THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

Do Now:Read Section 1

SummaryAnswer questions 1

& 2

What does “Renaissance” mean to you?

How does this quote help you to determine the meaning of the Renaissance?

“This century, like a golden age has restored to light the liberal arts, which were almost extinct: grammar, poetry, rhetoric, painting, sculpture, architecture, music… What a glorious time to be alive.”

DO NOW

• 1300, Black Death, starvation, warfare had overtaken Europe

• Catastrophic events, enormous loss of life led to changes of the 1300s

• Decrease in population led to:– Increase in food production–Decline in food prices–More money to spend–Specialization in products

CHANGES IN SOCIETY

As the plague disappeared, populations grew

created a new demand for goods and services.

A new middle class began to emerge: bankers, merchants, and trades people once again had a market for their goods and services.

New middle class – flaunted $$Art, literature, big fancy homes, clothes, exotic food

THE PLAGUE'S EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY

Began in city-states of northern Italy

Spread to northern Europe & Spain

Renewed interest in the classics – ancient Greece and Rome

Rediscovered knowledge that was lost during the Middle Ages

SPIRIT OF THE RENAISSANCE

The middle-class - leisure time spent on education and entertainment.

education became essential for many middle-class professions. Bankers & accountants - arithmetic. trading with other countries - needed to know foreign currencies

& languages. Reading was essential for anyone who needed to understand a

contract. middle-class men and women enjoyed

reading for pleasure, learning to play musical instruments, and studying a variety of topics unrelated to their

businesses.

EDUCATION FOR MIDDLE CLASS

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RENAISSANCE

Individuals formed a confidence to shape their own lives

Stressed the importance of individual achievement

Stimulated creative spirit – revolutionized the arts and the world of learning in Western Europe

EXIT TICKET

• What changes in society and in cities stimulated the beginning of the Renaissance?

• What ideas formed the foundation of the Italian Renaissance?

• What contributions did artists make to the Renaissance?

DO NOW: IN YOUR NOTES

We use the term “Renaissance person” to describe someone

who has a wide range of knowledge or skills. Identify

an American public figure that you consider to be a

Renaissance person. Write a paragraph defending your

choice! 6-8 sentences.