Research Paper On The Renaissance

The renaissance was a period of time in Europe that took place from the 14th to 17th century. When the Renaissance began it was meant to be a re-birth of classical Greek and Roman Culture. This time was thought to be a bridge that connected the Middle Ages to the modern age of Europe. The Renaissance began as a cultural movement in Italy during the Late Middle Ages and later spread throughout Europe. As this new era in European history began a new intellectual basis became the norm. People began to live by a new version of humanism, which lead to a new way of thinking that affected art, architecture, politics, science, and literature.

During the Renaissance Feudalism still existed even though it was politically a large part of the middle Ages. Feudalism was the dominant social system of Medieval Europe and had left the nobility in power due to the lands they held power over that were granted to them from the king in exchange for military service. These men were known as vassals and would then offer the same protection onto the serfs who worked their lands for them and the serfs would in exchange receive protection. For most of Europe Feudalism was how their political
system was run and the power would be held in a Hierarchy due to birthright. In Renaissance Italy though, Hierarchy of Feudalism did not exist and anyone who had any success in his or her trade could rise into more power. It began with merchants gaining power when their businesses were doing well and their wealth increased. As more wealth was brought in they held more power and would end up supporting the city that they lived in. At this time the ideals of valuing an individual and not their birthright came to be. Due to these ideals that were beginning to come about in Renaissance Italy and new for of government began to come about and the people began to follow an Oligarchy. An oligarchy placed the power with a small number of people who were distinguished due to being royalty, wealthy, or having strong family ties. A few prominent families that pass their influence form one generation to the next often-controlled states that followed an Oligarchy. One such family that held a lot of power during this time was the De Medici family. The De Medici gamily rose to power after gaining their wealth from controlling the largest bank in Europe at this time and also gained more prominence under Cosimo De Medici in the Republic of Florence in the 15th century. Families like the De Medici family also showed off their power and wealth, which became a customary thing to do during this time.

The culture of the renaissance was highly based on those of classical Greek and roman cultures.
During the 14th century the culture began to return to the idea of learning based on classical sources and being able to understand and read the vernacular of the time. Many felt that resurgence of the need to learn was credited to Petrarch. Petrarch was an Italian scholar and poet and he was considered to be one of the earliest humanists. Having found the letters of Cicero, he is often credited with being the cause of the 14th century renaissance. Petrarch has been called “The father of Humanisms” due to his ideas that helped to shape the Renaissance. AS humanisms spread more through Europe it affected the methods of study and brought on the search for realism and human emotion in art and
literature.