The renaissance era years was a period of tremendous social, political and cultural change in Europe. It began in the 14th century and lasted until the 17th century, culminating with the Age of Enlightenment. Europe transformed from its Medieval roots to become an increasingly modern world during this time.
Renaissance thinkers sought to revive classical literature and philosophy while introducing new ideas. The works of famous writers such as Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo Buonarroti and William Shakespeare were highly influential during this period. They helped shape the way people thought about science, politics and art.
In addition to advances in literature and philosophy, technological innovations also played a large role during this time period. The invention of the printing press drastically changed how information was disseminated across Europe. By making it easier for people to access books, pamphlets and other written materials quickly became more widely available than ever before. This allowed people to share ideas quicker than ever before, which helped spur further innovation during this period and increased literacy rates across Europe.