Renaissance

• Fall of Constantinople


  1453
• Fall of Constantinople


  1. Ottomans attack

  2. Greek scholars flee to Italy taking everything with them
• Gutenberg invented the Printing Press


  1440s
• Printing Press


  • It allowed Bibles, non-religious books, printed music and more to be made in larger amounts and reach more people
• Declining Power of Church

  • Blamed for Black Death
  • Scandals within the Church
  • Church seen as corrupt
  • Even have 2 people claiming to be Pope
• Increased Trade


  • Desire for adventure and richer societies meant that oversees trade became very popular
  • Caravel invented
  • People able to borrow money due to reduced authority of the Church
• Population dropped by
• Feudal System was destroyed
• Labourers became merchants / merchants became nobles
• Italy became very wealthy
• People blame religion for deaths
• A richer society meant more money could be spent on art, literature, sculpture etc