Renaissance and Reformation, caused many changes which defined the way in we look at many aspects of modern life. The rebirth of Art, Architecture, and Religion paved the way towards many major advances in the human race. Renaissance, which comes from the French word “Rebirth” was a rebirth of the old Roman and Greek civilization, which began in Italy in 1350, and lasted until 1600. The Renaissance sparked advances in Art, and Architecture. Humans developed what is called individualism, people wanted to receive personal credit for what they did instead of praising God for everything.
Many styles of architecture were developed during the renaissance. The renaissance really appears to be a time when the human mind flourished with creativity. When you look at Medieval artwork, you can see that artists painted saints and religious themes, they did not present humans as “humans” meaning they did not have individual characteristics. Post Renaissance works prove that the human mind had progressed, as artists began to contrast between light and darkness, used 3 dimensional images, and used single point perspective.
During the renaissance there was advances in literature, but most importantly Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. The printing press made it possible for trends and education to spread through Europe. Reformation was a 16th century movement in western Europe that aimed at changing many teachings of the Roman Catholic church, which resulted in the establishment of the Protestant church. One church existed in Western Europe in the year 1500. The Roman Catholic Church. At the top was the Pope in Rome who literally governed everything.
Three things greatly affected the reformation, the renaissance, men were beginning to dominate thought, The printing press, and last but not least the rise of powerful Nation-States with an all powerful monarch. One individual named Martin Luther got extremely angry at the churches selling of indulgences, he posted his 95 Theses at Wittenberg Castle, in which he criticized the selling of indulgences. Part of his anger was that the German money was going to Rome. Thanks to the printing press, the 95 theses was printed all over Germany, and eventually Europe.
The reformation strengthened the middle class, Reformation encouraged the spread of education. In both Catholic and Protestant countries, the reformation strengthened the state at the expense of the church. Reformation also led to the colonization of North America, protestants in England were persecuted for their religious beliefs by Queen Mary. “Bloody Mary” murdered many protestants to prevent the growth of the protestant faith in England. This led to a group of Protestants called pilgrims, to make a pilgrimage to the new world, where they would be free to practice their religious belief without fear of persecution.
