the rise and fall of venice
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Social StudiesTRANSCRIPT
Venice: Rise and Fall of a Great City State
History of VeniceRise of VeniceFall of VeniceLessons Learnt
History of Venice
Group of islands made Venice Venetians were expert sailors and
shipbuilders Venetians monopolized in salt trading by
capturing salt producing areas (Adriatic Sea)
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 Citizens’ involvement in ensuring public peace
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
Social Factors Attracting foreign talents Loyalty to Venice
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 Pyramidal structure (see pg 152)
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 mths – 2 yrs) = 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 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
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 Political Factors
Citizens’ involvement in ensuring public peace Mandatory service in the navy Close checks on foreigners Serve the district – District Head Sense of belonging to Venice
Rise of Venice: 9th – 15th century Economic Factors
Trade Monopoly Hanseatic League** unable to compete with Venice in the eastern
trade 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 dependant on Venice for goods
(spices, fragrant woods, sugar, diamonds, iron, glassware, wool) from the East
Controlled Adriatic Sea and monopolized the salt trade
**Association of trading states in Northern Europe using overland route (cumbersome) through Russia**
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
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 mosaic
Decline of Venice
External 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 Complacency of Venetian society Imcompetent military leaders Over-dependence on mercenaries Insensitivity towards neighbouring states
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 Portugual and Venice Well-organized system
30 years War in Europe saw greater involvement from Netherlands in trading activities Destroyed trading centres 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 Complacency of Venetian Society
Distracted from duties because of indulgence in gambling and parties (despite laws)
By 16th century, not enough volunteers to serve the navy
Decline of Venice
Internal Factors Incompetent Military Leaders