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Renaissance Ideas

The Renaissance was heavily influenced by the Classical world (Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome).

The Classical World

The Classical World

  • Renaissance was strongly shaped by the Classical world.
  • Scholars focused their attention on Ancient Rome and Greece, which they viewed as a ‘golden age’.
  • Petrarch was a famous Renaissance scholar.
Humanism

Humanism

  • Humanism was central to the Renaissance.
  • It was an intellectual movement that was focussed on the potential of mankind.
  • Humanist scholars believed education could improve the power of mankind.
Humanism and religion

Humanism and religion

  • Humanism had an impact on religion across Europe.
  • Humanists criticised the low levels of education in the Church and among the laity (lay people).
  • Humanists also accused the Catholic Church of being corrupt.
    • They claimed that clergymen were exploiting (taking advantage of) their parishes.
Science

Science

  • The revival in learning was felt in science as well.
  • Universities began to establish schools for medicine.
  • The Renaissance period gave birth to scientific ‘method’.
    • This means that there became a focus on direct observation and experiments to explain things rather than blaming them on something supernatural.
Jump to other topics
1

Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1

The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2

The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3

The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4

The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5

Medieval Religion

1.6

The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7

How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8

Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9

Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10

Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11

Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12

European Renaissance

1.13

Norman Conquest & Control

1.14

Historical Skills

2

The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1

Anglo-Saxon England

2.2

The Contest for the English Throne

2.3

Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4

King John

2.5

The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6

The Black Death

3

Worldviews

4

The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5

The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6

The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7

The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8

Religion in the Middle Ages

9

Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10

The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11

The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12

US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13

The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14

The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15

Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16

World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17

The Russian Revolution: 1917 AD

18

The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

19

World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

20

The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

21

Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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