Learning in the Renaissance

From Cunnan
Jump to navigationJump to search

Perhaps the most significant invention of the Renaissance was the printing press. Apart from allowing many copies of the Bible to be distributed much more easily and cheaply than copying by hand, the new technology allowed wide distribution of political information, Renaissance Music works, Renaissance Dance texts, and many other works.

The printing press allowed a much broader audience to read Martin Luther's German translation of the Bible, it also helped spread Luther's other writings, greatly accelerating the pace of the Reformation.

Access to the printing press allowed Universities in the Renaissance to spread learning much more widely, and enabling them to take the lead in learning away from the Monasteries. This in turn lead to the triumph of the Humanists, primarily based at the Universities over the Scholastics, primarily based in the Monasteries.

See Also