Question

A major reason that the Renaissance began in Italy was that:

A.merchants supported the Green Revolution
B.Italian city-states had grown wealthy from trade between Europe and Asia
C.many European scholars had migrated to this area
D.farmers produced great agricultural surpluses on vast plains

Answer 1

The Renaissance began in Italy primarily due to the wealth accumulated by Italian city-states from trade, particularly on the Silk Road, and the rise of a powerful merchant class that invested in the arts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why the Renaissance Began in Italy

The Renaissance, a period of cultural rebirth, began in Italy primarily due to the wealth accumulated from trade. The Italian city-states, during the late Middle Ages, became prosperous as key players in the trade between Europe and Asia. This increase in wealth and shift from feudalism catalyzed social and economic change, which ultimately supported the emergence of the Renaissance and its spread throughout Europe.

Italian Trade Cities like Venice, Florence, and Milan became rich through their strategic locations on the trade routes, especially the Silk Road. This wealth, coupled with the rise of a powerful merchant class, led to an environment where art, architecture, and humanistic learning flourished. The influx of money into these cities meant that families like the Medici in Florence could become patrons of the arts, funding the work of artists and leading to a prolific period of artistic production.