Chapter 13, Part I

Terms to Outline:

Meaning of the word "Renaissance"
Communes
popolo
Signori
oligarchy
individualism
humanism
secular spirit

Questions to Consider:

• Why did the Renaissance originate in Italy?
• What competitions existed as to who governed in the Italian city-states?
• How did rule become despotic by 1300?
• How did the Italian city states maintain a balance of power?  Why was this important? 
• How were individualism, humanism, and the secular spirit considered new ways of thinking?
• Name some examples of humanist thinkers.  Why were their ideas considered new?
• Does religion exist concurrently with these new beliefs?  How?
• Why might the classical subjects revived by the Renaissance have declined in importance during the Medieval era?