Renaissance and Reformation?

Question

Why did the Renaissance originate in the 14th century in Italy and not elsewhere until later. And why did the Reformation originate in the Germanies? I would appreciate any answers... THank YoU

Answer 1

The Italy was the last bastion of classical culture during the middle ages when the Black Plague claimed almost half of Europe's population and Spain was under Moorish occupation. It would only be logical that later, when the reconquest of Moor occupied cities were underway, the resurgence of western knowledge and the rekindling of the fires of classical ideas would originate from Italy. As for the reformation, it was started by the protestant movement that called for the reform of the cathiolic church amidst perception of corruption among the clergy and the spread of false doctrine, a german reformist named Martin Luther(from whom Lutherans got their name) published his manifesto criticizing the church and was further empowered by the invention of the movable type printing press by Jonathan Guttenberg, making the manisfesto and the bible readily available to the masses.

Answer 2

Italy was the center of European commerce because of its location on the Mediterranean and its powerful banking establishments. It was in commercial contact with the Muslim societies which preserved the Greek and Roman writings as well as Far Eastern societies which offered new technological innovations of their own. That, and luck, I suppose.