The Italian Renaissance

Awakening of the Human Spirit

BackgroundBeginning of the Modern World

• The Plague and Catholic Schism ended the Middle Ages– Those who survived looked to enjoy life

• The Renaissance is considered the beginning of modern European History

• Begin in city-states of Italy and spread throughout Europe

• The changes occurring were not religious or scientific, but moral and personal

Conditions for Renaissance

• Trade– In contact with other, more advanced civilizations

• Church– Lost most of its power and people began to doubt its

ultimate authority • Middle Class– Wealthy families arose, enjoying life

• Competition– Led to development in education and art

Renaissance

• Means “rebirth” in Latin• Awakening of the human spirit- feelings and

thoughts• Focus turned to Humanism

Rise of Italian City-States

• Economic growth was the basis for the Renaissance

• Northern Italy benefited from the crusades and spice trade– Genoa– Venice– Milan– Florence

Genoa

Venice

Milan

Florence

Who ruled?

• Signori – a form of government in which power is

concentrated in the hands of an individual or a small group (Usually merchant families)• Visconti (Milan)• Sforza (Milan)• Medici (Florence)

Politics among the Italian City-States

• Competition among city-states meant that Italy did not unify politically– Weaker states would ally with other states to

prevent domination– Disunity led to downfall in late 15th and early 16th

century by the French and Spanish• While Northern Europe was unifying, Italy

remained fragmented

Republic of Florence

• Dominated by Medici Family• Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (1360-1429)– Considered founder of Medici Dynasty– Founded Medici Bank

• Cosimo de’ Medici (1389-1464)– Allied with other powerful families and became

unofficial ruler of the republic

Republic of Florence

• Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449-1492)– The “Magnificent”– Significant patron of the arts

Duchy of Milan

• Ruled by Sforza family after 1450– Founded by Francesco I Sforza– Rose from peasant origins– Used this military position to become rulers in

Milan – Governed by force and power politics

Venetian Republic

• Longest lasting of the Italian states– Did not fall until Napoleon conquered in early

1800’s• One of the world’s great naval and trading

powers during the 14th/15th centuries• The city was governed by the Great Council,

which was made up of members of the most influential families in Venice