Oklahoma Academic Standard 2. The student will analyze patterns of social, economic, political, and cultural changes during the rise of Western civilization and the Global Age (1400-1750 CE).  

Objective 2.1  Assess the significance of the Renaissance on politics, economics, and artistic creativity, including the works of Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and daVinci.

In a Nutshell

The Renaissance or “rebirth” of ideas and free thinking stimulated multiple aspects of civilization as the earlier Greco-Roman traditions flourished in Europe. This objective requires students to evaluate the lasting impact of specific leaders of the Renaissance, historically, as well as reflected in today’s society.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students in reinforcing thinking by evaluating and challenging ideas and assumptions, regarding the significance of the Renaissance, analyzing and explaining inconsistencies in reasoning.

• Provide frequent opportunities for students to evaluate the usefulness of primary and secondary sources for inquiry on the Renaissance, based on the author, date, place of origin,  intended audience, and purpose. 

• Analyze the roles of specific individuals and groups who shaped historically significant events, both nationally, regionally, and on a global scale. 

• Develop a self-generated thesis or claim related to independent research and investigations on the significance of the Renaissance using credible and relevant sources.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• impact of patron families in the arts

• growing influence of reason and logic over faith and tradition

• rise of humanism

• importance of the printing press, the written word, and the use of vernacular; Guttenberg, Dante, Chaucer

• influence of Humanists including Sir Thomas More and Erasmus

• impact of Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince on political thought

• Michelangelo’s works and dispute with the church

• status and model of DaVinci as "Renaissance Man"  

• Though this time period was a time of artistic outpouring, some students may not recognize it also witnessed the impact of the accumulation of great wealth, often by individuals who were self-serving.

Instructional Resources