Historical Thinking Questions to Keep in Mind

History 521

The Italian Renaissance

Part I

The word renaissance means rebirth, renewal. The Renaissance began in the Italian city states around 1350 and later spread throughout Western, Central, and Northern Europe, lasting until 1600. This was a period characterized by profound change in education, literature, the arts, science, government, and religion.

Historical Thinking Questions to keep in mind:

1)Why did the renaissance begin in the Italian city states?

2)In what ways did the Renaissance represent both a break and continuation of the Medieval period?

Why did the renaissance begin in the Italian city states?

Take a look at the above maps and discuss with your partner how the geographic location of the Italian city states might have served as a catalyst (trigger) for the Renaissance:

Connections with the past. What two ancient civilizations originated in and around Italy and the Mediterranean Sea? ______and______

What were some key features of these civilizations? Take a look at the images on the next page.

From looking at the images above and your own knowledge, in what ways were the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome much different from medieval Europe? Discuss with your partner.

The Italian Renaissance was an attempt to revive the ancient knowledge of the Romans and Greeks in science, math, government, and the arts. However, it was also a response to the medieval period as well.

Continuity and Change

Take a look at the three works of art and discuss with your partner how the Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo represents both continuity and change from the medieval period.

Continuity / Change

Humanism

An important belief of the Renaissance was that the individual person was important, that he or she was intellectually curious, and should participate in life beyond the church, beyond the manor, and develop his or her talents through art, politics, sports, literature, and science.

Renaissance poets such as Petrarch began writing, for the first time, in their vernacular language (Italian), the common language of the people.

Discuss with a partner: How did this represent a break from the medieval period?

Paragraph Response.

Respond in full sentences with a thesis statement, supporting evidence, and a concluding sentence.

To what extent did the Italian Renaissance represent a break from the medieval period?

Use this space for planning

______