The Renaissance (Research Paper Sample)

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The Renaissance
Renaissance is a French word which means rebirth. In this particular context renaissance is the period by which Italy and Europe experienced cultural change and led to a number of achievements. The period of renaissance was between the year 1914 and 1916. In the modern world, the term renaissance was introduced by historians in the 19th century (Wilcox 38). The changes that occurred during this period were mostly conducted by the learned people in the society. There were a great number of things and activities that changed from their original form during the renaissance period. The life of the people changed from the way it used to be in the middle life ages.
The era of renaissance began in Central Italy mostly in Siena and Florence Cities. After some time, it extended to the City of Venice. It is in the Venice where cultural remains of the Ancient Greek were gathered thus this made it possible for humanist Scholars to come up with new writings. Renaissance made a great impact on Rome where by some of the structures were rebuilt by the Popes in the 16th Century (Wilcox 38).
There are cultural changes that are associated with Italian renaissance. In terms of literature, people began collecting books and other works and putting them together. Most of the writings that were in vernacular such as Greek and Latin were translated to English by the writers who came about them in 15th century. Before that renaissance period, people used to make religious paintings but this later changed and people began painting real people and animals. There was invention of a printing press known by Aldo Manuzio who was a printer and a resident of Venice. Through the printing press, small portable books that would fit the pocket of human clothes were printed. This printing press was the first one to print books that were written in Ancient Greece (Wilson 289). This era also marks the start of economic relapse in Italy. The relapse was contributed to by creation of trade routes in Atlantic as well as, invasion by other countries.
The 14th century also marked the collapse of the Italian economy as a result of famines and the high population growth. There was change in climate that affected agriculture. There were wars between France and England that affected the countries located in North West Europe. One of the major notable contributors of economic down turn was when King Edward who ruled in 1345 repudiated his debts leasing to breakdown of the major banks. The wars and trade routes made people to migrate to Italy thus causing a major population growth. The authors that existed during the renaissance period were recognized in 1914 (Wilcox 41). A number of disasters that occurred during the renaissance period have a significant contribution to growth of the era. For instance, there was Black Death that led to sweeping of almost one third of the population. Due to these deaths there was shortage of labor which led to increase in salaries and wages and as a result, workers were able to accumulate wealth. With time population grew again and people demanded for more goods and services. This led to openings up of new banks and businesses. This economic relapse is considered to be one of the notable features of renaissance period (Wilson 290).
During the renaissance period, there was growth in the field of science and technology. Some of the notable inventions include invention of a printing press, portable clock screwdriver and riffles. There was also advancement in astronomy whereby people would no longer depend on weather prediction due to invention of a modern telescope by astronomers. As much as people used trade routes to access Europe, no one had ever sailed across the ocean. Christopher Columbus was the first person to sail across Atlantic ...