By 1425, Florence was the powerhouse of the renaissance. It had a population of 60,000 and was a self-governed independent city-state. Large, wealthy families were dominant in politics, but the republic was conducted so that no one family or person could have complete rule of Florence. Florence’s republic during the renaissance founded ideas and techniques we use today. These techniques include alliances with other states and embassy intelligence reports. Humanism was another huge aspect in the republic of Florence. People started to think for themselves and believed in ideas such as education for everyone, not just the rich nobles. The people of Florence believed they could achieve wonderful accomplishments by themselves and for themselves.
One of the reasons Florence is a the center of Renaissance culture is because of it's wealth, creating opportunities to sponsor artists, architects, writers, and more. Florence's great wealth came from partly it's involvement in trade. Florence manufactured mostly textiles, especially wool. Another reason for Florence's great wealth was because of banking. Many successful bankers thrived in Florence, such as the Medici family. The Medici family was an extremely wealthy family and famous family. They were a family of great bankers, and they also played a strong role in Florentine politics. Although wealthy and influential families like the Medici family were very active in politics, the political system in Florence was set up so no one family or person dominated. Every two to six months new politicians were elected.
One of the reasons Florence is a the center of Renaissance culture is because of it's wealth, creating opportunities to sponsor artists, architects, writers, and more. Florence's great wealth came from partly it's involvement in trade. Florence manufactured mostly textiles, especially wool. Another reason for Florence's great wealth was because of banking. Many successful bankers thrived in Florence, such as the Medici family. The Medici family was an extremely wealthy family and famous family. They were a family of great bankers, and they also played a strong role in Florentine politics. Although wealthy and influential families like the Medici family were very active in politics, the political system in Florence was set up so no one family or person dominated. Every two to six months new politicians were elected.
Florence was major city for Renaissance art, being the birthplace of many famous artists. During the Renaissance, art began to link the sciences to art, as we see Michelangelo has done with his work, Creation of Adam, in the Sistine Chapel.
Many other artists were born and worked in Florence, like Donnatello, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, and more. Architects also thrived in Florence. For example, a famous architect named Brunelleschi designed a dome on the Santa del Fiore cathedral. This concept was inspired by ancient Roman architecture, a reoccurring theme in the Renaissance.
Sources on Florence:
One of the reasons Florence is a the center of Renaissance culture is because of it's wealth, creating opportunities to sponsor artists, architects, writers, and more. Florence's great wealth came from partly it's involvement in trade. Florence manufactured mostly textiles, especially wool. Another reason for Florence's great wealth was because of banking. Many successful bankers thrived in Florence, such as the Medici family. The Medici family was an extremely wealthy family and famous family. They were a family of great bankers, and they also played a strong role in Florentine politics. Although wealthy and influential families like the Medici family were very active in politics, the political system in Florence was set up so no one family or person dominated. Every two to six months new politicians were elected.
One of the reasons Florence is a the center of Renaissance culture is because of it's wealth, creating opportunities to sponsor artists, architects, writers, and more. Florence's great wealth came from partly it's involvement in trade. Florence manufactured mostly textiles, especially wool. Another reason for Florence's great wealth was because of banking. Many successful bankers thrived in Florence, such as the Medici family. The Medici family was an extremely wealthy family and famous family. They were a family of great bankers, and they also played a strong role in Florentine politics. Although wealthy and influential families like the Medici family were very active in politics, the political system in Florence was set up so no one family or person dominated. Every two to six months new politicians were elected.
Florence was major city for Renaissance art, being the birthplace of many famous artists. During the Renaissance, art began to link the sciences to art, as we see Michelangelo has done with his work, Creation of Adam, in the Sistine Chapel.
Many other artists were born and worked in Florence, like Donnatello, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, and more. Architects also thrived in Florence. For example, a famous architect named Brunelleschi designed a dome on the Santa del Fiore cathedral. This concept was inspired by ancient Roman architecture, a reoccurring theme in the Renaissance.
Sources on Florence:
- http://www.ctevans.net/Nvcc/Student/Florence/
- http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Florence.html
- http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/florence.html
- http://library.thinkquest.org/C006522/life/children.php
- http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%20European%20History/Notes/italian_renaissance.htm