We have been studying Europe during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance is a time of change between the 14th century and the 16th century
During the Renaissance many ideas and practices changed.
There were changes in --
                                                        Government
                                                        Religion
                                                        Literature
                                                        Art
                                                        Science

                                    Changes in Government
People gained the feeling of being port of a nation instead of a feudal manor.
Kings used their power and money to improve and modernize their country.
Nations began to have disputes with each other over control of territory..

                            Changes in Religion
Martin Luther and others began to protest some of the practices of the Catholic Church
These attempts to reform the Catholic Church became knows as the Reformation and began a movement known as Protestantism. since its supporters had protested the practices of the Church.

                    Changes in Literature
During the Renaissance authors began to write about people with problems and bad habits instead of religious heroes.
They began writing in the vernacular, or everyday language of their readers.
Perhaps the best writer in the English language is William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare wrote comedies, histories, and tragedies.  His characters and plays are still known and performed today.

                                 Changes in Art             
Renaissance artists worked to make their sculptures and paintings to look real. 
                                                    
They studied anatomy and used perspective to give their works  lifelike qualities.
                                                      
Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci are some of the most famous Renaissance artists.

                      Changes in Science
Copernicus and others began to challenge the Church's accepted view of the natural world.
Copernicus was the first to observe that the earth was not he center of the universe.
                                              
He said that the sun was the center of our solar system.  This is knows as a heliocentric solar system.
Galileo's improved telescope proved Copernicus correct.
                       
The most important technological advancement during the Renaissance was the Movable type printing press.
                                                                      
Johannes Geutenberg used what he knew about metal, pressing wine, and Chinese printing
to develop completely new way to make books.
                                                                               
This made information about people, places, and things cheaper and available to more people.
This newly available information is what encouraged many of the changes during the renaissance.