“Rebirth”
1350-1600- Started in Italy during the Hundred Year’s War
Western Europe experienced a cultural awakening
Developed new attitudes about self and world
No longer “living to die”
New developments in art, writing, and philosophy

Italy was attached to classical traditions

Rome and Byzantine Empire

Highly urban region
Populations over 100,000
Lots of large towns
Most of Western Europe was rural
Didn’t have feudalism
Each community ran itself

Merchants became wealthy and controlled politics, social and business

Italian scholars improved understanding of Greek and Latin
Studied old manuscripts
Copied classical writing style


New intellectual movement
Reawakened the educated public to classical values
Encouraged new ideas
Wanted to renew their society and themselves
Not as concerned with the afterlife

Humanism- focus on worldly, or “secular” ideas rather than religion

Individualism- emphasis on dignity and worth
Focusing on developing many talents in politics, sports, arts, and education

Education- studied humanities (Greek, Latin, history, and philosophy)

Developed writing in vernacular
Focused on feeling
Sonnets
autobiographies

Developed independent thinkers
Challenged traditions, assumptions, institutions

Challenged everything
Even Church was not safe