Renaissance definition ap world history

Definition

The Renaissance was a cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe, marking the transition from the medieval period to the modern age. This era emphasized the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature, and art, leading to significant developments in various fields and influencing societal changes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy, around the 14th century, fueled by wealth from trade and banking.
2. Key figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo made groundbreaking contributions to art, emphasizing realism and human emotion.
3. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century greatly facilitated the spread of Renaissance ideas across Europe.
4. Renaissance thinkers challenged traditional authority, leading to new perspectives on science, philosophy, and religion.
5. The period is often seen as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the modern world, influencing art, culture, politics, and science for centuries.

Review Questions

• How did the Renaissance influence the development of human
  
  

  THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

  The Renaissance (or “rebirth”) was inspired by a revival of interest in classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as a switch toward a more secular and individualistic way of thinking.  Renaissance education was defined by humanism, which emphasized the study of classical history and literature as the foundation for education. Civic humanism, as seen in the writings of Machiavelli and Castiglione, specifically prepared young men for careers in public service. Increased trade and advancements in banking and bookkeeping created wealth, and new commercial elites, such as the Medici, became patrons of the great Renaissance artists.

  Francesco Petrarca, known as Petrarch, was a fourteenth-century Italian poet who developed an interest in classical sms from ancient Rome. He journeyed through Italy in search of lost classical texts, and was able to recover many of the writings of the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. Petrarch is known as the “Father of Humanism” for his role in reviving scholarly interest in classical studies.

  RENAISSANCE ART

  Renaissance art focused on naturalistic portrayals of human subjects in imitation of the clas

     

  World History Makeover: The European Renaissance¹

  Deborah Smith Johnston, Ph.D.

             The Renaissance has long been a standard of Western Civ and European History courses; what is its place in a world history classroom?  Back in December 2003, a posting to the AP World History listserv asked why the AP World History course description had failed to mention the Renaissance.²  The first response argued that the Renaissance and Reformation were but "small blips on the world history stage: they get as much mention, as say Mahayana or Zen Buddhism might."³  Not surprisingly, that set off a heated but very productive exchange. 1      The term "Renaissance" dates back to the 16^th century Italian artist Giorgio Vasari, who used it to describe what he took to be the restoration of classical artistic tradition. Only in the 19^th century did historians, most notably Jacob Burkhardt, begin applying the term to 14^th-16^th century European history.⁴  By the 1920s, Burkhardt's "Renaissance" was standard in We
  
  

  Italian Renaissance

  Weeks 15-17: Rise of the West IDs

   

   

  Italian Renaissance:

  A period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 14th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe.

   

  The Italian Renaissance began in Tuscany, centered in the cities of Florence and Siena. It later had a significant impact in Venice, where the remains of ancient Greek culture were brought together, feeding the humanist scholars with new texts. **Many wealthy Italian families, such as the Medicis, sponsored this transition by supporting the artists.

   

  The Italian Renaissance is best known for its cultural achievements. They include works of literature by such figures as Petrarch, Castiglione, and Machiavelli; works of art by artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci; and great works of architecture, such as The Duomo in Florence and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

   

  Humanism was an optimistic philosophy that saw man as a rational and sentient being, with the ability to decide and think for himself. This was an implicit rejection of the Roman Catholic Church'
  

  key term - Renaissance period

  Definition

  The Renaissance period was a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread across Europe, marking the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern age. It emphasized a revival of classical learning, humanism, and advancements in arts and sciences, leading to significant changes in government structures, technological innovations, and social responses to evolving industrial practices.

  5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Renaissance began in Italy around the 14th century and lasted until the 17th century, influencing various aspects of European life.
  2. Artistic innovations during this time included the use of perspective in painting, as seen in works by artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
  3. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century played a crucial role in spreading Renaissance ideas and literature across Europe.
  4. The Renaissance was marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, with scholars seeking to recover and study ancient texts from Greece and Rome.
  5. Political thought also evolved during the Renaissance, as thinke