欧洲文化07 The European Renaissance.ppt

An Introduction to European Culture Lecture 11- The later European Renaissance; France, Spain and the Dutch Republic. The Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries. This was due to Italy’s the wealth and political organisation of the Italian city states together with their proximity to the knowledge of Byzantium and the Muslim world. By the later 15th century, the Italian Renaissance was on the decline. In the 14th and early 15th centuries, Italian cities like Florence and Genoa, were the richest and most powerful in Europe. The leaders of these cities had enormous influence on politics not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. By the early 15th century, two European powers rose to challenge the dominance of the Italian states and their economic and political dominance. By 1500, France and Spain were becoming the most powerful European states and fought each other for control of Italy. After victory in the 100 years war against England (1377-1453), France emerged as a powerful state. The kingdom of France become consolidated and a powerful state under King Louis XI (reign 1461- 1483). The war gave the king a strong army and a strong central state administration. This was the beginning of the French absolutist state. In the same period, Spain also became a powerful nation. After defeating Moslems in southern Spain, the two kingdoms of Castille and Aragon were united in 1469. A single kingdom of Spain came into being with the marriage of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castille in 1469. By the end of the 15th century, the new strong kingdoms of Spain and France were looking to increase their power in Europe. They looked to Italy, then the political and financial power base of the West. In 1494, Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and seized Naples. The Spanish feared French power and a coalition led by the Kingdom of Spain forced the French to retreat. The Wars that followed then devastated large areas of Italy. By the middle of the