Module Overview
The Renaissance

the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the
most recognized pieces of art from the Renaissance

From the crises of the Middle Ages sprang forth a new age, the Renaissance. Lasting from the fourteenth century into the seventeenth century, the Renaissance began in Italy before spreading to the rest of Europe. This time period was marked by cultural and artistic achievements unprecedented in human history.

In this module, you will study how the Renaissance emerged after a series of crises of the later Middle Ages, and set in place the economic and political structures that lead to wealth in Europe. Then, you will examine the rich cultural achievements, artists, and writers of the Italian Renaissance who left lasting imprints on the world. Finally, you will delve into the Renaissance throughout Europe, and how this important age was the beginning of the modern era.

Getting Started

getting started iconCarl-Henric Svanberg, a prominent Swedish businessman, said, "When you have a crisis, the crisis itself becomes one of your biggest assets (advantages)." Take a moment to think about the meaning of this quotation. Then, come up with a situation - either personal, historical, or fictional - in which it could be true.

The miseries and disasters of the later Middle Ages greatly affected European society. Bad weather brought poor harvests, the Black Death and Hundred Years' War caused population losses, and the Crusades weakened the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The question remained whether the Europeans could turn their crises into assets. As you proceed through this module, you will discover the ways the Renaissance was a period of European recovery from disasters that occurred during the later Middle Ages.

Key Vocabulary

glossary iconTo view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.

credit
Christian humanism
da Vinci, Leonardo
Erasmus
Florence
Genoa
Gutenberg, Johannes
humanism
Machiavelli, Noccolò
Michelangelo
Milan
More, Sir Thomas
patron
perspective
Petrarch
Renaissance
republic
secular
sonnet
The Prince
usury
Venice