Renaissance Guided Notes
The Middle Ages…Or The Dark Ages (700AD-1400ADish)
- A precursor to the Renaissance, the Middle Ages set the stage for the explosion of ideas that was about to occur IN EUROPE.
- During this time, the church and religious beliefs dominated European lives, and society was broken up by a hats6l2335
- feudal structure, with lords and landowners at the top, and peasants and serfs at the bottom.
- life was spent preparing for the afterlife; religion was dictated by the church and not open for interpretation.
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Why were they so dark?
- Death was common and sometimes inexplicable
- Peasant life was dirty, not a lot of rights, dangerous
- Things that weren’t great: hygiene, medicine, technology, food
- Life was tough for most people
- Life was very restrictive in terms of roles
- People began to question their faith when they didn’t have an explanation for the difficulties of life
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The Islamic Golden Age
While the Middle Ages were not that exciting in Europe, there was a lot happening in the Middle East - in fact, many of the ideas that started the Renaissance came from the Middle East.
| What things came from the Middle East?Indian numerals (1, 2, 3, …)UniversityOptometryMedical advancesStudy of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy/ideas | Video: The Middle Ages in 3 ½ minutes \n \n |
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To Recap:
- The Middle Ages started with the fall of the Roman Empire. Without this massive empire providing government, law and stability across Europe, local lords started to compete with each other to gain territory and become ruler (or king) over more and more land. Sound familiar?
- In this process, a feudal system was created and Catholicism became a powerful religion backed by the Church. People in Europe based their lives around making sure the afterlife was good.
- Meanwhile, the Middle East was technologically ahead of Europe and had saved many of the ancient Greeks ideas to continue to build off of.
- But the Middle East was mostly Muslim, which clashed with Christianity. This led to the Crusades.
- But out of this interaction (albeit negative), came the growth and exchange of goods and ideas. Things like the Silk Road couriered goods and ideas across Europe and Asia.
- Technology started to advance in Europe too. Books began to be published and reading actually became a thing! People had all these new ideas to learn AND a place to read about them!
- But with all this interaction came a disease called The Plague. Millions of people died.
- With all that death, people prayed, thinking it would solve the problem…but it didn’t. This led to people questioning the church and more of a focus on the life being lived rather than the afterlife.
- This led to a birth of new ideas, new ways of living and a new worldview: The Renaissance
Slide 9
Feudalism…Again
Watch the video and write down the vocab words highlighted as the narrator speaks. Jot down a couple notes if you can.
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| Government: Feudal System | Feudal System: System of organizing society based on a person's power
| Lord: A landowner who grants land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and services | Peasants: The working class of the feudal system who farmed the land in exchange for protection | Manor: The estate of a lord, including the lord's house, surrounding lands, and the village where the peasants lived | Church: The religious institution that played a central role in the feudal system, often owning land and holding significant influence | Barons: Powerful nobles who held large estates and supported the king in exchange for greater power and authority | Soldiers: Individuals who served in the military to protect the land and people in the feudal system | Firstborn: The eldest child in a family, typically inheriting the family estate and titles | Dynasty: A succession of rulers from the same family or line who maintain power for generations | Bishop: A high-ranking church official who oversees a group of churches in a diocese | Tax: Mandatory payments made by individuals or organizations to support government functions | Shield Money: Payments made by vassals to their lord as a symbol of loyalty and service in lieu of military duty | Kings: The highest-ranking rulers in the feudal system, overseeing the entire kingdom and delegating power to lower-ranking nobles.
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What is the source of POWER in this situation (THINK: What do you need to be powerful?)?
The source of power came from how much land you had or how high you were on the feudal system. Power usually comes from your god given right (being born in royalty or in a social rank).
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Does that source of power reflect society’s values of the Middle Ages?
Yes because people lower on the feudal system would be treated very badly while people higher on the feudal system were treated much better.
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Why do you think such an organized social structure was so common?
Such a feudal system was organized and set in place because there wasn’t really a good system and people just went along with it.
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The World Today:
Q: But we don't have feudalism, so, why do you think the world looks like this?
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What are some examples of hierarchies in today’s world? What relationships exist that are similar to those that existed in the Middle Ages (ie: Boss to employee OR Commander to soldier)?
Hierarchies are systems where people or things are ranked above and below others. They exist everywhere in the current world and in the past, from the human body to the political systems, family trees, and human needs. In the middle ages, the feudal system was used in many places, for instance, connecting back to the Edo period of Japan, they used the feudal system too.
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Do some research:
| What are some of North America's wealthiest occupations? \n Healthcare professionsLawEntrepreneurshipInvestment | What do these occupations say about North American values? \n That having these jobs make you better or higher ranked than others |
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Why do you think society seems to be based on a ‘pyramid’? Why isn’t it a square? What does it say about our values?
Society seems to be based like a pyramid because some are better than others because they are wealthier than others. Such values represent unequal distribution of power, wealth, and status among individuals. It is a reflection that social hierarchy exists in society, where some people are more privileged than others.
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The Crusades
The Beginning…
- At the turn of the 1st Century, a group of Turkish Muslims began moving into the Anatolian peninsula (modern day Turkey). Initially, this group welcomed all cultures, however in 1095, a new Muslim leader took control and kicked out the Jewish and Christian populations.
- A Christian emperor, Alexius I, controlled the peninsula. He appealed to the Pope to help him rid Anatolia of unbelievers
- The Crusades were religious wars.
Pope Urban II received Alexius’s call for assistance, but decided to use that call to advance a more ambitious plan.
- Jerusalem, on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the modern nation of Israel, is considered Holy Land_ to Christans, Jewish and Muslims, but in 1095, it was controlled by a Muslim empire.
- The message from Alexius presented Urban with an opportunity to retake the holy lands from the Muslims. The pope called for “War of the Cross” or Crusade, to retake the holy land from the unbelievers.
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Many men joined the Crusades to satisfy God’s will however many more joined to gain wealth from pillaging the Middle East. Knights were thrilled to go to battle, while peasants were jumping at the opportunity to gain wealth and power elsewhere.
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This is often referred to as an ideological war. Can you find other examples of those? What ideas were they about?
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Cold War between Russia and United States (Communism vs Capitalism)
War of Ideas, which is a confrontation among the ideologies that nations and political groups use to promote their domestic and foreign interests.
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| Examine the language being used in the Pope’s message. How is he portraying the Muslim empire? EvilDemon worshipingVile and disgustingBelow Christians - less thanSomething to fear \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n | Given how religious much of Europe was, how do you think this message was received?Seriously because the Pope used God to help persuade the people.Motivated to go on a crusade because lives revolved around religion and they were fearful of God’s punishment or going against God’s will.Scared because of the consequences they were being threatened with.Angry with the knowledge that the “vile race” was destroying their churches and killing their people. |
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| Do you see portrayals like this today? Or similar messages being put out into the world? Look at popular culture (movies, music) and media to see if you can find anything. List them below. In the movie Aladdin, the villains look different than the non-villains. For instance, Jafar, the main villain, has a long, thin face, a hooked nose, and a pointed beard, while Aladdin, the non-villain, has a rounder face, a straight nose, and a more youthful appearance. | |
| Examine the information above. How do you think the examples you found can affect people’s opinions? \n The portrayal of Aladdin in popular culture has been a topic that has been talked about. For instance, in the 1992 animated Aladdin, the street-market sellers of Agrabah were seen as greedy and untrustworthy. The 2019 live-action Aladdin was also criticized for its casting choices and cultural mistakes/inaccuracies. | The Crusades presented many opportunities to the peasant class. What opportunities can war present to people today? \n Opportunity to move, change classes, new jobs |
| **There were 4 official Crusades, but there has been war for a long time between the West and the East. How did the Crusades help shape the relationship between the West and East today, 800 years later?**The Crusades had a significant impact on the relationship between the West and the East. The Crusades had a higher presence of Chrstians in the Levant during the Middle Ages and led to the development of military orders. The Crusades also separated the East and West based on religious differences. |
Trade: The Silk Road
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Video Notes:
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- Network of routes that stretched from Europe to far east Asia
- Ideas and knowledge like religion was passed along from group to group
- Goods were traded without any direct contact (i.e. crossbow from Asia could make it to Europe without an Asian person traveling to Europe)
- Disease and germs were passed too
- Technology (new weapons, new navigational aids, new understanding of science, math ,etc.)
- Silk, spices, textiles/fabric, tea, weapons, technology, ideas, knowledge, print, medicine, goods (glassware, food products)
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| How can things like the Silk Road help spread things OTHER than goods?The Silk Road were connections of trade routes that connected to the East and West.It was not only used for the exchange of goods but also for the spread of ideas, culture, and religion. | What are things we have in Canada because of trade? \n Canada has an economy that relies heavily on trade.Historically, Canada has heavily relied on the export of raw materials, especially fish, fur, grain, and timber.Although, raw materials have declined as a percentage of Canada’s exports, while processed, fabricated, and manufactured goods have increased. |
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| \n \n Why does China want to re-establish something like the Silk Road? \n China wants to re-establish something like the Silk Road to increase its economic and political impact on the world. The new Silk Road is a massive infrastructure project that aims to connect China and Europe, Africa, and the Middle East through a connection of roads, railways, ports and other infrastructure projects. | \n \n What are some early lessons Canada learned about being prepared? \n Canada has learned that Canadians either pay with their defense with money now or with their lives later. |
| How did nations work together to create a vaccine? \n Share information with each other and provide each other with resources to be able to research about something. | How is the extreme demand for a vaccine creating conflict in the world? \n People are dying and becoming sicker and sicker everyday so countries and nations are quickly finding ways to create or research a vaccine. |
| Considering the Covid Vaccine supply and PPE early on in Covid, what are supply chains so vital in today’s world and what happens when they are disrupted? \n Supply chains can have a significant impact on the recovery from COVID-19. When the health-care system went into a crisis, it caused simultaneous supply and demand disruptions in global supply chains. |
The Black Plague (or The Black Death):
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Coming from a rat that was aboard a ship headed to Europe from Asia, The Black Plague killed almost half of Europe!!! Very little of what Europeans did had any effect. Things like quarantines were common and people had little understanding of what caused the virus. The most popular theories were that it was caused from ‘bad air’ OR it was a punishment from God.
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Do you see any similarities?
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| Black Plague \n The Black Plague was caused by a bacteria which was carried by fleas which infected rats then infected the humans. \n \n \n \n \n \n | Similarities \n **Both diseases spread rapidly and caused widespread panic and fear.**Both diseases caused economic disruption. | Covid-19 \n COVID-19 was caused by a virus. This plague was way less deadly than black plague because of our modern technology and responsiveness we have now. |
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| How can a pandemic (and loads of people dying) change how people in the Middle Ages lived and thought? \n People in the Middle Ages were fearful and panicked.This plague was new to them so they couldn’t find a way to cure it .Made people question their faith. | How has Covid-19 changed you? \n We were forced to isolate and stay in line to prevent the spread of the pandemic.This changed how our lives happened during this period. | How are we better prepared to handle a pandemic NOW than the world was during the Black Plague? \n We are MUCH more prepared to handle a pandemic than we were used to because ofTechnologyScientistsVaccinesAntibioticsMedicine |
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Humanism
Many believed the Black Plague was a punishment from God. When so many died and no relief was in sight, people began to question God since all their praying did not help defeat the plague. Out of this, a concept known as humanism began to take root. People started to believe they controlled their own fates.
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How do you think ideas like those in the image below started to change things in Europe?
That people started to actually investigate how to prevent and help things themselves instead of depending on a god or religion. To set their own destiny or fate.
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Do some thinking. Pick 8 things on this infographic and think of a real, tangible example that demonstrates that idea.
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- Humans are the result of unguided evolutionary change: We only evolutionize because of our studies and research, and not because of some guidance from a god.
- Each person has inherent worth and dignity: This is true because each person can think how they want to be, eventually leading to a personality**.**
- Science is the best way to understand the world as well as solve problems: Scientists and researchers have studied for millions of years to discover new things to help us better understand both good and bad things.
- Humanity is able to progress toward its highest ideals: If humanity tries and not replies with just religion itself, they are able to progress and come up with new solutions and inventions.
- The future comes with the yet-to-be-known: The future can be a concept but nobody will ever know what’s going to happen. So anything that’s impossible, is actually im-possible. (im possible)
- Our lives and the world are our lives and our alone: This is true, if we want to live longer. We must research more to get better at medicine.
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- Choices are best made when based on information and supported by responsibility: True because you need to support statements and opinions with evidence and information.
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5 Values of Humanism
- Individualism - Each individual has purpose and matters
- Secularism - Individual identity valued separate from any religious beliefs or affiliation.
- Curiosity - Sense of wonder and thirst for knowledge.
- Creativity - Lifelong desire and willingness to create and innovate.
- Creativity Logic/Rational Thought - Constant pursuit of evidential truth and logical reason to define and understand the world.
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Next: The Protestant Revolution and Martin Luther (Worksheet)
Also…The Numbers
⅓ -½ the population of Europe died (depending on where you were).
Q: What would happen to the economy with such a decrease of population?
THINK: What happened in Japan after the feudal wars stopped?
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If the population decreased significantly resources would be less tight and there would be more space for people on earth but there would be less people to keep the earth’s generation going and less people to take jobs. Especially scientists and researchers.
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The Economics of a Plague
The decrease in population allowed farmers to produce more food than they needed.
Food prices decreased, allowing people more money to spend on other things.
The demand for goods increased, allowing various areas of Europe to specialize in the products that were best suited to their environment.
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Enter Italy: Opportunity Knocks
Urban areas also began to flourish, particularly in Italy.
The territory that today makes up Italy was divided into several large city-states (sound familiar?).
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Protected from mountains in the north, and with easy access to sea routes to the Middle East, Italy was perfectly situated for this opportunity.
Using the map below, indicate what places in Canada specialize in. Feel free to use pictures OR words.
Once you’ve completed the map of Canada, think about the entire world - what do places specialize in? Find 5 countries from DIFFERENT CONTINENTS and indicate what they specialize in using words or images.
- Japan is known for its advanced technology and electronics industry.
- South Africa is known for its major production of mineral materials.
- Australia is known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife.
- Saudi Arabia is known for its huge oil reserves.
- Brazil is known for its major export of agricultural products.
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City States (because Italy wasn’t “Italy” yet)
The northern city-states of Venice, Milan, and Florence became bustling centers of commerce.
- In these city-states, the Catholic Church, nobles, merchants, and artisans dominated society.
- Merchants were often bankers acting as lenders, or traders who bought and sold goods.
- Artisans practiced crafts such as goldsmithing.
- Knowledge and appreciation of arts such as painting, sculpture, and architecture increased as nobles and merchants tried to show off their new wealth.
And so begins…The Renaissance
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Italian City States (driving the Renaissance)
Italy had 5 major City States:
- Milan - control of north trade routes through the Alps
- Venice - on the Adriatic Sea and a major port between Asia and Europe
- Florence - Controlled by the Medici’s (major patrons of the arts) and big in the textile trade.
- Genoa - Easy access to trade routes
- Rome - Catholic Church HQ
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All cities had access to trade routes connecting Europe with Middle Eastern markets and served as trading centers for the distribution of goods to Northern Europe. Now, do some research:
| City | Famous People Associated With City | Famous Monuments & Artistic contributions | What types of businesses/industries existed here? |
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| Milan | Fransesco Sforza | Milan Cathedral | Fashion and designBanking |
| Venice | Marco Polo | St. Mark’s Basilica | ShippingTrade |
| Florence | Dante Alighieri | The Florence Cathedral | BankingWool and textile industry |
| Genoa | Christopher Columbus | The Palazzi dei Rolli | ShippingBanking |
| Rome | Pope Gregory I | The colosseum | TourismFashion |
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Use the Venn Diagram below to compare Middle Ages Art/Architecture to Renaissance Art/Architecture
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MIDDLE AGES:
- Such art was based on religious themes, with many of the artwork being based on scenes from the bible.
- The architecture was gothic.
- Stained glass art was used to decorate church glass windows.
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RENAISSANCE:
- Arts in the Renaissance were humanist and emphasized the potential of humans and their behavior.
- The architecture in the Renaissance was heavily influenced by ancient Greece and Rome.
- Linear perspective was discovered and created an illusion and depth in art.
- Renaissance art was characterized by a greater emphasis on realism.
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At the end of all of this - why do we care? Why is Renaissance art and architecture such a big deal, even today?
Renaissance art and architecture was unique and was the intellectual growth that eventually led to our impact on Western society. It marked the transition of eras for example, the Middle ages to the modern era.
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Power Struggle
While these Italian city states grew in importance, so did certain families.
- Because Italy was not united at this time, the more control and power these city states (and therefore families) could exercise over as much territory as possible, the more important their city would become.
- This led to a power struggle. Sounds familiar????
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The Medicis
The Medici’s are the most famous family related to this.
- Becoming wealthy through textiles and banking, the Medici’s grew their influence and had their eyes on taking over the Papacy (the Catholic Church).
- They plotted, at times violently, to get what they wanted.
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Good For Business
Wanting to beautify their cities, many citizens in these Italian cities were passionate about funding the arts and architecture.
- The Medicis used their wealth to hire artists from all over Europe to come to Florence. In your research, did you find that many artists were associated with cities?
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As a result of families like the Medicis (and the competition they created) arts and humanism prospered. People wanted satisfaction in their earthly lives rather than waiting for the afterlife
This was good for business.
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Wealth Spreads
Wealth began to spread across Europe and competing families began to exert their influence through the arts and government. Apparently, being wealthy could buy your family power and influence.
Q: Has that changed???
While wealth and power can provide power and influence, there have been changes in the concentration of wealth and power since the Renaissance era.
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But with that wealth and spread of humanism there was a sudden curiosity to learn more, not just about art, but about science, medicine, astronomy and math. You name it, they were interested!
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Do some research! Look at wealthy families that have contributed to public works, attractions or tourist causes. What are they doing and why?
- The Medici Family was one of the most influential and wealthiest families in history. They had significant contributions like their famous art which is still studied and observed today.
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Where and How did the Renaissance spread?
- Humanism and other Renaissance ideas began to spread to western and northern Europe towards the end of the 15th century.
- Geography would have had an impact on the spread of ideas during the Renaissance because of different terrains like mountainous and winter temperatures.
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War
- Germany, the Netherlands, England, and France during the 15th century were at war.
- They used resources for military purposes, survival or expansion.
- War limited people’s travel through the areas of conflict.
- The Hundred Years War took place 1337-1453 between France and England.
Religion
- The Roman Catholic Church played a major role in life and politics in the rest of Europe.
- Especially since it was moved from Rome to Avignon, France.
- Change didn’t happen because the rest of Europe was under the influence of the Church.
What allowed Renaissance ideas to spread?
- At the end of the Hundred Years War, travel became safer. People moved to cities.
- France and Germany waged wars on Italian city-states which exposed European monarchs to Renaissance worldviews.
- Northern Europeans hired Italian craftsmen and invaded scholars to their courts.
- Peace in the 15th century allowed trade to increase as well as the ideas of humanism.
What are the 4 reasons why Renaissance ideas, etc. were slow to very spread to Western and Northern Europe?
- Terrain and environmental effects would affect the travel of people to spread ideas because they could be mountainous, hilly, cold, etc.
- People may not have agreed to such ideas, thus, not spreading any farther.
- War in Europe would have caused others not to be as focused on the spread of ideas.
- It wasn’t safe to travel.
- Feudal System because people in Italy believed in the roman catholic church or that the roman catholic church had a hold of them
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