when does one historical period end and another one begin? one authority, jefferson b. fletcher,...
TRANSCRIPT
When does one historical period end and another one begin?
One authority, Jefferson B. Fletcher, tells us to look to the rainbow for our answer.
Historical epochs are like the color-bands in a rainbow which, though distinct, yet merge at their boundaries. Between definitely yellow and definitely red there is a strip which has a tinge of both colors. We may call it… either the beginning of the red band or the ending of the yellow.
Historical periods – like the colors in a rainbow – do not end or begin suddenly. Rather, one flows into the next. It is therefore impossible to point to the exact date that marked the ‘official start’ or ‘end’ of a period.
From D. Roselle. A World History – A Cultural Approach. 1963. (p.249).
The RenaissanceA new vision of humanity
Renaissance = Rebirth
Where? From Italy it spread to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, England.
When? From the 14th to the 16th centuries.
Factors that stimulated the Renaissance in Europe:
- Contact- Trade- Wealth- Creative people
The Renaissance had several important features:
- A rebirth of interest in ancient Greek and Roman cultures.
- Humanism- Extraordinary creativity,
particularly in literature, art and architecture.
Medieval art
Flat, stiff, lifeless postures.
Renaissance art
Celebration of the physical beauty of the human body.
Study of the anatomy
Bright colors
Linear perspective
Inspired by models from ancient Greece and Rome.
Patronage: Wealthy nobles and
merchants pay various artists to produce work.
Renaissance Architecture
Symmetry Rounded arches Domes Colonnades
Life during the Renaissance
Music
In the Middle Ages, music was heard in church or was played by travelling minstrels.
During the Renaissance, print music made music more accessible.
New styles were developed.
Musical instruments - Dulcimer
Gemshorn
Harp
Harpsichord
Hurdy-Gurdy
Pipe and tabor
Psaltery
Recorder
Shofar
Flute
Zink (also called “cornetto”)
Literature
Invention of printing press by German Johannes Gutenberg around 1440.
Printing press made books available to more people and made them less expensive.
William Shakespeare
Aldus Manutius
Map of Italy during the Renaissance
Types of governments
Principality: a territory ruled by a prince.
Republicanism: a type of government where the richest families made laws, ruled the city, etc.
Monarchy: a territory ruled by a king or a queen.