The Renaissance Begins

Chapter 17, Section1, page 608

Objectives

• After this lesson, you should be able to:– describe how the city-states of Italy began a rebirth of

art and learning in Europe.– explain how Italy’s location helped it grow wealthy from

trade and banking.

The Italian Renaissance – page 609

• Renaissance – the period from 1350 to 1550 in Europe, means “rebirth”– rebirth of interest in art and learning– Greek and Roman influence and admiration– religion was still important, but people became more

secular (more interest in this world than in religion and getting into heaven)

The Italian Renaissance – page 610

• Why Italy?– location, location, location– center of Roman Empire– Italy’s city-states became

wealthy – competition between city-

states– more urban population =

more patrons for art and more ideas being spread

The Rise of Italy’s City States – page 611

• Italy remained divided– the Church– wealth (private armies;

loans)

• Italy’s city-states grew wealthy through trade.– geography was crucial– goods included: silk, spices,

wool, wine, glass

Who Was Marco Polo? – page 612

• Marco Polo– explorer in China– Kublai Khan– his book stimulated interest in China

The Wealth of Florence – page 612

• Florence – the most famous city of the Renaissance– wealth through trade (wool)– banking– Medici – rich banking

family from Florence, effectively ruled Florence

The Rise of Venice – page 613

• Venice– shipbuilding – famous for its “streets” –

canals and waterways– gondolas – long narrow

boats used for transportation in Venice

The Rise of Venice – page 613

The Rise of Venice – page 613

The Urban Noble – page 615

• powerful doges• complicated politics (rich vs. poor,

rich vs. rich, city-state vs. city-state)• diplomacy – negotiating with other

countries• Niccolò Machiavelli – the diplomat

who wrote The Prince in 1513– claimed people were greedy and self-

centered– do what you must to hold on to power –

not concerned about what was morally right, but with what was politically effective