The renaissance began sometimes back between the years one thousand three hundred and fifty to one thousand five hundred and fifty or between the years one thousand three hundred and one thousand six hundred. This was an era marked by regeneration, rebirth as well as tragedy. Historians believe that this epoch in history brought with it the modern experience seen in the current world. In this part of the question, I am going to investigate why Historians share this school of thought. Renaissance refers to the time in Europe ending the medieval ages and giving rise to modernity. It also meant a rebirth or renewal in the way man was organizing his lifestyle in the field of art, learning, literature, and even architecture.
This historical season began when the Black Death struck Europe. This was the tragic part of renaissance. It led to the death of one quarter of European population. This was known as the medieval Black Death. It began as a plague in Asia during the 1330s which could not be controlled. It may have “spread eastward into China and south into the Indian subcontinent…”. However, there are no reliable records to support this. The diseases changed its course towards the Eastern direction. It further moved to the south near Black Sea and finally found its way in Europe and Africa. More lives were lost in these regions affected by the plague. It “coursed inland on boats and barges, along waterways and down roads”.
As a result, most of the people in Europe were awaken by the disaster. They started giving more value and treasure to their lives than before. They became a lot keen on the prevailing disasters and took extra caution. Moreover, they learnt through a bad experience that there is only one chance to live. This thought brought a refreshing spirit which ushered in modernity. Also, the spirit of exploration and research was greatly renewed.
The Western Civilization was restored and rebuilt by the Humanist, also believed to be the father of renaissance. There was broadening of the mind. The conventional line of thinking adopted from the Bible or Church Fathers slowly faded away. Each individual was thought to be equally important. The human life on earth became valuable, not just God. Humanists were not atheists; they only believed that there was need to glorify human beings not God alone. The classics like Cicero, Sophocles, and Virgil provided great motivation and inspiration to the Humanist. They also held a strong belief that human beings should experiment, study, improve and enjoy life while still on earth. Human beings were supposed to have the understanding of why and how things happen.
The above Humanist ideas alongside the “Why and How” about life brought a lot of effect in Western Europe in terms of invention and innovation. Learning institutions based on “humanistic” concept were built. Books written in local languages and not Latin were adopted. This led to springing up of new taste of artists and philosophers. Great thinkers were born during the era.
Renaissance affected the economic policy of capitalism greatly. The rate of production went up. More and more enterprises were set up. Besides capitalism, the growth of Science in space exploration grew by leaps and bounds. Scientists like Ptolemy and Copernicus made astronomy become real.
In summary, renaissance era marked the turning point in people’s thinking pattern. As a consequence, Western Europeans became more creative, innovative and inventive leading to modernity seen today and it is the reason why Renaissance is often referred to as the “birth of modernity”.