🎨The Renaissance Unit 2 – The Late Middle Ages: Renaissance Roots

Key Events and Timeline

• The Late Middle Ages spanned from the 14th to the 16th century, setting the stage for the Renaissance
• The Black Death (bubonic plague) devastated Europe from 1347 to 1351, killing an estimated 30-60% of the population
  • Resulted in labor shortages, social upheaval, and a questioning of traditional authority
• The Hundred Years' War between England and France (1337-1453) led to political instability and the rise of nationalism
• The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 marked the end of the Byzantine Empire
  • Scholars fled to Italy, bringing with them ancient Greek and Roman texts that fueled the Renaissance
• The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge
• The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 expanded European horizons and trade opportunities

Social and Cultural Shifts

• The Black Death's aftermath led to a reexamination of social hierarchies and the role of the Catholic Church
• The rise of humanism emphasized the value of individual achievement and the potential for human greatness
  • Scholars such as Petrarch and Boccaccio promoted the study of classical literature and philosophy
• The growth of cities and the merchant class challenged the traditional feudal system
• Increased social mobility allowed for the rise of the middle class and the patronage of the arts
• The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in education, with the establishment of universities and libraries
• The concept of the "Renaissance man" emerged, valuing well-rounded individuals skilled in multiple disciplines (Leonardo da Vinci)

Economic Developments

• The Late Middle Ages saw a gradual transition from a land-based economy to one based on trade and commerce
• The Crusades (1095-1291) exposed Europeans to new goods and ideas from the East, stimulating trade
• The growth of banking and financial institutions, such as the Medici family in Florence, supported economic expansion
• The rise of guilds and apprenticeships fostered specialized skills and craftsmanship
• The introduction of double-entry bookkeeping revolutionized accounting and business practices
• The increasing wealth of Italian city-states, such as Venice and Genoa, fueled the patronage of the arts and sciences

Political Transformations

• The decline of feudalism and the rise of centralized monarchies characterized the Late Middle Ages
  • Monarchs such as Louis XI of France and Henry VII of England consolidated power and weakened the nobility
• The Italian city-states, such as Florence and Venice, developed republican forms of government
  • The Medici family's rise to power in Florence exemplified the blending of politics and commerce
• The Hundred Years' War between England and France (1337-1453) led to the development of professional armies and the concept of nationalism
• The Ottoman Empire's expansion into the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean challenged European powers
• The Spanish Reconquista, completed in 1492, unified Spain under Catholic rule and set the stage for its global empire

Artistic and Literary Innovations

• The Late Middle Ages saw the emergence of new artistic styles, such as Gothic architecture (Notre-Dame Cathedral)
• The Renaissance marked a renewed interest in classical art and architecture, characterized by symmetry, proportion, and realism
  • Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael exemplified the Renaissance ideal of the multi-talented individual
• The development of linear perspective revolutionized painting and allowed for greater depth and realism
• The invention of the printing press led to the widespread dissemination of books and ideas
  • The publication of Dante's "Divine Comedy" and Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" reflected the growing importance of vernacular literature
• The Renaissance saw the rise of new literary forms, such as the sonnet and the essay (Petrarch, Montaigne)

Scientific and Technological Advancements

• The Late Middle Ages witnessed significant advances in science and technology, laying the foundation for the Scientific Revolution
• The rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts, particularly the works of Aristotle and Ptolemy, stimulated scientific inquiry
• The development of the magnetic compass and the astrolabe improved navigation and facilitated long-distance trade
• The invention of the mechanical clock in the 14th century revolutionized timekeeping and daily life
• The Renaissance saw the emergence of empirical observation and experimentation as key methods of scientific investigation
  • Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical studies and Galileo's astronomical observations exemplified this new approach
• The development of the printing press allowed for the rapid dissemination of scientific ideas and discoveries

Religious Changes and Conflicts

• The Late Middle Ages saw growing criticism of the Catholic Church's wealth, corruption, and doctrinal practices
  • John Wycliffe and Jan Hus challenged Church authority and called for reform
• The Renaissance humanist movement, with its emphasis on individual interpretation of texts, contributed to religious questioning
• The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the rise of Protestantism
  • The Reformation emphasized the importance of faith, scripture, and individual conscience
• The Catholic Church responded with the Counter-Reformation, which included the Council of Trent (1545-1563) and the establishment of the Jesuit Order
• Religious conflicts, such as the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) and the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), divided Europe along religious lines

Legacy and Impact on the Renaissance

• The Late Middle Ages set the stage for the cultural, intellectual, and artistic flourishing of the Renaissance
• The rediscovery of classical texts and the emphasis on humanism laid the foundation for Renaissance thought and education
• The economic and political developments of the Late Middle Ages, such as the growth of trade and the rise of city-states, provided the resources and stability necessary for the Renaissance to thrive
• The technological advancements of the Late Middle Ages, particularly the printing press, facilitated the spread of Renaissance ideas and knowledge
• The religious upheavals of the Late Middle Ages, including the Protestant Reformation, shaped the religious landscape of the Renaissance and beyond
• The artistic innovations of the Late Middle Ages, such as the development of linear perspective, paved the way for the masterpieces of the Renaissance (Mona Lisa, David)