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The time between the 13th and the 16th century (1400's-1700's) is considered the time of the Renaissance. The history of Europe prior made it possible that a rebirth of mankind's abilities and physical structure possible. In the mid to late 1300's the church's hold on the people was shaken when the Black Plague affirmed to people that the church was not all knowing. People started to believe in their own destiny and own abilities more so than at any time.

The church at this time was dealt a heavier blow than that of the Black Plague, it was a German monk named Martin Luther. Martin Luther openly challenged the practices of the church. Many people bought what Martin Luther was selling because of the invention of the Printing Press. Without the printing press Luther's message could have been easily squashed.

Directly, the Renaissance started in the peninsula of Italy. The cities of Italy worked independently and also against each other. The spirited competition along with the profitable commerce of the Mediterranean Sea gave the Italian cities a gross amount of money. The next part of competition grew into the realm of politics. Since there wasn't a limit to what could be done economically and politically, the cities of Italy kept on raising the bar. The following cities were the major players in the time of the Renaissance: Milan, Florence, Genoa, Siena, and Pisa. Florence was by far the most important city.

Key terms of this era are the following:

Renaissance: Rebirth

Individualism: Stress of personality, uniqueness and the full development of a person's abilities

Humanism: Focus on man's achievements, interests, and capabilities

Secularism: Concern with the material world, not spiritual