Content Summary:
The Big Picture:
"Major changes in Europe caused the medieval period to give way to a new, more lively period. As trade with the East increased, Europeans rediscovered the classical knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome. This knowledge led to a period of creativity and learning called the Renaissance. A new focus on the individual emerged, contributing to new ideas about religion. These ideas caused a struggle in Christianity known as the Reformation." (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
Historical Theme: Migration and Diffusion:
The movement and displacement of people following the Black Plague and Crusades encouraged the development of a more globalized culture. In this unit, you will discover how ideas impacted cultural and religious change in Europe after the Middle Ages. (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
Causes of the Renaissance:
Causes of the Reformation:
During this period of study, we will cover the following subtopics:
1. The Italian Renaissance
In Italy the growth of wealthy trading cities and new ways of thinking led to a rebirth of the arts and learning known as the Renaissance.
- Use of perspective
- Influence of classical Greece and Rome
- Beauty, balance, and harmony
2. The Northern Renaissance
Trade and printing helped spread the Renaissance beyond Italy to Northern Europe, where it affected artists and writers in many ways. By 1500, the growth of cities in Europe was magnified. Trade flowing to and from cities, brought with it, the idea of the Renaissance. Soon the movement by Italian artisans spread to cities as far north as London. Leaders of the Northern Renaissance include Johannes Gutenberg, Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, William Shakespeare, Christine de Pisan, Albrecht Durer, Jan van Eyck, and Petrarch. (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
3. The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a response to criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation led to changes in politics as well as religion. (Hillerbrand, 1968)
4. The Counter-Reformation
Many Catholics recognized the need for reform of the Church, and their work renewed the faith of Catholics. (Hillerbrand, 1968)
Sources:
Hillerbrand, H. J. (1968). The Protestant Reformation, ([1st ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
Myers, P. (2007). The Renaissance. Medieval and Modern History (pp. 251-274). Boston: Gin and Company. (Original work published 1905)
Ramírez, S. E., Stearns, P. N., Wineburg, S. S., & Goldberg, S. A. (2008). Renaissance and Reformation. Holt world history: human legacy (pp. 434-463). Austin, Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
"Major changes in Europe caused the medieval period to give way to a new, more lively period. As trade with the East increased, Europeans rediscovered the classical knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome. This knowledge led to a period of creativity and learning called the Renaissance. A new focus on the individual emerged, contributing to new ideas about religion. These ideas caused a struggle in Christianity known as the Reformation." (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
Historical Theme: Migration and Diffusion:
The movement and displacement of people following the Black Plague and Crusades encouraged the development of a more globalized culture. In this unit, you will discover how ideas impacted cultural and religious change in Europe after the Middle Ages. (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
Causes of the Renaissance:
- Increased trade with Asia and other regions as a result of the Crusades
- Growth of large, wealthy city-states in Italy
- Renewed interest in the classical learning on ancient Greece and Rome
- Rise of rich and powerful merchants, who became patrons of the arts
- Increased desire for scientific and technical knowledge
- Desire to beautify cities
Causes of the Reformation:
- Decentralization of European societies (rise of the Nation-state)
- Negative view of Catholic leadership as a result of the Black Death
- Weaknesses in the Catholic Church including dueling papacies in Avignon and Rome
- Corruption of the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences and simony
- Scientific developments that contradicted Church doctrine
During this period of study, we will cover the following subtopics:
1. The Italian Renaissance
In Italy the growth of wealthy trading cities and new ways of thinking led to a rebirth of the arts and learning known as the Renaissance.
- What is it?
- What are the key characteristics?
- Use of perspective
- Influence of classical Greece and Rome
- Beauty, balance, and harmony
- Why is it important?
2. The Northern Renaissance
Trade and printing helped spread the Renaissance beyond Italy to Northern Europe, where it affected artists and writers in many ways. By 1500, the growth of cities in Europe was magnified. Trade flowing to and from cities, brought with it, the idea of the Renaissance. Soon the movement by Italian artisans spread to cities as far north as London. Leaders of the Northern Renaissance include Johannes Gutenberg, Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, William Shakespeare, Christine de Pisan, Albrecht Durer, Jan van Eyck, and Petrarch. (Ramirez, Stearns, Wineburg, 2008)
3. The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a response to criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation led to changes in politics as well as religion. (Hillerbrand, 1968)
4. The Counter-Reformation
Many Catholics recognized the need for reform of the Church, and their work renewed the faith of Catholics. (Hillerbrand, 1968)
Sources:
Hillerbrand, H. J. (1968). The Protestant Reformation, ([1st ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
Myers, P. (2007). The Renaissance. Medieval and Modern History (pp. 251-274). Boston: Gin and Company. (Original work published 1905)
Ramírez, S. E., Stearns, P. N., Wineburg, S. S., & Goldberg, S. A. (2008). Renaissance and Reformation. Holt world history: human legacy (pp. 434-463). Austin, Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.