Political life was open to
some but opportunities
for nobles to have
meaningful impact on
politics declined as
princes and kings gained
more and more power
Noble men
spent time at
court, at war or
managing their
country
estates
Each region had
distinct languages,
ethnic makeup and
geographic factors
that shaped
everyday life
Early stages of
renaissance around
1450 Europe was
recovering from
population losses and
economic depression
that followed the black
death
As population
began to recover
people became more
prosperous and
workers wages
bought more and
better food
Distinctive
social
classes
POLITICS
Some cities
governed by a
republic or
ruler
Political
instability
During
Renaissance
Italy became
central due to
its location for
trade
Renaissance
started in Italy
The political authority of
the Catholic Church had
diminished due to internal
conflicts
conflict between
central and local power
within rising “states
Political battles, internal
to Europe, were now
increasingly played out
on the international
stage
RELIGION
new theories were seen as
radical and revolutionary in
a religious perspective
Religion had an
important role in
people’s lives and the
church had until then
been the
authoritative source
of information about
heaven and earth
Renaissance was a
period of questioning
and discovery
As more and more advancements
were made in the arts and sciences,
the Catholic Church began to lose
the power and influence it had once
held over people's beliefs about the
world
IDEOLOGY
During this period
there was a cultural
birth
Birth of philosophy
and humanism
Humanism
rejected the belief
of fate
The ideas of
humanism
reflected ethical
philosophy and
rationalism