The Renaissance Era: a Fire Lit in Civilization

The Renaissance Era was called the, “the world lit on fire”, by Manchester. The world’s curiosity was sparked, and each discovery only made it burn brighter. There were numerous scientific and artist revelations during the Renaissance Era. New religions arouse, and uncharted territories were charted. Philosophies spread through the land like wildfire. These landmark discoveries have influenced today’s scientific, religious, and geographic beliefs. Sea voyages led to the discovery of new and further trade routes. As trading grew, foreign materials, arts, and ideology spread.

The spread of ideology deepened our understanding of the natural world and led to the development of new religions. Art and material trade expanded, which expanded the economy momentarily. There are many famous voyagers from the Renaissance Era. For example, Ferdinand Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the world. While trying to find a direct route to India, Christopher Columbus navigated across the Atlantic Ocean four times. Vasco Nunez de Balboa surpassed Christopher Columbus by being the first voyager to reach the Pacific Ocean.

Without analyzing the sea, winds and waterways these sailors would have never accomplished such tasks. Though exploration allowed for economic and ideologic growth, it may have led to the decline of the Renaissance Era. Exploration was mainly funded by wealthy families seeking exotic artwork. As the artwork became too lofty or expensive, the families no longer supported sailors. In the Renaissance Era artists began to flourish, and scientists discovered the unknown. Shakespeare’s writing during the Renaissance Era influenced the English language and entertainment. Michelangelo sculpted anatomically correct people and scenes. Leonardo Da Vinci painted with such color and depth he pushed the limits of art. Da Vinci also studied science, engineering, mathematics, and astronomy. Da Vinci, Michelangelo and many others of their time wove science and art together seamlessly. Johan Kepler, a German astronomy, helped Copernicus spread knowledge that the universe is heliocentric. Copernicus and Kepler’s work would not have been possible without Galileo Galilei, as he was the first person known to use a telescope. These scientific and artistic influences have carried forward to today. Mathematics are studied in schools around the world. The engineering strategies developed in the Renaissance Era are used in today’s structure. The universe is still accepted as heliocentric. With newly accepted artwork and scientific discoveries, it is no wonder perceptions of the people began the change. Humanism is one of the key changes in society throughout the Renaissance Era.

According to Dictionary.com, humanism is “any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity predominate”. This, compared to previously, means that man is responsible for the development of civilization rather than a supernatural being. The Protestant Reformation is also a key turning point of thinking during the Renaissance Era. People began to study if the Catholic church’s actions aligned with the Bible. When it was found, the two did not line up completely a new branch of Catholicism, Protestantism, was founded. The continuation and spread of religion was made more possible by the printing press developed by Gutenberg. Gutenberg’s printing press allowed for faster and smoother production of books and readings. Gutenberg used metal and specialized ink unlike the original wooden Chinese press. Though Gutenberg and his associate printing many small readings, the Bible was the only complete book they ever produced.

Works Cited

1. AuthorLastName, FirstName. Title of the Book Being Referenced. City Name: Name of Publisher, Year. Type of Medium (e.g. Print).
2. LastName, First, Middle. “Article Title.” Journal Title (Year): Pages From – To. Print.

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