THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

1300s-1600s

IDEAS OF THE RENAISSANCE

PERIOD• Renaissance means ‘re-birth’

• New faith in human effort and achievement

• Intense creativity

• Knowledge of the natural world

• Perceptions changed

• Admiration of work from ancient Greece and Rome

CONDITIONS LEADING TO RENAISSANCE

Click icon to add picture• 1315-1319 European Famine

• 1347-1350 Black Death

• Population shortage

• Peasant Revolt

• Migration for better life

• Monarchy Rule

• 1337-1453 Hundred Years’ War

• Joan of Arc

TURNING POINTS• Dismounted knights suffered with

heavy armour• Introduction of guns • Monarchy introduced paid

professional armies • Medieval knights became obsolete

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• Goods & services in demand

• Town society became “Commercial Class”

• Italians dominated business and banking

• Money lending emerged

• Trade new ideas & experiences

• Individualism emerged

The Growth of Towns

WHY DID IT START IN ITALY?

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• Heartland of Roman Empire &Roman Law• Roman artifacts remained/returned• 250 city states • Cities on harbours • Roman roads through mountainous peninsula • Climate • Ties to Muslim world • Trade led to wealth• Relative location

WHAT WAS A CITY STATE?Click icon to add picture • 250 city states

• Venice and Milan very populous

• City surrounded by hinterland

• Own government and army

• Democratic • Hired mercenary soldiers

to protect city