Transcript Manors
The Renaissance Begins What was the Renaissance? A rebirth of art and learning in Europe between 1300 and 1600; began in Italy and spread north What was Europe like before the Renaissance? During the Middle Ages, Europe was divided into “feudal” kingdoms MIDDLE AGES • • AKA “medieval period”- 500 to 1300 in Europe Characteristics: • Devotion to God • Powerful Roman Catholic Church • Strict social structure MAP ON ROMAN EMPIREBefore Feudalism ISLAM EXPANSION FEUDALISM: Causes Political and economic system that emerged after the fall of Rome in 476 AD After Rome fell, there was much chaos and competition for land throughout Europe People looked to wealthy landowners and the Church (Catholic) for leadership and safety Church united people and was very powerful FEUDALISM: Characteristics Noble, or “lord”, divided his land among lesser lords, “vassals” or “knights” (see handout) In return for land and protection, lesser lords and peasants served in the lord’s military People lived on self-sufficient manors- large estates that included farmland and were often fortified Manors were the main economic unit Emphasis on religion (Catholic) and chivalry (code of honor) EUROPE IN 1100 Why was the feudal era known as the “Dark Ages” People in Europe were isolated from each other since it was unsafe to leave their manors and they had no need to. • People focused more on protection than art and learning, so art and learning fell into decline • WHY DID FEUDALISM DECLINE? Complete on Step Diagram STEP #1 The “Black Death” (bubonic plague) killed 1/3 of the population STEP #2 Peasants revolted and demanded more freedom STEP #3 England and France fought the Hundred Years’ War power of monarchs (kings, queens) grew STEP #4 Status began to be determined by wealth and ability, not birthright STEP #5 Europeans began to question the Church’s authority and social structure The decline of feudalism paved the way for the development of the Renaissance Why did the Renaissance begin? Complete on Step Diagram STEP #1 Scholars and artists looked to art and writing from ancient Greece and Rome for guidance STEP #2 Merchants dominated politics in Italian city-states STEP #3 Patron families, such as the Medici of Florence, used their profits to support arts and learning STEP #4 The Crusades- “holy wars” Christian Europeans fought to try to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims Europeans became aware of the riches of the “East” and eager to learn more about the world outside Europe STEP #5 RENAISSANCE- “Rebirth”- an explosion of art and learning began in Italy in 1300, and spread north throughout Europe