[americanophile]

"The Black Death may have been horrible, but without it there would never have been a Renaissance."

It probably played a role, but the fall of Constantinople, I think, is the true genesis.

[arrogantsob]

“...the fall of Constantinople, I think, is the true genesis.” Some good came from the evil of Islam.

[wagglebee]

The Black Death played a huge role in the emergence of the middle class in much of Europe. However, the main things that brought about the Renaissance were, as you mentioned, the fall of Constantinople, the opening of trade routes to the Orient and the Catholic Church changing the definition of usury from not being allowed to charge any interest to a prohibition against excessive interest.