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City States, Humanism

Explore the rich history of the Italian Renaissance, focusing on the city states, humanistic values, and the impact of commerce. Learn about influential figures like DaVinci, Machiavelli, and Lorenzo de Medici, and how the Renaissance shaped Italy and Europe. Discover the importance of trade, invention, and the arts during this transformative period.

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City States, Humanism

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  1. City States, Humanism and the Italian Renaissance

  2. Understanding the Renaissance The Values: • Humanism • Individualism • Secularism The Vehicles: • Commerce • Invention

  3. The Renaissance • French for “rebirth” • (from re [again] and nascere [to be born]) • Origins: Italy, 14th c. • “High Renaissance,” 1450-1527 • Art flourished most during this period

  4. Renaissance • Rediscovery of man- man becomes center of universe • Italian city states are islands of “republicanism”in a sea of European monarchialcal loyalty • Florence– “THE” city state; home of DaVinci, Machiavelli, Lorenzo de medici

  5. Renaissance in Italy 1375-1527 • City states were the political unit of the time • Depended on diplomacy to stay “loosely confederated” • Introduction of classical learning • Creation of the university system • Italy’s strategic Mediterranean placement

  6. City States • Republic Florence- merchant – ruled by the D’medicis • Duchy of Milan • Republic of Genoa • Kingdom of Naples • Papal States • Republic of Venice– the most liberal

  7. City States • Rich in trade become the bankers of Europe– for now • Very competitive • Most ruled by despots-Venice the exception which is rich merchant oligarchy • Internal social class conflict- Florence best example 1) old rich 2) new rich 3) small businessman 4) lower class Popolominuto= little people 1/3 pop of Florence

  8. Renaissance 1450- 1600 AD Italian City States

  9. Italy (continued) • Trade with “East” • Fall of Constantinople in 1453 • Vernacular use increases- replaces Latin gradually • Wealth increase in Italy • Wealthy become patrons of the arts • Exploration of New Worlds begin • Foundations laid for mercantilism

  10. GreekLiterature Fall of Constantinople (1453) • Turks close Christian universities • Greek scholars flee to Italy with Ancient texts • Plato’s complete works translated into Latin for the first time.

  11. Italy (continued) • Governments begin to centralize in all other countries EXCEPT for Italy and Germany

  12. Humanism • Belief that man can create– he is no longer a passive participant in the world around him– He can influence and make a difference

  13. VIPs • Cosimo de Medici- ends revolts by lower classes • Brings stability- good statesman • Used council to rule- members picked from guilds

  14. VIPs • Lorenzo the Magnificent • Ruled 1478-92 • Assassination of brother by rival family Pazzi made him more cautious • Used huge armies- Codotteri • Conflict to diplomacy

  15. Commerce Usury • Lending money with interest Prohibited by RCC during Middle Ages • LIMITED INVESTMENT Medici Family • Prominent in Florence, Italy • Medici Bank • Patrons of the Arts Lorenzo de Medici

  16. Intro to The Prince by Machiavelli • Two changes in Renaissance • 1. printing destroyed clergy intellectual monopoly • 2. gunpowder destroyed nobility military monopoly

  17. Invention Printing Press • 1454 – Gutenberg experiments with movable type • Gutenberg Bible (1456) • About 180 copies produced Information can spread more quickly than ever before… and at a fraction of the cost!

  18. Machiavelli The Prince • Advice to rulers • “Machiavellian” • The end justifies the means

  19. Machiavelli • Diplomat in Florence • Wrote first political science doc in Europe • Lost job when Medici’s take over with Pope’s help • Writes the Prince to get job back • Dedicates Prince to Lorenzo de Medici but uses Cesar Borgia as “model” for the Prince

  20. Machiavelli continued • First political science work to NOT address “the end of the state” (like Aristotle and Plato) • The Prince says” Power is an end in itself!!!” and how to retain acquire and expand power. (or rename “POWER for DUMMIES!!!”)

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