- Published: January 2, 2022
- Updated: January 2, 2022
- University / College: The University of Arizona
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 20
The Renaissance Period 1350 -1600 in Italy Renaissance is another word for “ rebirth”. Historically, it referred to the period (1350-1600) in westerncivilization, which was characterized of the revitalization of three things classical world interest, commerce, and beliefs of human achievement. The most appealing aspect of Italian society is the way it was urban in that by 1600, most cities migrated to Italy. During that period, there were numerous city and states, which flourished in trade and virtues. For effective trading, the government controlled trade through various monopolies such as guilds.
The Italy’s city-states transformed to commercial centres and unlike Europe, it never based its wealth on land but on capital and the power to lend. Politically, the nation was not as powerful as European counterparts were. However, their status as capital holders augmented growth and many nations came to them for loans. With no doubt, Renaissance Italy was principally an urban society where the city-states emerged as the centres of economic, social, and political life. There were new chances to enjoy world things as this was the time of restoration from the calamities of the 14th Century such as political disorder, economic recession, and black deaths.
The major concern for human worth and individual potentiality gave rise to the new society ideal of achievements in various aspects of life. After severe upheavals of the 14th century, there was a recovery of European economy as there positive improvement in trade and manufacturing. Indeed, the Italians particularly the Venetians improved in their lifestyles, as there was expanded wealth of commerce. Throughout middle ages, the Italian society was grouped into three estates, the first or the clergy was grounded on spiritual beliefs, and secondly the nobility that based their belief that nobles offered justice and security for the society. The third category was comprised of inhabitants with peasants of the cities and towns. By 1500, the old, new, and noble that constituted of 2 and 3% of the population dominated the society holding imperative political posts and serving as kings and advisers.
The new outlook of human beings began when Italians emphasized on individual ability. The Leon Battista Alberti philosophy “ Men can do all things if they will” motivated many. It gave rise to human worth and individual potentiality to a new society ideal with many achievements. The family bond was the area where the mentioned philosophy was utilized. Parents regarded the need of arranged marriages for their children to fortify family ties. They ensured that their children got married under legally binding contract to eradicate divorce cases that greatly affects a nation. The main objective was to strengthen an ethical society where people can do all things in the same will.
Peasants comprised of a vast population of 85 to 95% of the European population. The remaining percentage was the inhabitants of the cities and town who were originally artisans and merchants. By 15th Century, the Renaissance city became more complex and patricians were the chief urban society who dominated the society because of their wealth from the capitalistic enterprises within trading.
Conclusively, people who existed in Italy between 1350 and 1600 believed that the period enhanced improvement socially, economically, and materially. This period marked a new beginning which historians named Renaissance a French word that means rebirth.