Renaissance Politics

1.3

Background

• • Renaissance (rebirth) is considered the beginning of modern European history (1300 1600) Influenced the upper classes more than the middle classes – Peasants were illiterate and too concerned with the dealings of daily life

Life in the Late Middle Ages

• • • Marriage – – Economic reasons were most important for marriage No divorce Work – Farming cycles and church ritual were closely linked – Small percent of men in towns were artisans Recreation – – Aristocracy – jousting tournaments Common people – archery, wrestling, bear-bating, alcoholism was rampant

Rise of Italian City-States

City-State Politics

• • Balance of power system among city-states – If one gained enough power, then others would gang up on them Such competition did not allow the city-states to unify into one political unit – With the city-states divided, they would be susceptible to attack

Major City-States

• Florence – Center of Renaissance during the 14 th /15 th centuries – Dominated by the Medici family

Major City-States

• • • • Milan – A major enemy of Venice and Florence until the Peace of Lodi (1454) created a peace for 40 years • Effect of fall of Constantinople – Ruled by the Sforza family Rome, the Papal States – Ruled by the Pope as a political leader Venice – Greatest maritime power in Italy and trading hub Naples, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies – Controlled by France and Spain

DECLINE OF THE ITALIAN CITY-STATES

French Invasions

• • • Milan’s ruler invites French king Charles VIII to invade Naples – With its foot in the door, France will look to take more Florence is threatened and the Medici are removed from power Girolamo Savonarola comes to control Florence

Savonarola

• • • Pledged to rid Florence of decadence and corruption Had earlier predicted French invasions and the death of the Pope…gives him credit with the people Aided the French in their efforts in Italy…burned at the stake when France is booted from Italy

Italy in Peril

• • • • In 1525 – 32K French and 100K Spanish in Italy Rome is sacked in 1527 by armies of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V Effects – Long wars drain treasuries – French invasion hurts Italian confidence – Humanism spreads to Northern Europe The Sacking of Rome symbolizes the END OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE