Transcript Renaissance
What was the Renaissance? • “Rebirth” • Time in Europe following Middle Ages • People begin to view themselves differently- learning, interested in present day life, focus on individual achievement • New spirit of adventure- explorers, science, art, writing Timeline to Renaissance Beginning of Time Height of Roman Empire Fall of Roman Empire Dark Ages Medieval Period Humanism-Focus on human activities / control LEADS TO: • •Intellectual and Economic Changes during the 14th-16thCenturies • •Growth of the merchant class • •Resurgence of the city • Revival of Classical Learning Humanism •3 main Greek & Roman ideas: •Improvement through study & reflection •Commitment to public service •Life long learning (Well Rounded) Intellectual Changes • Education increases • •Humanists-Concern with the Greek & Roman Classics • •Art & Architecture developed • •View of the world changed • •Decline of religion • •Increased understanding of the world Economic Changes • • • • • Demand for goods and services increases •Manufacturing centered in towns & cities •Bankers & moneychangers grew wealthy •Increased focus on education •Math, Reading, & Culture Growth of Merchant Class • Merchant & Commercial Class grew in power • •More wealth=more influence • •Promoted education and understanding of the world Italy and the Renaissance • • • • • • Movement begins on Italian Peninsula Why?? Recapture glory of Rome Wealthy cities- Florence, Milan, Venice Trading Center Spread north through trade, war, word of mouth Renaissance People • Niccolo Machiavelli – Italian, wrote “The Prince”, meant to be ruler’s guide to uniting peninsula- remembered as dictator’s playbook William Shakespeare English Playwright, stories deal with basic human emotions- don’t change over time Leonardo Da Vinci- “Renaissance Man” Inventor, Scientist, Artist, Sculptor Renaissance People • Johann GutenbergGerman, Printing Press = cheaper books, more available, literacy rates rise, ideas / knowledge spread Leonardo Da Vinci “Renaissance Man” Inventor Scientist Artist Sculptor Scientific Revolution • Renaissance looked to past / religion for ideas, solutions • Eventually people look to science to lead to human progress • Challenge previously held notions / authority • Everything must be proven! Up to this time… • Beliefs of Ancient Greeks / Catholic church dominated thought- based on observation / faith • Aristotle / Ptolemy- earth is center of universe, heavens fixed in place, natural order to the world, four elements= earth, water, fire, air • Church- Predestination, God’s order • Ideas combined, answers all questions- no need to think Examples • Nicolaus Copernicus- “heliocentric theory” of universe, contradicts church teachings • Galileo Galilei- Develops telescopesupports Copernicus, challenges church teaching that heavens were fixed in placeput on trial by church Inquisition • Newton- Gravity Revolution in Thought • Cannot reach conclusion and then find evidence to fit, evidence must lead to conclusion • Rene Descartes: “I think, therefore I am”, challenges church view of the world • Francis Bacon: Practical use for sciencetechnology to make life better Not everyone agreed… • "This would be as if somebody were riding on a cart or in a ship and imagined that he was standing still while the earth and the trees were moving”- Martin Luther’s criticism of the heliocentric theory Impacts • Secular – Religious battle goes on • Apply to other areas- anatomy, animals, exploration, government, technology • Age of human progress begins- seek scientific solutions to problems and to improve the world ( rather than relying on God or the past) • Leads to industrial revolution- machines created to mass produce goods = continued progress in standard of living