The Rise and Fall of Venice Geography is Destiny The Rise and Fall of Venice

History of Venice A group of islands make up the Italian city-state of Venice The area around Venice has very poor soil, making agriculture close to impossible. In order to survive, the Venetians turned to the sea. The Venetians became expert sailors and shipbuilders Over time, the Venetians were able to monopolize in salt trading by capturing the salt-producing areas of the Adriatic Sea.

Venice

Big Ideas Venice was a major commercial power during the Renaissance. As a result of their trading around the Mediterranean, the Venetians became extraordinarily wealthy. The Venetians used this wealth to help promote the Renaissance in their city.

Key Terms Monopoly – Occurs when a certain person or group controls a commodity in the marketplace Doge – The ruler of Venice Genoa – The trading rivals of Venice St. Mark – The patron saint of Venice

The Grand Canal

St. Mark’s Square

St. Mark’s Basilica

The Horses of St. Mark

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Exemplary political system Fair electoral system Capable and committed leadership Effective system of checks on power Practical policies Strong navy

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Exemplary political system Strong government – Aristocratic Republic (leaders elected from nobles) No dominance of power by families

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Fair electoral system Nominating committee formed by Great Council (balloting) Prevented dominance of power by a family/ individual No election campaigns = no rivalries Voting by Great Council to prevent incompetent officers from holding office Short term (6 months – 2 years) = no individual has too much power No more than one member allowed from a noble family in the Ducal Council = spread power, prevent nepotism

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Capable and Committed Leadership Venice was ruled by the Doge. Forward looking, capable Fine those who refused to take up office

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Effective system of checks on power Signoria made crucial decisions Close checks on election process and officers’ performance Council of Ten looked out for any possible attempts at monopolizing power Membership at the council limited to 1 yr; no more than 1 member from the same family Elected leaders could not abuse their power

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Practical Policies Paid pirates to stop harassing trading ships until navy was strong enough Establish friendly relations with Muslim traders despite war (preserve trading opportunities) Captured weak trading ports in Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, captured important ports like Cyprus and Crete

Trade with the Ottomans The Venetians engaged in trade with the Ottomans. Since the Church outlawed trade with the Ottomans (a Muslim empire), the Venetians created an elaborate lie in order to justify their involvement.

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Political Factors Strong Navy Captured trading ports Enforce maritime laws Protected Venice from attacks Forced ships to call at Venice ports = collect taxes Control trade routes Different ships for different purpose

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors Trade monopoly An adventurous spirit Provision of trade services Diversifying into manufacturing

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors Trade Monopoly Venice dominated the Mediterranean Sea, used Arab ports where spices can be found (using land and sea routes) Brought variety of goods from East and sold them to European states at large profits. Venetians acted as middlemen Central and Southern Europe dependent on Venice for goods (spices, fragrant woods, sugar, diamonds, iron, glassware, wool) from the East Controlled Adriatic Sea and monopolized the salt trade

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors An adventurous Spirit Sailed and traveled over land in search of business, fortune and adventure (Eg. Polo Family, Marco Polo) Went as far as China, east of Indian Ocean, south of Africa, Arab states and the Far East to trade

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors Provision of Trade Services Banking, insurance, money exchange services Credit banking facilities, use of cheques, charged interest for lending money Insurers to bear risks involved in shipping Government established state bank to guarantee stability and reliability of banking system Provides confidence to foreign traders

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors Diversify into Manufacturing Set up factories to manufacture goods for export (glass, soap, textiles, book-printing) at affordable prices Many foreigners came to look for jobs Skilled craftsmen not allowed to leave the city state Government controlled export of raw materials

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Social Factors Commenda system Attracting foreign talents Loyalty to Venice

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th Century Social Factors Commenda system The commenda system encouraged social mobility by allowing two partners to work out a shipping agreement. One member would sponsor a voyage while the other would undertake it. Over time the two would accumulate wealth.

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Social Factors Attracting Foreign Talents Greeks, Jews, Turks considered Venice their homeland Freedom of faith, respecting one another Welcomed competitors as they contributed to centre of arts and trade (artisans, scholars) Privileged memberships at guild houses for skilled artisans (to attract them to Venice) Equal opportunities given to foreigners

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Social Factors Loyalty to Venice Personal sacrifices to raise funds for defense Rallied to Venice’s defense when Genoa threatened Venice’s existence in the late 14th century

Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Venice as a Centre of the Arts Wealth from trade led to development and flourishing of the arts Famous for architecture, paintings and mosaics.

Venice Review Questions Why did the Venetians turn to the sea for their livelihood? Why is a monopoly bad in an economy? What is a Doge? Explain the commenda system. Explain how Venice’s political and economic factors contributed to their success.

Decline of Venice External Factors Internal Factors Wars with the Ottoman Empire Rise of Large States Discovery of new sea route Competition from trade rivals Internal Factors Corruption in the government Elimination of the commenda system

Decline of Venice External Factors Wars with the Ottoman Empire Ottomans captured many overseas colonies and sea routes from Venice Controlled many coastal territories along the trade routes

Decline of Venice External Factors Rise of Large States France, Spain, England had more resources and manpower than Venice Venice sandwiched and had no overlord – left to defend itself Northern Italy threatened by France in 15th century; coastal territories attacked by Ottoman Empire Venice safeguarded mainland territories and was defeated by the Ottoman Empire – Peace treaty 1503

Decline of Venice External Factors Discovery of new sea route Short cut to India via Cape of Good Hope Bypass Venetian traders and traded directly with the East Destroyed Venice monopoly and reduced profits Portuguese captured Malacca in 1511 shipped spices from SEA to Portugal – Venetians must stop at Portugal port on the way to the East in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Wanted to cut a canal through Suez but too costly

Decline of Venice External Factors Competition from New Trade Rivals More interest from other states to trade in the East Traveled directly to the East to trade 1600, EIC (East India Company) specialized in trading of tea and porcelain from China, cotton and pepper from India => bypassing Venice 1602, Dutch EIC formed richer and better ships than Portugal and Venice Well-organized system Thirty years War in Europe saw greater involvement from Netherlands in trading activities Destroyed trading centers States preferred trading with Netherlands than Venice

Decline of Venice Internal Factors Corruption in the Government High taxes imposed; salaries of civil servants suspended to finance the Ottoman war Led to unhappiness Senate chose candidate who paid highest price for the post; candidate bribed the Great Council to vote for him Small group of nobles controlling major political posts Moved from one office to another (not allowed to hold the same office for more than a year) Poor and not well-educated nobles were not given a chance to hold important post => Vote for candidates who paid them well Abuse their power, share no common goal

Decline of Venice Internal Factors Elimination of the commenda system Powerful families wanted to consolidate their power so their eliminated the commenda system. This effectively halted social mobility in Venice.