A rebirth of Classical learning. The rediscovery and reevaluation of writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans suggested a "rebirth." Nineteenth-century historians seized on the idea to create our present image of "The Renaissance."

The gradual change from the feudal system to the modern state. Starting in northern Italy, the hierarchical state—led by either the urban bourgeoisie or despotic nobles—replaced the fluid and often chaotic feudal system of the Middle Ages. For this reason, some historians refer to the Renaissance as the Early Modern Era.

A change in the views of the earth and the cosmos. The voyages of Christopher Columbus (1451?–1506) and Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480–1521) expanded Europe’s view of the world. The astronomical studies of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543)—later championed by Galileo Galilei (1564–1642)—called into question the old earth-centered view of the universe.