The Renaissance and the Reformation (introduction).

-- In the 15th and 16th centuries, a new way of understanding the world developed, called humanism.
-- Humanism focused on human values and looked bck to the classical cultures of Greece and Rome. This cange in thought led to a new cultural movement based on classical secular art called the Renaissance.
-- During this period, people began to criticise the corruption and abuses of the Catholic Church. This inresst led to a reform movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Christianity in Europe became divided between Catholic and Protestants.