2. The Italian Renaissance
• Renaissance Italy was basically an urban
society. City-states were powerful.
• Renaissance was an age of recovery from
fourteenth century disasters. (Plague, political
instability, decline of Church power)
• Renaissance provided a new view of human
beings and their individual abilities.
3. The Italian States
• The lack of a strong ruler made it possible for
city-states to remain independent.
– Milan was ruled by the Visconti family and later the
Sforza dukes. It prospered from trade and an efficient
tax system.
– Venice was a rich trade empire that was ruled by a
small group of self-serving merchant-aristocrats.
– Florence was the cultural center of Renaissance Italy.
It was governed by the powerful Medici family.
4.
5.
6. The Italian Wars
• The French king, Charles VIII, was lured to
invade Italy to obtain the riches of trade.
• Italy turned to Spain for protection. For nearly
thirty years, Spain and France battled against
each other in Italy.
• The Spanish king, Charles I, defeated the
French at Rome in May of 1527. This left the
Spanish as a dominant force in Italy.
8. Invasion of Italy
French King Charles VIII
invaded France.
King Charles I of Spain
rescued France.
9. Machiavelli and New Statecraft
• Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince, an
influential book on political power.
– Most writers stressed the ethical side of a prince’s
activity. He should live by Christian principles.
– Machiavelli believed that a prince should base
activity on an understanding of human nature. He
acts on behalf of the state, and he must be willing
to let his conscience sleep.
10.
11.
12. Society (Nobility)
• The nobility was a small percentage of the
population, but they held important political
posts.
• The Book of the Courtier was written by
Baldassare Castiglione. It described the
characteristics of a perfect Renaissance noble.
– He must have character, grace, and talent.
– He must be a warrior, and he was expected to gain
a classical education.
14. Society (Peasants/Townspeople)
• Most individuals were peasants. Serfdom
decreased and labor that was owed to the
lords was converted to rent.
• Townspeople were mostly merchants and
artisans.
– Patricians – trade, industry, banking
– Burghers – shopkeepers, artisans, guild masters
– Workers and unemployed – about 30-40 percent
of the population and earned pitiful wages.
15. Society (Family and Marriage)
• The family bond was a great source of security
in the dangerous urban world.
• The father-husband was the center of the
Italian family.
• The dowry was the most important part of the
marriage contract. It was the sum of money
that was given by the wife’s family to the
husband.