Transcript Chapter 5: Renaissance & Reformation 5.1 The Renaissance

The Renaissance &
Reformation
Chapter 5: Renaissance & Reformation
5.1 The Renaissance
1. The Italian
Renaissance
A. Renaissance
-”Rebirth”
-Began in Italy
moved North via
Europe
B. Characteristics of Renaissance Italy
1. Urban Society (Secular Viewpoint)
2. Renewed Interest in Ancient
Cultures
3. Individuals should be capable of
achievements in many areas
4. Upper Classes more accepting of
Renaissance ideas but these new
ideas did impact ordinary people
A. Italy had no central ruler (independent
city states)
B. City States that played important roles in
politics
1. Milan: Visconti family rules until 1447
after Francesco Sforza. Both built a
strong centralized state with a efficient
tax system.
2. Venice: Link between Asia and Europe
(international power because of its
trade), (government run by a group of
wealthy merchants)
3. Florence: The Medici family controlled
the city (cultural center of Italy)
The Italian States
C. The Italian
Wars:
1. King Charles VIII (France) sent 30,000 troops to
Italy and occupied Naples
2. Northern Italy appeals to Spain for help (Spain
helps yet, fights the French for Italy for the next 30
years)
3. Spanish troops and mercenaries (1527) had not
been paid so they loot Rome (ends the Italian Wars
leaving Spain a dominate force in Italy)
Niccolo Machiavelli
*Wrote The Prince
(main thesis: how
to acquire and
keep political
power---must
abandon morality
as a basis for
political power)
Renaissance Society
A. Nobility
(Second Estate):
2-3% of the
population who
dominate society
and held all
important political
post
Baldassare Castiglone
*Wrote The Book of the
Courtier
*Book describes the
characteristics of the
perfect Renaissance
noble (noble’s purpose
was to serve his prince in
a effective and honest
way)
Peasants & Townspeople
*Third Estate
*85-90% of the
population
*Middle class to
poor
Family & Marriage
*Parents arranged marriages to
strengthen business or family ties
*Marriage contract included a dowry
*Father/husband managed all finances
and made all decisions concerning his
children’s lives
*Mother supervised the household
yet, did not share in the wealth
*Children do not become adults until
their father formally freed them before
a judge