How Did European Society Differ From 1350 To 1700

Throughout the years 1350-1700 Europe saw an enormous shift in the way they viewed the outside world and how they conducted themselves in daily affairs. The three main shifts that occurred during these years were the Renaissance, two major reformations, and the Scientific Revolution. These three advancements shaped the way Europe was portrayed and have had an effect on society today. The Renaissance was the movement after the Middle Ages that focused on renewing Europe by showing interest in the classical learning from Rome and Greece (pg. 325). The three points that advanced during this period were the arts, literature, and printing. These developments of new ideas revolving around classical learning were the “launching pad” for the future

330). An advancement that has been regarded as one of the greatest discoveries throughout human history occurred during the Northern Renaissance. This advancement being the printing press discovered by Johannes Gutenberg (pg. 331). This was an extreme finding as it has shaped the way the world functions today. Printing was a very tedious and meticulous job, but as centuries have passed and technology has expanded, the art of printing is a past thought. The printing press is one of the numerous inventions that have been passed on and are still used today. Additionally, English literature saw an expansion during the Northern Renaissance. William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays that focused on many emotions and grew to define drama (William Shakespeare). William’s plays are still used in a number of various schools, communities, and even countries. After the creation of the printing press, Albrecht Dürer was able to show the way in which illustrations could be placed in books (pg. 333). The Northern Renaissance used many ideas from the Italian Renaissance, but also had their own creative instincts that have shaped the way our society as a whole is able to