The Printing Press Today s target: When combined with Renaissance and Humanist thinking, how did the Gutenberg s Printing Press technology change Europe? Take notes on your target sheet if needed.
Learning and writing before the printing press... Most common folk couldn t read during Middle Ages. Only clergy were regular readers and owners of books. Most books were printed in Latin - the language of the Church and scholars. Prior to the invention of the Printing Press, literature was painstakingly copied by hands. Monks copied Bibles in Latin in the scriptoriums. During the Renaissance, with humanist thinking the demand for literature in the vernacular (local languages) grew. Each letter was paid particular attention. It could take at least five years to print Bible. Books usually weren t translated into native languages from Latin. The only people who had access to the Bibles were priests and clergymen. Therefore, the common man had to go to the Roman Catholic Church to read the Bible
Gutenberg s Bible c. 1450 As humanism and Renaissance ideas developed, there was more demand for the ability to print literature and scientific findings quickly. Some wanted to read the Bible in their vernacular. Many men raced to find the way to print work in large quantities quickly, one man from Germany solved the problem. His name was Johannes Gutenberg. The Printing Press 15 minute Video Complete your target sheet while you watch. Think about: How was Gutenberg s method different and more effective than woodblock printing? What affect did this printing have on common people, religious people, leaders, readers, merchants, scientists? He printed indulgences first and also some poems. Woodblock about 2400 and a few by hand Tried in China, Korea and japan but so many characters, it was still a problem - also they had no Bible that would justify the cost and ensure it was sold His Bible still cost about three years wages but this was still cheaper than paying a monk like 20 years to hand copy Bible
Target Sheet Answer Trade your answer with a peer. Add at least one more detail to your peers target sheet. Remember to think about: How was Gutenberg s method different and more effective than woodblock printing? What affect did this printing have on common people, religious people, leaders, readers, merchants, scientists?
The printing press technology popped up in many cities in Europe Where did it spread? Why Germany and Italy most? What last? Describe the progression? Would you move to a city.
Reformation and Renaissance literature spread! Let s try it. We need a bunch of humanist thinkers and monks in European cities during the Renaissance. You will all attempt to hand copy a new learning idea by hand. You need a piece of paper, and you will begin copying what you see on the Elmo. Any mistakes and you ll have to begin again.
We need one Gutenberg to run a modern Printing Press The modern printer must be able to speak some German. Gutenberg was German. He has a printer with movable type. He can print one version of the work, and then he can print multiple copies. Here is an ipad - his printing press. There s a competition. During the next ten minutes - can the entire class print more versions or can Gutenberg s press?
Humanists in France - Are you ready to print?
Monks
Humanists in Germany - are you ready?
Humanists in Switzerland - are you ready to print?
Humanists in Spain - are you ready to print?
Humanists in England - are you ready to print?
Gutenberg Is your ipad Printing Press ready to print? I will place what you need to copy on the Elmo. Use your pen or your printing machine to recopy what you see exactly. You will have exactly ten minutes to see how many your groups can copy. Whichever method prints the most accurate copy gets extra credit - maybe you can change history.
How many printed completely and neatly? Monks/ Humanists printed: Gutenberg:
Reflection Questions - on whiteboard. 1. What are some of the benefits of Gutenberg s method of printing? 2. What impact do you think this had on language in Europe? 3. You re a Renaissance scientist. What impact does this printing press have on you? 4. You re the Pope. What are the pros and cons of the printing press in your eyes? 5. You are a member of the Catholic Church far away from Rome living in Germany. How does the printing press influence your religious beliefs? 6. You are a common man in England. What impact does the printing press have on you? 7. You are are in the bookbinder s guild. How does this effect you and your members? 8. Who else might this technology effect? Why? 9. For homework, complete the Printing Press reading and use it to add to Target Question. You will be able to use your target sheet on a quiz over the Printing Press tomorrow. Led to the increased use of vernacular languages Middle class grew in power due to knowledge
What s the big deal? It has been estimated that there were 30,000 books in all of Europe before Gutenberg printed his Bible. Less than 50 years later than were as many as 10-12 million books. Group brainstorm... The printing press helped spread Reformation and Renaissance ideas throughout Europe, and some call it the greatest invention next to the computer. How might this technology have led to problems in Europe in the 1500-1600s? Challenge Questions: How might the printing press promote ideas that many Americans value today? Individualism: the ideas that individuals can work for their own goals, and you don t have to work only for the good of the community. Secularism - the idea that religion is not seen as the key to understanding the world and that maybe government should be separate from religion - More books on science, government were printed and shared by thinkers throughout Europe Religious tolerance - accepting or permitting others religious beliefs which might be difference from one s owns It has been estimated that there were perhaps 30,000 books in all of Europe before Gutenberg printed his Bible; less than 50 years later, there were as many as 10 to 12 million books.question One: Different religions grow. The Catholic Church changes. Learning spread, More people learned to read, Religious ideas spread, new religions started, people could learn from one another, books were cheaper to print, science grew, authors and artists may have gotten more fame and learned from one another. Cities grow in places with printing press... Printers have jobs.