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Sunday, October 13, 2019
Impact Of The Renaissance in Europe Essay -- essays research papers
                                   The impact of the                Renaissance on Europe      Jacob Burckhardt best describes the renaissance as the prototype of the modern world, for it was the period between the fourteenth and fifteenth century in Italy, when the base of modern civilisation was formed. It was mainly through the revival of ancient learning that new scientific values first began to overthrow traditional religious beliefs. People started to accept a new rational and objective approach to reality and most important of all to rediscover the importance of the individual. The result in Burckhardt words, was the release of the’ full whole nature of man’. However the Renaissance biggest contribution was the way different important individuals through their logical revelations managed to diminish the power of the Catholic Church. (Craig, Graham, Kagan, Ozment, Turner; The heritage of world civ; pg.493-494)      Medieval Europe before the Renaissance had been a fragmented feudal society with an agriculturally based economy, and its culture and dominated by the Church. After the fourteenth century was characterised by the growing national consciousness and political centralisation based on organised commerce and capitalism, along with the secular control of thought and culture.      It was in Italy from around the time 1375 to the sack of Rome (1527) that the distinctive features and impacts of the renaissance era are revealed. (Internet 1)      Italy having a geographic advantage, laying in the centre of the commerce between the east and west. Due to this fact rich and urban cities were formed in Italy. There started to be more Italian cities than there were people in them. Trade monopolies were formed to ensure profitability of trade and manufacturing, but only those with sufficient capital could engage in either. For example, in Florence 10% of the families controlled 90% of the wealth. These wealthy families established power over these city-states (ju... ...Yet there has never been a controversial or important than Niccolo Machiavelli’s The prince. It’s vivid prose being-â€Å" Men must either be pampered or crushed â€Å" – has not stopped readers through the centuries devouring its every aspect. With Machiavelli begins the science of politics. (Internet 1)      Another development was the perfection of the art of diplomacy. Constant warfare between city-states was aimless, and by the end of the fourteenth century city-states began the practice of keeping resident ambassadors at the major seats of power. At the same time this improved communication and provided leaders with accurate information about friends and enemies. Diplomacy became both an offensive and defensive weapon. (Kishlansky, Geary, O’Brien; Civ in the west; pg. 340) I would like to conclude with mentioning that Renaissance artists and philosophers did more than construct, adorn buildings or write books. Inevitably their work expressed ideals and the way their society worked. The emphasis was more upon the here and now rather than the hereafter; and most importantly, upon humanity and its capacity for growth and perfection.
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