hallmunc 2019 background guide crisis committee...topic b- government institution of republic vs...
TRANSCRIPT
Topic A- The Rise of Banking Families and Their
Consolidation of Power
Topic B- Government institution of Republic vs
Monarchy/oligarchy
Chair: John Moses
Undersecretary: Ryan Callahan
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the Calvert Hall Model United Nations Conference!
My name is John Moses and I am incredibly excited to be your
chair for the Signoria of Florence Crisis Committee as we
determine the future of the Great Republic of Florence. Get
ready for a great day full of conflict, debate, and surprises!
I am a Senior at Calvert Hall, and have had the privilege to serve
as the secretary general of the Calvert Hall Model United
Nations team. I have competed at several competitions including
the Baltimore Area Model United Nations
Conference, Centennial High School Model United Nations
Conference, and John’s Hopkins Model United Nations
Conference. My main focus is specifically on crisis committees
as I have been awarded best delegate in Crisis at each of these
competitions, and now I am very excited to be a chair for this
committee.
In this committee, you will need a comprehensive understanding
of the Florentine Republic, as well as your characters role in
this. You must also understand the banking wars of the time, so
you know it ways not an actual war, but rather a grasp for power
between the three great banks of the time: Medici, Albizzi, and
the Pazzi.
Regard,
John Moses
Secretary General
Calvert Hall Model United Nations
Delegate Biographies
Cosimo de’ Medici: After his father Giovanni’s death in
1429,he was appointed head of the Medici Family. His power
stemmed from his wealth as a banker and he had an incredibly
large influence in politics. Although he didn’t often hold office,
his wealth gave him the position to choose who was given office
positions.
Rinaldo degli Albizzi: An italian nobleman appointed to leader
of his family’s oligarchy after the death of Uzzano in 1431. He
was a main opponent of the Medici family. He worked very hard
to try and depose the Medici as the most influential family in
Florence. Gave small regard to the Pazzi, but worked for his
own personal gain and the gain of his family
Andrea de Pazzi: The leader of an extremely influential
banking family throughout the middle ages. Opposes the Medici
family and worked hard to gain power in Florence through the
his wealth. Worked with Albizzi only because of mutual enemy,
but only for personal gain. He would turn on Albizzi for the rise
of the Pazzi
Francesco Salviati Riario: An influential priest in Pisa and is
being considered, at this time by the pope to become the new
archbishop of Pisa. The Medici family opposed his possible
appointment as archbishop as he favors the Pazzi.
Baldassarre Cossa: Regarded as an anti-pope by many. He was
disposed in 1415 because of many various crimes he committed.
The medici freed him by paying a ransom to Germany. Has
returned back to florence after the bail and is attempting to
regain power.
Luca degli Albizzi: He is the brother of Rinaldo degli Albizzi
and he is second in command of the bank. Though there is a
strain in their relationship because Luca is a friend and supporter
of Cosimo because he believes the Albizzi bank will benefit if
they work with the Medici not against.
Piero de Medici: He is the son of Cosimo de Medici and works
very hard to prove himself in the Medici bank as he is next in
line to run it. He is married to Lucrezia even though they marry
in 1944 the fast pace of this committee will overtake that year so
he will be married to her during the committee.
Antonio Pierozzi: Influential dominican friar and supported by
the Medici over Riario for Archbishop of Florence or Pisa as
long as Riario does not become an archbishop. (Becomes a saint
after death interesting fact)
Jacopo de Pazzi: Son of Andrea de Pazzi and works with his
father to depose the Medici. Unlike his father he does not trust
the Albizzi and believes that the Pazzi should working against
the Albizzi, so they do not gain more power than the Pazzi after
they, hopefully, depose the Medici.
Contessina de Medici: Wife of Cosimo de Medici and is very
good friends with Palla di Onofrio Strozzi even though Palla is
not a supporter of the Medici bank. She works hard to support
the Medici bank and keep it thriving.
Palla di Onofrio Strozzi: The Head of the Strozzi Bank. One of
the richest men in Florence at the time, but did have much care
for immense political power worked very closely with RInaldo
degli Albizzi to oppose Cosimo de Medici. Friends with
Contessina de Medici, but does not support the Medici bank.
Priori Arte dei Giudici e Notai (Maggiori): Representative of
the Major guild of judges, lawyers and notaries. Loyalties lie
wherever is deemed necessary to push goals of a just society or
that benefits the guild.
Lucrezia de Medici: Married to Piero di Medici and works with
him to help the medici bank. She is very influential and knows
Luca degli Albizzi very well.
Priori Arte dei Vaiai e Pellicciai (Maggiori): Representative of
the Major guild of skinners and fur traders. Loyalties lie
wherever it is necessary to push the goals of trade in Florence.
Supports whatever allows more trade and benefits the guild.
Filippo Brunelleschi: He is a famous florentine architect and
works very closely with Cosimo de Medici. He is famous for the
building of the Dome on the cathedral, but the Dome has not
been completed yet due to the lack of funds and a workforce.
Priori Arte dei Calzolai (Minore): Representative of the minor
guild of shoemakers. Huge supporter of a republic, and supports
anyone who supports a true republic. Also supports anyone who
keeps work open and supports the poorer people in the
Florentine community.
Priori Arte della Seta (Maggiori): Representative of the major
guild of silk weavers and merchants. Huge supporters of foreign
trade and supports anyone who pushes for more foreign trade.
Supports Venice for their market’s access to silk.
Priori Arte dei Beccai (Minore): Representative of the minor
guild of Butchers and graziers. Supports a true republic and any
supporters of the impoverished in Florence. Also supports a
limit on large foreign trade of food or any trade that harms the
guild.
Topic A Background
We are starting this committee following the Death of Giovanni
di Bicci de Medici, the founder of the Medici bank. Three
families were fighting for Power in Florence during this time
period: The Albizzi, Pazzi, and the Medici. Even though not
everyone ways a member of these families every person had a
certain preference towards a certain family. Depending on who
someone supported meant that they were able to rise to the top
in Florence in terms of power that meant it would benefit the
supporters as well.
Support also came from many of the surrounding Countries
including: the Papal States, the Duchy of Milan, and the
Republic of Florence. Many people leaned towards different
countries for support as all three of those states are enemies. The
Rise and Fall of each of these states are what lead to the rise and
fall of the banking families as well. So, all in all wherever your
loyalties lie will correlate to your own rise and fall in Florence.
Topic B Background
Government is a huge issue in Florence at this time. Many
people have Problems with families like the Medici because
they were wool farmers and had no connections to any royal
blood. So, that is why there were a few areas of thought.
Monarchy/oligarchy- Some people believed that royal blood
should decided who gets to rule. Many families including some
banking families, like the Albizzi, support the idea of an elite
group of people ruling Florence.
Republic- Some people believed in the idea of allowing anyone
to be able to be a part of the Signoria. That includes many of the
Priori because many of them come from the basic populous, but
are given power. One example is the Medici family who rose
from lowly wool merchants.
The fate of Florence's government basically lies in the hands of
the Signoria as many of the surrounding nations support either
the royal blood system or the republic system. Example: Milan
supports the royal blood system and Venice supports a Republic
in Florence.
HISTORY OF GUILDS, SIGNORIA, AND FLORENCE
The Signoria of Florence was a council in Florence that
ruled from 1115 to 1532 A.D.The head of the signoria was the
Gonfaloniere. Once chosen to be a part of the council, the
council members were expected to move into the Palazzo della
Signoria. Here they enjoyed a steady pay and servants to take
care of them.
The 7 major guilds that members of the signoria were picked
from were Arte dei Giudici e Notai, Arte di Calimala, Arte della
Lana, Arte del Cambio, Arte della Seta, Arte dei Medici e
Speziali, Arte dei Vaiai e Pellicciai.
The Arte dei Giudici Guild was the guild of judges, lawyers and
notaries, which was founded in 1197. The Arte di Calimala was
the guild of merchants and dyers of foreign clothe, they were
founded in 1190. The Arte della Lana was the guild of wool
manufacturers and merchants, this guild was officially founded
in 1192. The Arte del Cambio was the guild of bankers and was
formally founded by 1197. The Arte della Seta was the guild of
Silk weavers and was officially founded in 1192. The Arte dei
Medici e Speziali was the guild of Physicians and pharmacists,
this guild was formally founded in 1197. Finally, there was the
Arte dei Vaiai e Pellicciai which was the guild of furriers and
skinners, they were founded in 1197.
The signoria was not the only council in Florence. The signoria
were required to consult the councils together known as the
Collegi. This consisted of the Dodici Buonomini, a council
which consisted of 12 members, and the Sedici Gonfaloniere,
which consisted of 16 people. Other councils did exist for war,
commerce and security but, were only summoned in times of
need for those actions.
The signoria of Florence came about because of a rebellion in
1115 against the Margraviate of Tuscany. After they were
successful they formed a commune that later came into being the
council of the Republic of Florence.
Florence flourished in the 12th century, but this ended when
Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa invaded the Italian peninsula
and Florence was subjugated under the holy roman empire.
Once Emperor Henry the 5th died though, they were able to gain
back much of the lost independence of their city state.
The war between two major factions, the Ghibellines and the
Guelphs raged throughout the centuries of Florence. The