History 101: World Civilizations

Lecture 6: The Renaissance

Key Points
Definition: The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement in Europe
between the 14th and 17th centuries.
Causes:
Revival of trade and city-states in Italy
Influence of ancient Greek and Roman culture
Rise of humanism
Key Figures:
Leonardo da Vinci
Michelangelo
Galileo Galilei
Major Developments:
Artistic innovations (perspective, sfumato)
Scientific discoveries (telescope, laws of motion)
Emergence of nation-states
Notes
The Renaissance saw a shift from religious to secular themes in art and literature.
The Medici family in Florence sponsored many artists and thinkers.
The invention of the printing press (1450s) helped spread Renaissance ideas across
Europe.
Questions to Consider
How did the Renaissance challenge traditional authority?
What were some of the key contributions of Leonardo da Vinci?