome of these were more important than others
oEach of the causes had certain events that can be seen as historical evidence
5. Causes of the Renaissance
oEconomic
oPolitical
oIntellectual
oArtistic
oSocial
oReligious
6. Artistic Causes
o A DRAMATIC SHIFT FROM EARLIER ART
o ART ACTS AS A REFLECTION OF THE VALUES OF
PEOPLE/SOCIETY
o THIS IS AFFECTED BY HUMANISM
o SEEN AS THE TRANSITION FROM THE MEDIEVAL
PERIOD TO THE EARLY MODERN AGE
7. Medieval vs. Renaissance Art
oReligious themes only
oFlat, 2 dimensional
oHeavenly backgrounds
oReligious and Human themes
oUse of perspective and 3
dimensions
oEarthly backgrounds
oPraises the human form
9. Artistic Values
oCelebration of the individual – INDIVIDUALISM
oeach has unique value, work at self-improvement
oLove for classical learning
oMovement towards secular themes
12. Humanism
oLiterary movement which studied
and appreciated the classical periods
oStress on potential good of
humanity, as contrasted with
medieval outlook that saw humans
as inherently sinful
oRenaissance artists saw the human body
as beautiful and good, rather than sinful
and evil
oItalian humanists saw the intellect
as a way of improving civic life and
society
13. Vernacular
oUsing a language or dialect native to
a region or country rather than a
literary, cultured – i.e. LATIN
oDante’s Divine Comedy (1321)
oUsing Roman poet Virgil as a guide through
through the after world
oChaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1387-
1400)
oVernacular Translations of the Bible
14. Political Causes
oRe-conquest of Iberia and Byzantine collapse
oRise of nations & monarchs
oNationalism
o100 years war
oLongbow & cannon
15. Change from Medieval to
Renaissance
Nation states formed from formerly
independent locales
◦ divine right of kings empowers royals
◦ nobility loses power
◦ growing middle class of merchants,
doctors, lawyers, clergy, etc.
16. The Hundred Years’ War
oConflict between England and France over
title to French throne
oThe English army was much smaller than the
French, but was better organized and better
led
oBy 1453, French had driven English out of
France
oFrench monarchy was strengthened by long
conflict
oEnglish monarchy also powerful, but
Parliament continued to exercise influence
over taxation
oLong war exacerbated famine and plague in
France
1337-1453
