Reformation Section 1: Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance The period from 1300 to 1600 is known as the Renaissance, which means rebirth, and refers to a revival of art and learning. Italy had 3 advantages that made it the birthplace of the Renaissance: thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage of Greece and Rome. Overseas trade led to large city-states. The bubonic plague in the 1300's killed 60 percent of the population. Merchants dominated politics. The Medici…
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