The Renaissance was a time of great change in Europe. It brought about new ideas in art, culture, and science. This period of history is often seen as a time of rebirth, as many of the advancements that were made during this time helped to pave the way for the modern world.
So what did the Renaissance accomplish that matters so much?
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 accomplishments of the Renaissance that changed the course of history.
What did the Renaissance Accomplish?
The Renaissance was a period of immense achievements in art, architecture, science, and literature. It was a time of flourishing creativity, and many of the advances that were made during this period are still with us today.
Even though we refer to these as accomplishments of the Renaissance, we should never forget that these accomplishments were made by remarkable individuals Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo Galilei, and countless other less famous but equally consequential people.
Here are the top 10 accomplishments of the Renaissance:
- Revived Humanism and introduced Secularism
- Triggered the Protestant Reformation
- Revived Classical Education
- Brought about The Printing Revolution
- Launched the Age of Exploration
- Created Amazing Works of Art
- Advanced Science, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine
- Developed New Ideas in Politics and Philosophy
- Changed the Economy and Society
- Led to the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution
Let’s look closely at each of these 10 accomplishments o the Renaissance.
#1. Revived Humanism and introduced Secularism
Humanism is the idea that humans should seek knowledge and develop their own values and beliefs. Humanism was a central part of the Renaissance, as thinkers sought to revive and explore Greek and Roman ideas about life, culture, and politics. This revival of antiquity and Classical learning came to be known as Renaissance Humanism.
Through its emphasis on individualism, personal independence, rejection of religious dogma, promotion of reason, empirical evidence and freedom of thought, Renaissance Humanism opened the door to secularism. This was a major shift in thinking from the Middle Ages, when religion was highly influential in all aspects of life.
#2. Triggered the Protestant Reformation
The Renaissance significantly impacted the Catholic Church by creating an environment in which reform became possible.
In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses (Disputation on the Power of Indulgences) on the door of a Catholic Church in Germany. These were a series of points outlining Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic Church especially when it came to the selling of Indulgences, and what eventually became known as the Protestant Reformation was born. This religious movement had far-reaching effects on both politics and society in Europe and beyond.
So, the Renaissance led to the Protestant Reformation, which helped to break down the power of the Catholic Church and encouraged more people to question what they were being taught, which opened the door for more intellectual exploration and discussion.
#3. Revived Classical Education
The Renaissance was a period of renewed interest in the arts and humanities. During this time, education began to focus more on classical culture and literature, such as the works of Plato, Aristotle, and other ancient philosophers.
This focus on classical education helped to shape the minds of some of the most influential figures of the Renaissance.
#4. Brought about The Printing Revolution
The invention of the printing press in 1450 was one of the most significant events of the Renaissance. This invention enabled books, pamphlets and other materials to be quickly and cheaply produced in large quantities.
This made learning more accessible to a wider range of people, allowing for the spread of new ideas and information throughout Europe.
#5. Launched the Age of Exploration
During the Renaissance, Europeans began to explore the world beyond their own borders, launching the Age of Exploration. This period saw some of the world’s greatest explorers, including Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, setting off on epic voyages to distant lands.
This exploration helped to spread European culture around the globe and also opened up new opportunities for trade and commerce.
#6. Created Amazing Works of Art
The Renaissance was a period of great artistic achievement, with some of the world’s most famous artists producing masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “David” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”.
This period saw a renewed interest in classical art and culture, with painters, sculptors, and architects taking inspiration from the works of ancient Greece and Rome.
#7. Advanced Science, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine
During the Renaissance, scientists and thinkers made great strides in fields such as astronomy, anatomy and medicine. Astronomers such as Galileo and Copernicus helped to advance our understanding of the universe, while anatomists like Andreas Vesalius improved medical knowledge through their studies of the human body.
Vesalius, a Flemish scientist, is considering one of the founding fathers of modern anatomy and physiology publishing the set of books ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem’ in 1543, provided a definitive description of what was known of the human body.
French surgeon Ambroise Pare used silk threads to stitch veins and arteries while William Harvey studied the circulatory system.
#8. Developed New Ideas in Politics and Philosophy
The Renaissance saw the development of some important new ideas in politics and philosophy. Niccolò Machiavelli wrote a famous book called The Prince, which proposed that rulers should be willing to do what was necessary to maintain order, even if it meant disregarding moral principles. This and other works helped to shape the political landscape in Europe.
In many parts of Europe, political power shifted away from the Catholic Church and towards rising nations and empires laying the foundations for nation-states and modern Europe.
#9. Changed the Economy and Society
The Renaissance was a period of great economic growth. Trade routes were expanded, and merchants began to focus more on production and profit. This change in the economy also had an effect on society, encouraging people to move away from a feudal system based on land ownership and towards a more capitalist economy based on money.
The Renaissance also affected the merchant class. Merchants and traders became wealthy and powerful. In many cases, this led to political power as with the House of Medici.
Financial concepts which we take for granted like banking, double-entry bookkeeping, and insurance were all innovations of the Renaissance period. The first seeds of modern capitalism were sowed.
#10. Led to the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution
At the end of the Renaissance, the ideas of reason and rational thought that had been developing during this period helped to pave the way for what became known as the Enlightenment.
During this period, thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Voltaire and Montesquieu worked to challenge existing ideas about government and society. Their ideas eventually led to the overthrow of monarchies and the creation of more liberal forms of government.
The discoveries of scientists and thinkers during the Renaissance helped to lay the foundation for what eventually became known as the Scientific Revolution. This period saw great advances
in fields such as physics, chemistry and biology, furthering our understanding of the world around us.
To Wrap Up …
The simple answer to the question – What did the Renaissance accomplish? – is: A heck of a lot!
The Renaissance saw advancements in art, science, politics, philosophy and the economy. This period was a time of great innovation and development that paved the way for what would eventually become known as the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution.
Thanks to this period of intense activity and creativity, we have some of our most beloved works of art today – from Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel – as well as many of the scientific and political ideas we take for granted. It was truly a period unlike any other, and one that continues to have an impact on our world today.