1. The Rise of the Renaissance Italy & the Creation of talian City-States
Why Italy?
The Rise of the Renaissance Italy & the Creation of talian City-States

2. Why Italy?
The Renaissance is typically thought to have originated in Italy.
But why?

3. 1.) The Location is Right…
Italy is located in the Mediterranean Sea & was able to dominate trade between the Middle East & Europe following the Crusades.

4. 1.) The Location is Right…

5. The Silk Road

6. 1.) The Location is Right…
Italy was a natural facilitator and City-States grew as a result
These City-States were politically & economically independent of Italy (self-sufficient)

7. 2.) Declining Heirarchy
Feudalism declined faster in Italy than in any other region in Europe
City-States were run by a republic (run by the people) rather than a Monarchy (king)

8. 3.) Lots o’ Money = Lots o’ Art
The increased trade & decline of Feudalism caused a surplus of wealth in Italy
People used this wealth to increase artistic patronage – causing art to florish!

9. 4.) Connections to the Past
Italy had a direct historical connection to the ancient Rome – which influenced Humanist Scholars to travel to Italy to study Roman ruins
Much art also drew inspiration from classical Greek & Roman civilization

10. The City –States of Italy
Some Background

11. Italian City-States
While NUMEROUS City-States developed during this time – arguably the 3 most powerful and influential were:
Venice
Genoa
Florence

12. Venice Venice is a city-state in the North East corner of Italy.
The Venetian fleet was the second largest in Italy and controlled most of the eastern seaports

13. Genoa Genoa was a city-state in North Western Italy
Genoa had the largest fleet in Italy and controlled most of the western seaports.

14. What similarities do the two city-states have?
What issues might arise?

15. Trade in the City States
Due to the rise of trade, conflict between the city-states becomes common.
There was fierce competition between the different city-states. The one who controlled the trade routes made more money.
Venice and Genoa meet in battle and Venice wins

17. Florence Florence is the most powerful Italian city-state.
Its power and wealth come from banking as opposed to trade.
The Medici family is the most powerful family in Florence.

18. Banks & Spreading of Italian Values
Banks became a central part of business in Northern Italy. The idea/concept of Usury (charging interest) made a lot of Italian bankers rich.
Wars brought instability to the Italian city-states. Leaders were sought who could bring stability and therefore increase profits for the traders.
Because of the strength/mobility (trade) of the Italian city-states, Italian values and ideas started to spread across Europe.

19. Medici who…
Most famous and powerful family in Italy (Florence). Made living as wool and silk merchants.
Controlled much of Florentine politics through alliances with other influential families.
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20. Medici family pics…nice mugs!