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Year 7 - History

The background to the Renaissance

The Renaissance: what do the artefacts of the Renaissance tell us about it?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the Renaissance by examining its material culture. They study various artefacts of the Renaissance and compare the Northern and Italian Renaissances. Throughout, pupils reflect on what evidence about the Renaissance can be taken from these sources.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why the Renaissance began.

Key Notes

  • The Renaissance began in the 14th century.
  • More scholars were interested in the Greek and Roman world.
  • The Renaissance was sparked by intellectual curiosity.
  • The Renaissance began in southern Europe.
  • Educated people such as humanists communicated in Latin.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Renaissance: from a French term for 'rebirth', the Renaissance was a period of revival in European art and literature under the influence of classical ideas
  • classical: something is classical when it relates to ancient Greece or Rome
  • humanists: humanists were people who were interested in the classical world and the potential of the human race

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think that many of the ideas of the Renaissance were new to science, literature and art.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The Renaissance began in the 14th century. More scholars were interested in the Greek and Roman world.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Renaissance'

from a French term for 'rebirth', the Renaissance was a period of revival in European art and literature under the influence of classical ideas.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Pupils may think that many of the ideas of the Renaissance were new to science, literature and art. Correction: Explain to pupils that the Renaissance was a period during which knowledge lost in Western Europe was rediscovered, rather than created for the first time.

More Lessons In This Unit

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