Chapter 13: The Renaissance

Lesson 1 Origins of the Renaissance

MAIN IDEAS
Culture Key events brought an end to the Middle Ages and feudal life.
Economics Toward the end of the Middle Ages, trade flourished. This
brought new goods and ideas to an increasing number of people.
Belief Systems The movement known as humanism stressed the
importance of individuals and encouraged human achievement.

European Society Changes

ESSENTIAL QUESTION What events helped bring an end to feudalism and
the Middle Ages?

The Rise of Nations

• England, France became nations 1100-1200s; replaced small kingdoms
• Monarchs gained power and ruled over the nation; replaced feudalism
- lords and landowners lost most of their power

End of Medieval Institutions

• Plague of 1300s depleted serf population; feudal system weakened
• Chivalry ended with Hundred Yearsʼ War between France, England
- longbow made knights and hand-to-hand combat useless, outdated

REVIEW QUESTION
What role did the plague and the Hundred Years’ War play in the decline
of feudalism?

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 The Expansion of Trade
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What effect did the reopening of the Silk Roads
have on Europe?

The Silk Roads Reopen

• Feudalism and warfare declined; traders felt safer traveling further
• Revival of trade helped European cities, merchant class grow
• Silk Roads—ancient trade route connecting Europe and China
- Mongols brought security to region; trade along route grew in 1200s
• In 1271, Italian trader Marco Polo began journey along Silk Roads
- reached China, returned to Italy 24 years later
• Poloʼs tales, success encouraged commerce between Europe and Asia

REVIEW QUESTION
How did Marco Polo contribute to the growth of European trade?

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 New Ways of Thinking
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is humanism?

Revival of Classical Learning

• Education declined during Middle Ages; instability disrupted learning
• Greater stability, trade reignited desire for knowledge by 1200s
- scholars revived Greek, Roman classical ideas and texts

The Growth of Humanism

• Humanism—focus on human beings and their potential for achievement
- goal to create well-rounded people through study of classical subjects
• Italian poet Petrarch led early movement; restored many ancient texts

Humanist Thought
• Humanism stressed the importance of the individual
- differed from medieval thinking; royalty, church most important
• Stressed balance of intellect, religion over blind faith in Church
- people could enjoy life and still be good Christians

A New Age of Creativity

• Humanism inspired creativity, exploration, experimentation
• Led to creative movement that would reach much of Europe

REVIEW QUESTION
How did the ideas of humanism differ from the beliefs of the Middle
Ages?

Lesson Summary
• A number of factors combined to bring about an end to the Middle Ages and
the feudal way of life.
• An increase in trade and the reopening of the Silk Roads brought new goods
and ideas to more people.
• Humanism stressed the importance of individuals and encouraged human
achievement.

Why It Matters Now . . .

Humanist ideas continue to encourage humans to make advances in all areas of
society.

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