history: The Renaissance

History: Renaissance

The Renaissance

1400 AD - 1650 AD

The Middle Ages marked a dark time for humanity. With such events as the Crusades, and the Black Death, many people throughout Europe and Asia were so busy concentrating on staying alive, that few had the opportunity to focus on the advancement of culture.

But the end of the Middle Ages was marked by a "New Birth" of human interest in culture, art, science and literature.

People in Europe began to question the authority of the Catholic Church, which had come to lord over them with an abusive power.

The challenge to the Catholic Church brought about years of struggle between the rulers and countries of Europe as the Protestant Reformation began to spread throughout Europe.

The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire caused thoughts and ideas of the Ancient Greeks to spread throughout Europe. There was a renewed interest in science and discovery.

This "New Birth" caused many to explore far beyond their homelands, and thus the Americas were discovered by Europeans, thus changing the story of mankind forever.