Transcript City-states

The Renaissance Begins 17-1 1350-1550
Wealthy Italian city-states brought a rebirth of learning & Art
After the Black Death, Europeans looked back to the past which
seemed better. A rebirth of interests studied by Greeks & Romans
Renaissance stressed the important of the individual
Believed the individual could make a difference in the world
Religion- people still very religious/ some secular or worldly
Why Italy? 1. Center of Roman Empire
2. Greco –Roman art left in Italy and Sicily
3. Wealthy (afford to pay $ for painting, sculpture
4. Important Renaissance cities were Florence, Venice,
Genoa, Milan, Rome
Wealthy nobles & merchant hired artists to produce works
that increase the fame of their cites.
City-states
City-states = independent / urban (greater pop than country)
Italy was not united, Catholic Church feared a strong ruler
Italian city-states gain wealth through trade & banking
City-states loaned money to European Kings = left alone
Geography = coastline and ports for trade w/ N. Africa,
Ottoman Empires, Byzantines, Turks & Arabs, China, India
Crusades = brought Italians in contact w/ Arab merchants
The Mongol Empire united Asia into vast trading
network (encourage trade)
Florence
Famous during Renaissance for art, wealth, & their clothes
Expert bankers = money lenders w/ interests
Riches family = Medici w/ bank offices as far as London
Venice
Wealthiest city-state of all / great sailors & ship builders
Built 100 ships in two months to ward off Turks (colony)
Few roads = canals
The Urban Noble
European noble gained wealth from land (Estates) not trade.
The Urban Noble - lived in cities, gained wealth from trade
Wealthy merchants copied lifestyles of Noble families
Eventually, old nobles and wealthy merchant families blended
together to become upper class of the city-state
Florence– Lorenzo de’ Medici “the Magnificent” 1469-1492
Used wealth & power to support artists, architectures, writers
Politics – prevent poor from rebelling & other wealthy
families from seizing power