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Explore the transition from feudalism to Humanism during the Renaissance era, covering factors influencing this shift, impact on society and culture, and the rise of human-centered thinking in art and literature.
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World History Unit 3 Renaissance
Cultural and Intellectual Thought Before the Renaissance • Dominated by Christianity • Dominated by Feudalism-political, economic, and social structure • Greek and Roman culture essentially forgotten • Dominated by concerns for: • Salvation • Territorial disputes • Black Death • Lack of Education outside monasteries • Small scale trade
Factors Influencing Shift Toward Renaissance • Crusades exposed Europe to the global world and advanced civilizations—scholasticism exposure to rest of world and Europe’s past • Byzantine and Islamic cultures preserved the past adding the knowledge of math and science Countries unified under centralization • Increased trade fueled further contact and learning • Universities became centers of learning • Other major movements emerged in addition to the Renaissance—the Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment
Shifts in Thought • Europe was no longer backward, isolated, self-involved, self-sufficient region on edge of world • Desire to become dominant civilization grew • Exploration and expansion grew from shift in thought • Not quick or in equal proportions • Took long time to penetrate all circles • Guarded jealously by people with power • Peasants didn’t participate—no education or position to learn about it—lack of opportunity
RENAISSANCE • Means the rebirth of Greek and Roman culture • Lasted approximately 1300-1600 A.D.
Why the Renaissance? • Demand for labor high • Demand for products high • Population began to increase after Black Death • People moved to cities • Middle, or Merchant Class, emerged—bankers, merchants, traders, etc. • Huge influx of coined money
Why the Renaissance? • Interactions with Muslim world continued while Byzantine Empire was severely weakening • Italian city-states became very rich supplying and transporting goods (Milan, Venice, and Florence) • Increased wealth and new opportunities for material achievement in growing urban societies • Scholars uncovered lost and forgotten Greek and Roman written works • Located on former ruins • Would encourage competition amongst growing European powers
HUMANISM • Focus on human endeavor—non-religious thinking and action • Previously life was useless and goal was heaven—suck it up now for heaven awaits • Shift in thinking from afterlife to here and now • Focus on individuals meant less focus on institutions such as the Church
HUMANISM • Historical texts were revisited with focus on personal accomplishments and personal happiness—Greek and Roman literature has tons of examples • “Renaissance Man” emerged—Leonardo da Vinci—artist (painter & sculptor), scientist, musician, architect, engineer, inventor, mathematician • Writings and art began to reflect humanism • Power of church declined during the Renaissance
Characteristics of Renaissance Art • Themes became more secular rather than religious • Subjects were popes, monarchs, merchants, Greek and Roman deities, contemporary events • Human figures were more realistic due to increased study of human anatomy • Used perspective—three dimensional • Began using oil paints
Rebirth in Arts • Wealthy families in city-states patronized the arts—Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? • Human figure is realistic—3 dimensional, use of shadows to illuminate • Linear perspective—focal point • Embraced by Roman Church • Art adorned palaces and cathedrals • Huge domes • Spread northward • Greater variety of colors—due to trade and exposure
Renaissance Writing • Johannes Gutenberg’s Printing Press with moveable type—made printing books much easier • Prior to printing press and Renaissance was little need for books—no one to read them • Previously invented by Song Dynasty in China who gained knowledge from Korea—was Gutenberg aware? • Ease of printing made it cheaper and able to be mass produced in other languages other than Latin • The Bible was the first book mass produced by the printing press and was spread in other languages other than Latin for the first time
Renaissance Writing • Middle class becoming more educated, demanding more books, increased demand for paper from Arabs and Chinese • Helped spread Protestant Reformation views • Other books printed were mainly for entertainment purposes focusing on daily lives of people (the Vernacular) • The Prince by Machiavelli—self-interest more important than morals (how to keep political power) • Utopia by Sir Thomas Moore—ideal society • Works of Shakespeare focused on humanism—human faults, strengths, tragedy, comedy, and classical world—Julius Caesar, etc.
