Renaissance: Birthplace, Art, and Architecture

• Renaissance means rebirth of Greek and Roman knowledge/learning and art.

Birthplace of the Renaissance

• Italy, specifically the Italian peninsula, was the birthplace of the Renaissance.
• The Crusades encouraged the development of knowledge by exposing Europeans to Greek, Roman, mathematics, and sciences.
• Trade during the Crusades for silks and fabrics also contributed to the Renaissance.
• The fall of Constantinople in 1453 led to Byzantine scholars fleeing to Western Europe, bringing their knowledge.
• Italy's location between Western and Eastern Europe made it ideal for spreading ideas through trade.
• Key city-states included Florence (wool trade), Venice (sea trade), Milan (monarchy), and the Papal States (controlled by the Pope).
• Italy had a wealthy merchant class.

Changes in Art and Architecture

• Art became more realistic with sculptures and paintings of real people and religious images.
• Humanism emerged as a belief in man's beauty, worth, and dignity, encouraging a focus on enjoying life.
• Humanism developed as the Church's influence declined, emphasizing individuals created by God.

Gutenberg's Printing Press

• Invented during the Renaissance by Johannes Gutenberg, increasing the spread of Renaissance ideas.
• Decreased the price and time of printing, increasing knowledge as written materials were more widespread.
• Made learning more accessible to the middle class.
• The Latin/English alphabet with 23 letters made printing easier than the Chinese alphabet.

Key Figures of the Renaissance

• DaVinci: A "Renaissance man" known for talent and expression of classical values. Famous works include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, known for the relationship between figures.
• Michelangelo: Drew inspiration from the human body (Hellenism) and was a dominant sculptor, creating Pieta and David. Also painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
• Shakespeare: Integrated Renaissance beliefs into theater by focusing on characters with psychological complexity.
• Machiavelli: A political theorist, famous for political ideas in "The Prince" and "The Discourses of Livy".

Protestant Reformation

• Ended religious unity and a universal church in the West.
• A protest against the Catholic Church led to a new group of Christians called Protestants.
• The Protestant Reformation is part of the Renaissance period and embraces humanism.
• The original group was Roman Catholics, the first breakaways were Eastern Orthodox and the second breakaways were the Protestants.

Issues with the Catholic Church

• Charges of personal greed within the Church.
• Challenges to its secular power, as reformers believed the Church should only focus on religious matters.
• Conflict between humanism and the Catholic concept of original sin.
• Sale of indulgences was a major complaint, referring to the Pope taking bribes.
• Martin Luther was called a heretic for accusing the Church of giving out Indulgences.
• Church became defensive about Criticism.
• Church leaders initially dismissed Martin Luther, but his ideas spread.

Martin Luther

• From Germany, disagreed with the Catholic Church.
• Luther wrote the 95 Theses against the Church, advocating for humanism, particularly regarding indulgences.
• Luther did not initially intend to destroy the Church but wanted to change some practices.
• Luther was threatened and excommunicated but continued to write and spread his ideas.

King Henry VIII

• King Henry tried to decrease the Pope’s influence in England.
• Desired to decrease the Pope's influence in England for political reasons, tried to make the king more powerful than the pope.
• Established the Anglican Church with the king as its head after the Pope would not allow Henry to divorce Catherine, increasing the king's power.

John Calvin

• He was from Switzerland and a religious scholar who disagreed with the Catholic Church.
• Calvin wrote about his ideas on Christianity, he believed that the Bible was the only REAL source of religion
• He believed in predestination, that God has already decided who will go to heaven/hell.
• Followers came to be known as CALVANISM which was strict to follow with a focus on working or praying.

Spread of Protestant Christianity

• Lutheranism: Started in Wittenberg then went to Worms, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, and Norway.
• Calvinism: Started in Geneva then went to Scotland, Netherlands, France, England, and some German states.
• Key Protestant Groups:*
  • Martin Luther: Lutheranism (Germany)
  • King Henry VIII: Anglicanism (England)
  • John Calvin: Calvinism (Switzerland)

Catholic Response

• The Catholic Church launched the Counter-Reformation (Catholic Reformation) to retain loyal Catholics.
• "Reforming Popes" led the reform.
• The Council of Trent addressed issues raised by the Protestants.

European Exploration (15th Century)

• Triggered by the Ottoman Muslims capturing Constantinople in 1453, disrupting land trade routes between Europe and Asia.
• Europeans sought sea routes to access trade with India and China and to bypass Muslim control.
• Motivations: Wealth, the Silk Road, and removing Muslims from the middle.

Technological Advances Aiding Exploration

• Magnetic Compass: Provided accurate direction independent of weather conditions.
• Caravel: A ship with square and triangular sails allowing for greater maneuverability.

Columbian Exchange

• Triggered by Christopher Columbus' discovery of America.
• Involved exchange of new products between Europe and the Americas.
• The New World (Americas) introduced beans, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and pineapple.
• The Old World (Europe) introduced rice, chicken, peaches, and grapes.
• Both trade of animals, plants, and the spread of diseases.

Triangular Trade

• Involved Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
• Europe sent manufactured goods (guns, clothing) to Africa.
• Africa traded slaves to the Americas.
• America sent raw materials to Europe.