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==Introduction==__NOTOC__This article will discuss [[File:SC3.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|Botticelli’s Adoration of the Magi- many of the De Medici family are actually in the picture]]What caused the Renaissance? Numerous social factors that encouraged and promoted the Renaissance in Italy in the period from 1350 to 1500. The Italian Renaissance in Italy was one of the world’s greatest period in culture and the arts and it . It produced great writers such as Machiavelli and artists such as Leonardoda Vinci. This article will discuss the Italy's political, economic, and social influences that transformation encouraged people in the Italian Renaissance to adopt a new world view, that was influenced by social developmentsfundamentally transformed Italy. The work will show that there were specific factors in Specific aspects of Italian society that promoted the new values of the Renaissance, such as individualism. These social factors included ‘new rulers’, social mobility, trade , and a society that was not bound by traditional values. Above all , the increasing secularism of the times allowed people in the Renaissance Italy to conceive a new way of living and indeed even a new world.

==Socio-Economic FactorsHow did the Black Plague create economic opportunities? ==The renaissance Renaissance was an effort to imitate the lost world of ancient Greece and Rome. The Italian, artists, writers , and thinkers who all participated in the Renaissance, sought to create works that were the ancients' equal of the ancients, whom they regarded as the pinnacle of civilization. The Renaissance , unlike the Middle Ages, stressed the individual, reason, beauty, and secular values. This outlook became known as Humanism and has had a profound impact on European society. The Renaissance not only produced great works of art but also and resulted in a dramatic change in the views of Europeans and a decisive move away from the world of the Middle Ages. The origins of the Renaissance were in Italy , and they were a result of the unique society and its recent history .<ref> Burke, Peter. The Italian Renaissance<i>[https: Culture and Society in Italy Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999, p//www. 6amazon.<com/gp/product/0691162409/ref> In the aftermath of the Black Death, the economy of Italy benefited greatly from trade and thus some areas became industrialized such as Florence. In this city, there was a large class of weavers who wove cloth for home consumption and export. The wealth of Italy increased because of trade but it also changed people’s outlook, who gradually adopted a more rational approach to the world. Italian society had evolved very differently from the rest of Europe. Northern Italy in particular, was much more urbanized than the rest of Europe. Many of the largest cities in Europe were located in Northern Europe such as Florence and Milan. Urban societies are widely believed to be more dynamic than agrarian societies. In towns and cities' people come together and converse and debate. Urban societies are also more open to new ideas as immigrants and traders settled in them. The plazas and taverns of Florence and other cities were often filled with people, many of them outsiders discussing new ideas and exchanging copies of manuscripts. This was a milieu that was beneficial to =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative and intellectual endeavors <ref> Burkhardt, Jacob (1990) =9325&creativeASIN=0691162409&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=bd2fb62203df2b60edcd5189347cdd7f The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy (Hammondsworth, Penguin Classics, 1990), p. 78</ref>. Because of the increasing urbanization of Italian society and the impact of the Black Death the feudal system collapsed <ref>Ruggiero, Guido. The Renaissance in Italy: A Social Culture and Cultural History of the Rinascimento (Cambridge University Press, 2015), p. 648 </ref>. This was a political-social and economic system that gave political and military power to the landed elite and which tied the majority of the population to this elite. Feudalism was a system that demanded obedience and deference and ordained that people should accept their position in society, without question. It endorsed a view of the world that was unchanging and fixed by the laws of Gods. Feudalism was never strong Society in Italy, even in the High Middle Ages, and after the 1350s it all but collapsed. The collapse of feudalism led to the release of social forces that led to the Renaissance <ref>Lopez, Robert Sabatino, The Three Ages of the Italian Renaissance Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1970., p. 89]</refi>. People were now freer than ever before and they were prepared to question and doubt and develop new ideas about society and to create new means of expression and styles of art to represent them. The society of Italy in the period from 1350 to 1500 energized people and encouraged them to experiment with the arts, thought and modes of life <ref> Gilbert, Felix. History: Politics or Culture? Reflections on Ranke and Burckhardt. (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1990). p. 109</ref>.[[File:SC3.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Bottecelli’s Adoration of the Magi- many of the De Medici family are actually in the picture]] ==The New Elite==The great artists and the thinkers of the Renaissance needed the patronage of great rulers and the wealthy. The unique political situation in Italy meant that the ruling class was distinct from the rest of Europe. They were to play a crucial role in the development of the Renaissance and the values that inspired it. Unlike elsewhere, they were not many hereditary rulers, many of the rulers were often self-made men. The ‘new rulers’ in Renaissance Italy usually acquired power through war, such as the Sforza’s in Milan or by manipulating the existing political system as the case of the De Medici in Florence<ref> Burckhardt, 19901999, p. 78</ref>. They were often not legitimate rulers and they were keen to legitimize their role in the state6. The lavish patronage that was available to Renaissance artists such as Donatello was part of an effort to legitimize the rule of those who had no substantial claims to political legitimacy. A Swiss Cultural historian in the nineteenth century argued that these new rulers saw the ‘state as a work of art’<ref> Burkhardt, 134</ref>. These new rulers could not rely on the traditional power structures to justify their rule or the old apparatus for their government. This meant that they often adapted and changed the system of governments in the city-states to maintain and perpetuate their rule. This meant that they sought other models of government and as a result, they came under the influence of the classical world. The new rulers employed learned men to help them in their government and for their bureaucracy. They regularly employed humanists and in this way humanism influenced the development of the state. The Humanists often used their classical learning to provide solutions to current problems. This did much to promote classical learning in this period, which was something that could have a practical value and not something merely academic. Through them, the ideas and the works of the classical world, that privileged reason and the individual became very influential and this did much to encourage a new world view among the educated and the literate<ref> Burckhardt, 1990, p. 156</ref>. [[File: SC2.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Lorenzo De Medici ‘The Magnificent’]]

==Individualism==Perhaps In the greatest difference between aftermath of the Middle Ages Black Death, Italy's economy benefited greatly from the trade, and the Renaissance was the latter’s renewed interest in the individualthus some areas became industrialized, such as Florence. There were several reasons for In this. Firstlycity, there was the example a large class of the New Rulers, they had secured political control weavers wove cloth for home consumption and often absolute power through their own initiative and depending only on their talent and will<ref>Burkhardtexport. Italy's wealth increased because of trade, 1990but it also changed people’s outlook, pwhich gradually adopted a more rational approach to the world. 167</ref>. They were living proof that a person could use innate talents and their gifts could raise themselves Italian society had evolved very differently from a lowly station and by sheer will power change their destinythe rest of Europe. The individual was seen as something positive and that people could change their ordained status Northern Italy, in societyparticular, in contrast to medieval thinking. The example of was much more urbanized than the New Rulers was one that was particularly influential at a time rest of increased social mobilityEurope. Because Many of the collapse of the feudal system largest cities in Europe were located in the aftermath of the Black DeathNorthern Europe, social mobility became such as Florence and Milan. Urban societies are widely believed to be more commondynamic than agrarian societies. People born poor could rise In towns and improve their lotcities, many humble traders became wealthy merchants<ref> Burckhardt, 1990, p. 156</ref>. The artists, scholars ' people come together and writers of the time were imbued by this new emphasis on the individual converse and it was represented in the worksdebate. The Urban societies are also more open to new focus on the individual is evident in the work of artists as diverse ideas as Michelangelo immigrants and Leonardo Da Vincitraders settled in them. The status plazas and taverns of the artist increased immeasurably at this time. The Florence and other cities were often filled with people, many outsiders discussing new value placed on the individual ideas and their abilities meant exchanging copies of manuscripts. This was a milieu that the role was beneficial to creative and place of the artist in society was changedintellectual endeavors. No longer are they seen as craftsmen who were often members of guilds<ref> Burkhardt, now they came to be regarded as talented and extraordinary individuals with a significant role in societyJacob (1990) <i>[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/014044534X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014044534X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=80a377b938b7a965ce5df29fe782ac23 The modern conception Civilization of the artist owes much to the Renaissance view of the artists. The new status of the artists allowed them greater freedom of expression which allowed them to create so many timeless masterpiecesin Italy]<ref/i> Burke.(Hammondsworth, Penguin Classics, 1990) p 214. 78</ref>.

Because of the increasing urbanization of Italian society and the Black Death's impact, the feudal economic system collapsed.<ref>Ruggiero, Guido. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521719380/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=Spectacle and Display9325&creativeASIN=0521719380&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1b90561c922b87b9608d09e3afe7757f The Renaissance in Italy during : A Social and Cultural History of the Rinascimento]</i> (Cambridge University Press, 2015), p. 648 </ref> Feudalism was a political-social and economic system that gave political and military power to the landed elite and which tied the majority of the Renaissance population to this elite. Feudalism was a system that demanded obedience, deference, and ordained that people should accept their position in society , without question. It endorsed a view that was obsessed with display it advanced the belief that the world is governed by unchanging and spectaclefixed by God's laws. Life Feudalism was never strong in Italy, even in the towns High Middle Ages, and cities of after the time were structured around an apparently endless round of civic and religious ceremonies and festivals1350s, it all but collapsed. The courts collapse of feudalism led to the rulers were also renowned for lavish spectaclesrelease of social forces that led to the Renaissance. <ref>CelenzaLopez, Christopher and Kenneth GouvensRobert Sabatino, Editors<i>[https://www.amazon. Humanism and Creativity in com/gp/product/B007ETTC22/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007ETTC22&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4960cf91c401faa3cb7c990af3e6761e The Three Ages of the Italian Renaissance (Longmans]</i> Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, Leiden 2006)1970,ppp. 295–32689</ref>. The New Elites such as the De Medici used spectacles People were freer than ever before, and display they were prepared to assert themselves in question and doubt and develop new ideas about society and to demonstrate their wealth. Wealthy members create new means of the urban elite expression and the aristocracy were always keen styles of art to demonstrate their statusrepresent them. This need Italy's society in the period from 1350 to publicize 1500 energized people and affirm one’s status led encouraged them to experiment with the patronage arts, thought, and modes of life.<ref> Gilbert, Felix. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691031630/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0691031630&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e4d96c0c5e014c0593f0205f31fee3d3 History: Politics or Culture? Reflections on Ranke and Burckhardt]</i>. (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1990). p. 109</ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}== Who became the New Elite during the Italian Renaissance? ==[[File: SC2.jpg|thumbnail|300px|thumbnail|Lorenzo De Medici ‘The Magnificent’]]The great artists and writers to provide displays and exhibit the wealth and power thinkers of the eliteRenaissance needed the patronage of wealthy patrons and rulers. This need for others recognition was vital The unique political situation in Italy meant that the Renaissance and it led to ruling class was distinct from the lavish patronage rest of the periodEurope. This led to a great deal Unlike elsewhere, they were not many hereditary rulers. Many of competition to patronize the best artists and writersrulers were often self-made men. For exampleThe ‘new rulers’ in Renaissance Italy usually acquired power through war, such as the Sforza’s in Milan or by manipulating the existing political system as in the Sforza paid De Vinci Medici case in Florence.<ref> Burckhardt, 1990, p. 78</ref> They were to play a huge sum to work for them crucial role in Milanthe Renaissance's development and the values that inspired it. The need for display and ostentation benefitted humanistsSince they were often ruled by political conquest, they legitimated rule their rule through artists, ' and writers composers' lavish patronage. Renaissance artists such as it Donatello benefitted from this system and allowed them artists to receive more commissions and it also encouraged them to be more creative and daring to produce works work consistently. A Swiss Cultural historian in the nineteenth century argued that would get these new rulers saw the attention for their patrons‘state as a work of art.’<ref> CelenzaBurkhardt, p. 296134</ref>. [[File: SC1.jpg|thumbnail|200px|Fransico Sforza, a mercenary who became Duke of Milan]]

These new rulers also could not rely on traditional power structures to support the rule of their governments. This meant that they often adapted and changed governments' systems in the city-states to maintain and perpetuate their rule. This meant that they sought other models of government, and as a result, they came under the influence of the classical world. The new leaders employed learned men to help them in their government and for their bureaucracy. They regularly employed humanists, and in this way, humanism influenced the development of the state.  The Humanists often used their classical learning to provide solutions to current problems. This did much to promote classical learning in this period, which could have practical value and not merely academic. The ideas and the classical world's works that privileged reason and the individual became very influential, which encouraged a new world view among the educated and the literate.<ref> Burckhardt, 1990, p. 156</ref> ==Did Individualism become celebrated during the Italian Renaissance? ==Perhaps the greatest difference between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was the latter’s renewed interest in the individual. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, there was the example of the New Rulers. They had secured political control and often absolute power through their own initiative and depending only on their talent and will.<ref>Burkhardt, 1990, p. 167</ref> They were living proof that a person could use innate talents and their gifts could raise themselves from a lowly station and by sheer will power change their destiny. The individual was seen as something positive and that people could change their ordained status in society, in contrast to medieval thinking.  The example of the New Rulers was particularly influential at a time of increased social mobility. Because of the collapse of the feudal system in the aftermath of the Black Death, social mobility became more common. People born poor could rise and improve their lot. Many humble traders became wealthy merchants.<ref> Burckhardt, 1990, p. 156</ref>  This new emphasis on the individual imbued the artists, scholars, and writers of the time and represented in the works. The new focus on the individual is evident in artists' work as diverse as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. The status of the artist increased immeasurably at this time. The new value placed on the individual and their abilities meant that the artist's role and place in society were changed. No longer are they seen as craftsmen who were often members of guilds, now they came to be regarded as talented and extraordinary individuals with a significant role in society. The modern conception of the artist owes much to the Renaissance view of the artists. The artists' new status allowed them greater freedom of expression, which allowed them to create so many timeless masterpieces.<ref> Burke, p 214</ref> <dh-ad/> ====Spectacle and Display====[[File: SC1.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Fransico Sforza, a mercenary who became Duke of Milan]]Italy during the Renaissance was a society that was obsessed with display and spectacle. Life in the towns and cities was structured around an apparently endless round of civic and religious ceremonies and festivals. The courts of the rulers were also renowned for lavish spectacles. <ref>Celenza, Christopher, and Kenneth Gouvens, Editors. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9004149074/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=9004149074&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e30a1e7a250f2433267f6270d8640f11 Humanism and Creativity in the Renaissance]</i> (Longmans, Leiden 2006),pp. 295–326</ref>  The New Elites such as the De Medici used spectacles and display to assert themselves in society and to demonstrate their wealth. Wealthy members of the urban elite and the aristocracy were always keen to demonstrate their status. This need to publicize and affirm one’s status led to the patronage of great artists and writers to provide displays and exhibit the wealth and power of the elite. This need for others' recognition was vital in the Renaissance, which led to the lavish patronage of the period. This led to a great deal of competition to patronize the best artists and writers. For example, the Sforza paid De Vinci a huge sum to work for them in Milan. The need for display and ostentation benefitted humanists, artists, and writers as it allowed them to receive more commissions. It also encouraged them to be more creative and daring to produce works that would get their patrons' attention.<ref>Celenza, p. 296</ref> <div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> ====Related DailyHistory.org Articles===={{#dpl:category=Renaissance History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}</div> == What was Secularismduring the Renaissance?== Perhaps the great impact of the Papacy on Italy and beyond was on religious belief. The increasing secular outlook and policies of the Pope were viewed with disgust and outrage by many religious people, especially outside Italy.<ref> Duffy, Eamon. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300206127/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300206127&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1d87d8482b2ccfba05039944a61b1172 Saints & and Sinners: A History of the Popes]. </i> Yale University Press, 1997), p. 211</ref>. Many people in Christendom were worried that if the Pope was corrupt, was the church also corrupt , and what did this mean for their salvation . <ref>Duffy, p. 334</ref>. The Church at this period needed reform, all over Europe. Successive Popes did not attempt to reform the clergy as they were too preoccupied with their Italy's interests in Italy and especially in the Papal States. The lives of the Popes scandalized many and led to many becoming disenchanted with the Catholic Church. Prior to Before the Counter-Reformation , religious observance was lax , and the Inquisition which was found to enforce Church doctrine, fell into abeyance.<ref> Duffy, p. 335</ref>.  The increasing secularism of the Italian elite and also of the emerging class of traders and bureaucrats was to prove proved decisive in the Renaissance. No longer was the world seen just as a vale of tears , but it was a place where men and women could find meaning and even beauty. During the Renaissance, people were quite willing to celebrate this life and not just wait for happiness in the next life. People came to see something special and unique in the human experience. In Renaissance society, the body was not seen as a source of sin , but under the influence of secular ideas, it came to be something to be celebrated and not scorned. Evidence of this is seen everywhere in the works of the great artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo, that celebrate the human form.  This increasingly, secular outlook and the optimism about the human condition led to what Jacob Burckhardt has called the ‘discovery of man and the world’ world.’<ref> Burkhardt, p. 115</ref>. Influenced by classical ideas, many in the Renaissance became more aware of the humans' potential of humans and began to investigate the world. A new worldview emerged in Renaissance Italy, which affirmed the dignity of men and women 's dignity and their capabilities.  ==ConclusionWhat was the impact of the Renaissance on Italy? ==The Renaissance changed the history of Italy, Europe, and the world. It first emerged in Italy , and this was no coincidence. Italian society in the period from 1350-1500 was one that was ideally suited for the development of a new culture and view of the world. The growing wealth and urbanization of Northern Italy meant that a new culture developed to replace the old medieval order and its values. The society was one that privileged the individual and believed that life could be meaningful. The new elite in this society, that appreciated display, and ostentation, encouraged them to patronage of great artists. It was also a factor in the experimentation carried out by writers and artists who sought to impress their patrons.  Perhaps the key social factor in the development of the Renaissance in Italy was the growing secularism of society, no . No longer were men and women confined to a theological interpretation of the world and life but sought to find an alternative way of living in their new society. In the new environment, many sought guidance for the new society emerging in the great works of the classical past , and in their desire to emulate the past, they managed to create a new culture. One that in many ways laid the foundations for the modern world.  ====References====<references/> Updated December 28, 2020 [[Category:Italian History]] [[Category:Renaissance History]] [[Category:European History]][[category:wikis]]{{Mediawiki:Renaissance History}} {{Contributors}}