656 Lesson 28

GUIDE TO READING NOTES 28For Sections 28.3 to 28.5, carefully examine the image your teacher isprojecting and read the section. Then find the related box on these twopages, and answer the questions.

28.3 The Growth of Trade and Commerce 1. Why did towns become more important as trade grew?

Centrally located towns became bustling centers of trade, attractingmerchants, craftspeople, and customers. Towns also began to provide services for traveling merchants.

2. How did the rise of commerce and banking affect life in towns and cities?Merchants, craftspeople, and bankers became more important and powerful. They used their newwealth to commission art and new buildings and to found universities.

3. How did the growth of trade and commerce help the Renaissance begin?

The new ideas and goods brought from the East renewed people’s interest in ancient Greece andRome. The new wealth they generated helped to fund a growth in art and learning.

Possible answers:

28.4 The Influence of Italian City-States1. What were city-states? How were they governed?

They were powerful cities in Italy that ruled the surrounding towns and countryside.They were independent and were often republics governed by elected councils.Sometimes they were ruled by rich merchants, guilds, or powerful families.

2. How did Italian city-states become so powerful?

Because of their central Mediterranean location, they became booming centers of tradeand business.

3. How did Italian city-states contribute to a boom in art and learning?

Their wealth encouraged a growth in art and learning. Rich families supported the creation of art, new buildings, and centers of learning, such as universities and hospitals.

The Renaissance Begins 657

GUIDE TO READING NOTES 28

28.5 The Growth ofHumanism 1. What did humanists

believe about people’sabilities?

Humanists believed thatpeople could shape their ownlives and achieve greatthings.

2. What subjects from ancient times did humanistsstudy and explore?

Humanists studied ancient art, architecture, government, history, poetry, and language.

3. How did humanists’ studies and ideas affectRenaissance life?

People began to change their ideas about manythings, such as government, social standing, and religion. They tried to improve upon the art, buildings, and ideas of the past, which led to new discoveries, new ways of studying things, and newinventions in many areas of life.