The European Renaissance was characterized by advances and new developments in literature, science, religion, politics, and, above all, works of art. It turned out to be a reemergence of learning based on classical sources. The Renaissance was not as widespread as one might think. It is essentially described as a period of cultural movements rather than technological advances. Its time period ranged roughly from the 14th century to the 17th century. It is debated how far the movement extended and exactly how many areas were influenced by the Renaissance era. The European Renaissance is thought to have originated in Florence, Italy, in the 14th century, and occurred after the Black Death. The Black Death was a disease that affected all of Europe. It caused the deaths of about a third of the European population. The survivors were devastated by the loss of their loved ones, but found they were better off financially and socially, working their way up the social ladder. Specifically in Italy, there was greater social mobility. The upward mobility of individuals in this period allowed them to patronize early artists and rebuild libraries. In some areas there was greater competitiveness between workers and their bosses, but the "new" wealth was spent on displaying objects that strengthened prestige. This allowed citizens to patronize Renaissance artists. Traders in regions such as Italy saw an increase in their wealth through trade, using the same trade routes where the Black Death spread. Commercial income was further developed by Renaissance developments in trade, resulting in merchants having more wealth to protect. The Renaissance brought new concepts of life and... middle of paper... such as Italy and Germany. The economies of Italy and Germany failed, causing increased famine and the spread of disease among the population. The main effect the Reformation had on Europe was religious thought. The Churches now taught the importance of individual conscience and gained new purity and strength through the Counter-Reformation. The Counter-Reformation was created by the Catholic Churches as a response to the Protestant Reformation. Both the Renaissance and the Reformation helped shape all countries today. The Renaissance helped people focus more on the individual person rather than the social class they were born into. The Reformation was a foundational element for other forms of Christianity that are still taught today, such as Protestantism. If we had neither, our religion, our politics, and even our writing would be different.