We have arrived at the Italian Renaissance and explored its explosion of knowledge in the Arts as it’s scholars rediscover Ancient Greek and Roman texts and artefacts. But whom does this knowledge benefit? Scholars and rich merchants participate but the general population just enjoys the spectacles and the beautiful public buildings that patrons donate to their city states in Northern Italy. More significant may be the banking reforms introduced by the Medici of Florence and their establishment of an international European bank with the gold florin as the major trading currency of Europe. Bankers also to the Popes, they introduced many of the modern banking practices that are still in use today: audits, double entry book keeping etc.
Of more impact on the average person, was the Black Death which reduced Europe’s population by half between 1346 and 1353. But it brought advantages too. Feudalism was almost entirely wiped out as the scarcity of laborers enabled them to dictate new and better terms of employment. Port cities grew, labor saving inventions appeared and much more. One of these inventions was Gutenberg’s printing press, which revolutionized access to written information for all who could read.
Meg Dillon
Of more impact on the average person, was the Black Death which reduced Europe’s population by half between 1346 and 1353. But it brought advantages too. Feudalism was almost entirely wiped out as the scarcity of laborers enabled them to dictate new and better terms of employment. Port cities grew, labor saving inventions appeared and much more. One of these inventions was Gutenberg’s printing press, which revolutionized access to written information for all who could read.
Meg Dillon
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