Western Europe's Renaissance Beginnings

11th GradeSocial Studies60 min

Learning Objective

I can analyze the factors that led to the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in Western Europe.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

12 min

The Renaissance Explained - What was the Renaissance?

Pike & Shot Channel

Guided Notes

12 min

Key concepts students will learn:

  • The Renaissance was a period in Europe between 1300 and 1600 driven by man's search for meaning.

  • Italian humanists were unique because of their focus on the humanities, such as history, literature, and moral philosophy, and they believed antiquity was morally superior to their current times.

  • The rise of the middle class and the Great Plague led to increased individualism, and figures like the Medici family in Florence used art and scholarship to signal their legitimacy and compete with other city-states.

Practice

18 min

12 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Describe three factors that contributed to the rise of the Renaissance in Western Europe, as discussed in the video.

Teacher Guide

Get the complete package:

  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts