Reading for Understanding PDF

Section 1 Key Ideas BEFORE, YOU LEARNED NOW YOU WILL LEARN The Crusades helped to expand trade between A movement known as humanism stressed the Europe and Asia. New political ideas developed in importance of individu...

Section 1 Key Ideas BEFORE, YOU LEARNED NOW YOU WILL LEARN The Crusades helped to expand trade between A movement known as humanism stressed the Europe and Asia. New political ideas developed in importance of individuals. During the Italian medieval England. Renaissance, artists, writers, and scientists made many advances. Vocabulary TERMS & NAMES BACKGROUND VOCABULARY humanism way of thought that focuses on setbacks changes from better to worse human beings and their potential for achievement instability not constant or dependable Renaissance rebirth of creativity, literature, and masterpieces outstanding works of art, learning in Europe from about 1300 to 1600 especially an artist’s greatest works patrons wealthy or powerful people who provide money, support, and encouragement to an artist or a cause perspective technique used by artists to give the appearance of depth and distance Leonardo da Vinci Italian Renaissance painter and scientist Michelangelo Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, and architect Visual Vocabulary Duomo Duomo domed cathedral in Florence Reading Strategy Re-create the web diagram shown at right. As FIND MAIN IDEAS you read and respond to the KEY QUESTIONS, use the diagram to help you list Renaissance Painting Main Idea: Engineering achievements in various artistic fields. Renaissance Achievements See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R3. Literature GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS Go to Interactive Review @ ClassZone.com 498 Chapter 17 The Italian Starting with a Story Imagine you are a Renaissance Renaissance painter trying to please a wealthy patron. ##LICK LICK HHERE ERE to listen to the story Connect to What You Know Your favorite movies or music @ ClassZone.com are part of the arts. So too are painting, sculpture, literature, and architecture. In this chapter, you will learn about one of the most significant eras of artistic advancement in European history. European Society Changes KEY QUESTION What events helped bring an end to feudalism? Under feudalism, hundreds of small kingdoms existed in Europe. This began to change with the development of England and France as nations during the 1100s and 1200s. As a result, individual lords and landowners lost much of their power. The feudal way of life also suffered setbacks during the 1300s. The deadly plague reduced the number of serfs. With fewer serfs to work the land, the feudal system weakened. The Hundred Years’ War marked the end of the age of chivalry. The development of weapons that could pierce armor made knights ineffective. Trade with Asia This As the feudal system faded, European cities continued to ceramic bowl came from grow. This growth resulted from the expansion of trade and the Mongol Empire that Marco Polo visited. ▼ the development of a strong merchant class. The rise of the Mongol Empire made trade routes between Europe and China safer. This led to an increase in trade along the routes in the 1200s. Around 1300, the Italian trader Marco Polo published the story of his long journey through Asia. His tales of great riches encouraged European merchants to increase their trade with Asia. The growth of trade with Asia opened Europeans up to a host of new goods and ideas. SUMMARIZE Describe the events that brought an end to feudalism. 499  New Ways of Thinking KEY QUESTION How did humanism differ from the beliefs of the Middle Ages? The events of the late Middle Ages had a great effect on many Europeans. Those who survived the years of plague and war wanted to celebrate and enjoy life. Meanwhile, the growth of trade introduced more people to new goods and ideas. As a result, new attitudes spread across Europe and helped to create new ways of thinking. Revival of Classical Learning The end of the Middle Ages brought new energy to learning in Europe. As you recall, education had declined during the Middle Ages. This decline was due largely to the war and political instability that had disrupted society. By the 1200s, however, people had grown eager once again to gain knowledge and understanding. Classical Writers To achieve greater knowledge, many people turned to the In the late Middle Ages, past. They revived the classical ideas of Greece and Rome. They scholars studied the studied a variety of texts from these earlier civilizations in the works of Greek and hope of learning from the great thinkers of the past. Roman authors. This illustrated manuscript The Growth of Humanism The study of classical texts contains the text of a work by Livy, an impor- and ideas led to a movement known as humanism. Humanism tant Roman historian. ▼ was a way of thought that focused on human beings and their potential for achievement. It stressed the study of such classical subjects as history, grammar, literature, and philosophy. The goals of humanism was to create well-rounded individuals and to encourage people to achieve all they could in life. The early leader of the humanist movement was an Italian poet and scholar named Petrarch. He was one of the first thinkers to stress the value of classical learning, or the teachings of Greece and Rome. He worked to find and restore the works of many important Greek and Roman writers. In fact, scholars believe that such significant Latin writers as Cicero and Livy might be unknown today if Petrarch had not dug up their lost works buried in monastery libraries. 500 Chapter 17 Humanist Thought Humanism stressed the importance of the individual. This way of thinking differed greatly from that of the Middle Ages—which placed kings and institutions such as the Church above everything else. Humanism also promoted a balance between intellect and religious faith. Humanist thinkers continued to stress the importance of leading a Christian life. However, they challenged people to think for themselves rather than look to the Church for every answer. They also taught that people could enjoy life and still be good Christians. This teaching differed from earlier beliefs that one had to avoid life’s pleasures in order to please God. A New Age of Creativity Humanism helped to strengthen a growing desire among people to experiment, explore, and create. An explosion of creativity, learning, and discovery began on the Italian peninsula and gradually spread throughout Europe. This movement signaled the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of a new era. ▲ Humanist Leader The early humanist leader Petrarch helped COMPARE Explain how humanism differed from the beliefs of the to preserve the work of Middle Ages. classical writers. The Renaissance Begins in Italy KEY QUESTION What factors helped make Italy the birthplace of the Renaissance? As you just read, Europe experienced a growth of cities and trade along with an increased focus on learning and human achievement. All of these changes led to a movement known as the Renaissance. The term Renaissance means “rebirth.” It refers to the rebirth of classical art and learning that took place during this time. However, Renaissance writers and artists also created new styles and ways of thinking. The Renaissance began around 1300 in Italy. By 1600, it had spread to all of Europe. Growth of Independent Trading Cities The Renaissance began in Italy for several reasons. For one thing, Italy had been the center of the Roman Empire. As a result, artists and writers in Italy did not have to go far to revive the styles from this classical period. The Renaissance and Reformation 501  Another advantage for Italy was its cities. Many of the ▲ Classical Era trade routes that developed between Europe and Asia during Reborn School of Athens, a painting this period went through northern Italy. As a result, several by Renaissance artist large urban centers developed in the region. They included Raphael, portrays many Florence, Venice, and Milan. Cities became the main places famous Greek thinkers. In the center of the for exchanging different goods and ideas. Thus, they were painting, Plato wears a ideal locations for creating new styles and for spreading red robe and Aristotle Renaissance ideas. wears a blue robe. A wealthy merchant class developed in many Italian cities. Many of its members became influential leaders who actively supported the arts. This support is one reason that Italian cities produced so many artists and writers. Florence Shines One of the most important and influential cities of the early Renaissance was Florence. Florence is located in northern Italy along the Arno River. It gained importance as a center of banking and clothing production. The growth of banking brought Florence great wealth. By the early 1300s, Florence had a population of around 120,000—making it one of the largest cities in Europe. Many artists and writers who made notable contributions to the Renaissance lived and worked in Florence. A powerful banking family, the Medici (MEHD uh CHEE), ruled Florence during the Renaissance. The Medici and other wealthy families became patrons of the arts. As patrons, they encouraged artists to create and supported them financially. Such support enabled artists to devote their time to creating their works. FIND MAIN IDEAS Describe what made Italy the birthplace of the Renaissance. 502 Chapter 17