The+Renaissance

=__The Renaissance__= The Renaissance was an age of artistic, social, scientific and finacial growth that began in nothern Italy. Europe was coming out of the Dark Ages, and a cultural revival had begun. New interests in science, math, art, discovery and other studies arose during the Renaissance. After the dismal Middle Ages, people were ready to improve life and discover more about the world. During the Middle Ages, books were costly and education was scarce, but when [|Gutenberg] invented the printing press, books became readily available to the common citizen at an affordable price. An overwhelming demand for books soon followed now that everyone had access to them. This sparked the zeal for learning and thinking. Rather than being taught lessons solely by the church, readers could now learn about new philosophies, like [|(Renaissance) Humanism], which was a belief in human potential, dignity and reason.

//To sum up what the Renaissance was about:// The Renaissance was the age of awakening as Humanism took shape. As opposed to the Middle Age beliefs, it was believed that humans had value, and were capable of great things (liberal arts, etc.). The printing press was invented, allowing books to pave the way for new philosophies that rejected the traditional church teachings. (Renaissance) Humanism emerged as the dominant philosophical belief and people turned to nature, instead of God, for truth. Individuality set many minds free to ponder more different ideas. The Renaissance was a time of thinking, discovering and creating, all in the presence of mankind's newfound self-confidence.

To learn more about this period in history, visit this link:
 * http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/index.html**

**[|Politics and War]**
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**__Influencial Thinkers__**

 * Click the pictures below to learn about the most influencial thinkers of the Renaissance:**

//**Petrarch**//

[[image:leonardo-da-vinci.jpg link="Leonardo Da Vinci"]]

 * //Leonardo da Vinci//**

//**Giovanni Pico della Mirandola**//

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