Rennaisance Worldview

The way of life today was strongly influenced by the Renaissance Period. The Renaissance Period was the historical period that originated in Italy during the 14th century. This period of time is well known for the revival of classical art, architecture and literature. The Renaissance Worldview was influenced by geography, ideas and knowledge and contact with other groups.

The geography in Western Europe where the Renaissance occurred influenced and changed the Renaissance Worldview. Very little agricultural land forced the people to look for other ways of living. Being located close to the Mediterranean and Black Sea made it easy to travel and deliver goods. The mountains kept enemies away allowing for a greater focus on trade and arts. The layout of the land made it easier to communicate with other civilizations and helped them focus on the arts.

The ideas and knowledge of the other civilizations helped the Europeans discover new ways of life. During crusades, they learned about other cultures which gave them news ideas and knowledge that helped them come up with new ways of thinking about their lives. They had books, documents and art work from other areas that brought new ideas. Ruins from surrounding areas made them want to rediscover knowledge about their ancestors. With the knowledge gained it helped the Europeans realize what they were really about.

The Silk Road was an important part of how the Europeans stayed in contact with other groups. Ships were able to carry and bring back exotic goods from Asia to sell at markets. Contact with other groups created the European Feudal System that was based on status and authority. The higher classes could afford the expensive art and architecture. Contacting and trading with other groups brought deadly diseases such as bubonic plague (also known as the black death) that came from central Asia. If the Europeans weren't in contact with other groups they wouldn't have had all the resources they had.

The Renaissance which occurred between 1350 and 1600 ce. in Western Europe influenced and changed the Worldview. Three things that affected the changes during the Renaissance Period were the layout of the land, the ideas and knowledge they gained from other groups and the contact they had with other civilizations. If Western Europe didn't make the changes they did what would our life today look like in Canada?

...