The Italian Renaissance The fourteenth century witnessed the beginnings of remarkable changes in many aspects of the Italian society. In the fifteenth century it spread beyond Italy and gradually influenced society in northern Europe. These cultural changes have been labeled the “Renaissance.” The Renaissance was a rebirth. New ideas and new ways of thinking were developed. Things were gone about differently and people had different priorities. The Italian Renaissance did not extend much from the medieval period with examples such as the difference in artistic ways, the thought of women, and