1. The Renaissance in Italy and the Rise of the City-States

2. The Italian City-States
Location – Historical crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea.
Trade
Merchants
Banking
Wealth
Papal domination of the Middle Ages meant no national outlook.

3. City-State Social Divisions – Florentine Example
Grandi – Old Rich, nobles or merchants traditionally rule the city (Pazzi and the Medici)
Popolo Grosso – New Rich, bankers and capitalists, challenge the new rich for power.
Middle-Burgher Ranks – guild masters, artisans, and professionals.
Popolo Minuto – lower economic classes
Ciompi Revolt
Arte della Lana

4. The Medici Banking Franchise
1434 – Cosimo de’ Medici – controlled the Office or Public Debt
Through manipulation of elections he will also control the Signoria
His grandson Lorenzo will rule Florence as a totalitarian until 1492
Cosimo de’ Medici (The Great)

5. Three Wise Men By Benozzo Gozzoli  

6. Lorenzo de' Medici
(The Magnificent)

7. Despotism Hired or installed strongmen or families
Purpose was to maintain law and order, but most importantly to keep business operating
They operated through mercenary armies known as condottieri
Ludovico Sforza
Francesco I Sforza

8. Effects of the City-State System
1 – Diplomacy thrived in the city-state environment.
The first embassies of Europe were created.
2 – The city-state system of Italy also created an environment for a flourishing of the arts. Why?
Competition
Money!!!!
Rome
Florence
Venice
Milan