Middle Ages DBQ
In the 500’s, a period known as the Middle Ages spread throughout Europe. During this time, interests of society were religious, social classes were highly segregated, and inquiries in science were disapproved of. In 1348, the people of this period experienced a widespread epidemic known as the Black Plague. After the plague, people began to lose their faith in God because they believed He had failed to protect them and allowed them die. The plague killed more than one-third of Europe’s population, leaving those who survived devastated and alone. The surviving members of society looked for knowledge and seeked answers. Due to the Black Plague in 1348, the Middle Ages collapsed giving way to the Renaissance period which led to a new social structure
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Before the Renaissance, art primarily focused on themes of faith and religion and was insignificant. As the Renaissance Era continued, however, art became more valued. As time progressed, only certain people could learn the skill of painting. In a book called The Book of Courtier, the writer, Castiglione, emphasizes, “children of gentle birth were required to learn painting at school, as worthy and necessary accomplishment. … a public law was passed forbidding it to be taught to slaves” (Doc 2). During the Renaissance Era, social class was very prominent as the middle class could now learn new skills that the wealthy could as well. This not only increased the knowledge of many people but also gave us insight of how prosperous this time in age was. As new ideas were being born, art was reborn; new techniques for painting began to develop, revolutionizing art as we know it. A famous painter named Masaccio created a new type of work. His work contains three dimensional images and lifelike figures. (Doc 5) This creativity not only benefited him, but also inspired people others to be unique with their own work which ultimately resulting in the creation various eclectic pieces. These ideas about art as well as ideas of the period spread through trade. Because Italy is located near numerous large bodies of water, they were able to maintain many ports. People from neighboring regions would travel to and from Italy bringing and spread not only goods, but ideas. Thus the Renaissance began to have a larger impact on society, bringing creativity and inquiry to a new generation of people as well impacting our modern views on the
Before the Renaissance, art primarily focused on themes of faith and religion and was insignificant. As the Renaissance Era continued, however, art became more valued. As time progressed, only certain people could learn the skill of painting. In a book called The Book of Courtier, the writer, Castiglione, emphasizes, “children of gentle birth were required to learn painting at school, as worthy and necessary accomplishment. … a public law was passed forbidding it to be taught to slaves” (Doc 2). During the Renaissance Era, social class was very prominent as the middle class could now learn new skills that the wealthy could as well. This not only increased the knowledge of many people but also gave us insight of how prosperous this time in age was. As new ideas were being born, art was reborn; new techniques for painting began to develop, revolutionizing art as we know it. A famous painter named Masaccio created a new type of work. His work contains three dimensional images and lifelike figures. (Doc 5) This creativity not only benefited him, but also inspired people others to be unique with their own work which ultimately resulting in the creation various eclectic pieces. These ideas about art as well as ideas of the period spread through trade. Because Italy is located near numerous large bodies of water, they were able to maintain many ports. People from neighboring regions would travel to and from Italy bringing and spread not only goods, but ideas. Thus the Renaissance began to have a larger impact on society, bringing creativity and inquiry to a new generation of people as well impacting our modern views on the