Station 1 - The Start of the Renaissance

Question

“Renaissance Discussion Activity
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Directions: For this discussion, you will be using the following PDF to complete these assigned “stations".
Each station has the name of the corresponding reading in the PDF file. You will use the reading to answer the questions in each station. Make sure that you answer each station fully.

PDF READINGS

Station 1 – The Start of the Renaissance
Answer the following questions using the STATION 1- THE START OF THE RENAISSANCE PDF

What two things were brought into Europe that created a bustling economy, prosperous cities, and new classes of people?

What event strengthened contacts between Western Europe and Byzantine and Muslim cultures?

Describe how Marco Polo’s travels along the Silk Road helped spark interest in Eastern culture:

The increase in trade led to a new kind of money economy.
What were people using to buy merchandise?
What was the purpose of a “money changer”?
As a result of this new economy, who grew rich?
What were they able to do?

Answer the following questions using the back of STATION 1- INFLUENCE OF ITALIAN CITY-STATES PDF.

Where did the Renaissance begin?


In Italy, growing towns developed into independent ______________-_________________ . Each consisted of a power city and the surrounding territory, which might include other towns.
The Italian city-states conducted their own _____________________, collected their own ______________, and made their own _____________ .
What family became the wealthiest family in Florence?

What each of the following Italian city-states specialized in:
Florence:

Milan:

Genoa:

Venice:

Where did the ideas of the Italian city-states spread during the Renaissance:

Station 2 – Florence & the Medici Family
Answer the following questions using the STATION 2 - FLORENCE PDF

1. What city was the leading cultural center during the Renaissance?

2. Name four famous Renaissance Men who were from Florence:
1) 2) 3) 4)
3. How did the LOCATION of Florence help it become such a wealthy city?

4. What city became the center of banking in Europe?

5. How many people lived in Florence?

6. What family dominated the city of Florence?

7. How did the Medici family acquire their wealth?

Station 3 – Humanism
Answer the following questions using the STATION 3 - HUMANISM PDF

1. Define Humanism:
2. Petrarch was the first what?

3. What was Petrach’s vernacular?

4. Where was Dante from?

5. What is his most famous work?

What is the Divine Comedy:

CHRISTIAN HUMANIST QUESTIONS:
Who were the two best known Christian Humanist?
1)

2)
2. In 1509, what did Erasmus write?

3. Who did his book poke fun at?

4. Why did he think all people should study the Bible?

5. In 1516, what did Thomas More write?

6. What does the word “utopia” mean in Greek?

7. What does it mean in English?

8. What language did he write in?

Answer 1

Certainly! Below are answers based on the themes and questions outlined from the readings for each station on the Renaissance:

Station 1 - The Start of the Renaissance

1. What two things were brought into Europe that created a bustling economy, prosperous cities, and new classes of people?

   • The two things were increased trade with the East (especially luxury goods and spices) and new banking practices that provided financial services.

2. What event strengthened contacts between Western Europe and Byzantine and Muslim cultures?

   • The Crusades strengthened contacts between these regions, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange.

3. Describe how Marco Polo’s travels along the Silk Road helped spark interest in Eastern culture:

   • Marco Polo’s travels introduced Europe to the wealth, cultures, and advancements in science and technology from the East, notably through his accounts of his experiences in China and the Mongol Empire, which captivated the imaginations of Europeans.

4. The increase in trade led to a new kind of money economy. What were people using to buy merchandise?

   • People began using coins rather than bartering, leading to a market-based economy.

5. What was the purpose of a “money changer”?

   • Money changers exchanged different currencies and guided people on proper transaction methods, helping to standardize trade practices.

6. As a result of this new economy, who grew rich? What were they able to do?

   • Wealthy merchants and banking families grew rich, enabling them to invest in art, culture, and infrastructure, which contributed to the flourishing of the Renaissance.

Answer the following questions using the back of STATION 1 - INFLUENCE OF ITALIAN CITY-STATES PDF.

1. Where did the Renaissance begin?

   • The Renaissance began in Italy.

2. In Italy, growing towns developed into independent -___.

   • city-states.

3. The Italian city-states conducted their own ________________, collected their own _____________, and made their own _____________.

   • government, taxes, laws.

4. What family became the wealthiest family in Florence?

   • The Medici family.

5. What each of the following Italian city-states specialized in:

   • Florence: Textiles and banking.
   • Milan: Military and weapons production.
   • Genoa: Maritime trade and banking.
   • Venice: Trade, particularly with the East.

6. Where did the ideas of the Italian city-states spread during the Renaissance:

   • These ideas spread throughout Europe, influencing places like France, Spain, and England.

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Station 2 – Florence & the Medici Family

1. What city was the leading cultural center during the Renaissance?

   • Florence.

2. Name four famous Renaissance Men who were from Florence:

   1. Leonardo da Vinci
   2. Michelangelo
   3. Botticelli
   4. Galileo.

3. How did the LOCATION of Florence help it become such a wealthy city?

   • Its location on trade routes between Northern and Southern Europe facilitated commerce and contributed to its economic prosperity.

4. What city became the center of banking in Europe?

   • Florence became the center of banking in Europe.

5. How many people lived in Florence?

   • Approximately 70,000 people lived in Florence during the height of the Renaissance.

6. What family dominated the city of Florence?

   • The Medici family.

7. How did the Medici family acquire their wealth?

   • The Medici family acquired their wealth through banking, commerce, and investments in the arts.

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Station 3 – Humanism

1. Define Humanism:

   • Humanism is an intellectual movement that emphasized the study of classical texts, human potential, and achievements, focusing on secular subjects rather than religious ones.

2. Petrarch was the first what?

   • Petrarch was the first humanist and poet of the Renaissance.

3. What was Petrarch’s vernacular?

   • Petrarch wrote primarily in Italian, which gave rise to the use of vernacular literature.

4. Where was Dante from?

   • Dante was from Florence, Italy.

5. What is his most famous work?

   • Dante’s most famous work is "The Divine Comedy."

6. What is the Divine Comedy:

   • The Divine Comedy is an epic poem that describes Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, exploring themes of morality, spirituality, and human experience.

CHRISTIAN HUMANIST QUESTIONS:

1. Who were the two best known Christian Humanist?

   1. Erasmus
   2. Thomas More.

2. In 1509, what did Erasmus write?

   • Erasmus wrote "The Praise of Folly."

3. Who did his book poke fun at?

   • His book poked fun at the corruption and hypocrisy of the clergy and various religious practices.

4. Why did he think all people should study the Bible?

   • Erasmus believed that studying the Bible would lead to moral betterment and deeper understanding of Christianity.

5. In 1516, what did Thomas More write?

   • Thomas More wrote "Utopia."

6. What does the word “utopia” mean in Greek?

   • In Greek, it means "no place" or "nowhere."

7. What does it mean in English?

   • In English, it is often interpreted as an ideal or perfect society.

8. What language did he write in?

   • Thomas More wrote in Latin.

Feel free to adjust or elaborate on these answers based on the specific PDF content you are referring to!