The Italian City StatesThe Italian City States

How did increased trade lead How did increased trade lead to the emergence of powerful to the emergence of powerful

city-states in Italy?city-states in Italy?

City-StatesCity-States Because of trade cities Because of trade cities

began to grow. began to grow. Paris, Florence, Venice and Paris, Florence, Venice and

Genoa were the largest Genoa were the largest cities in Europe. cities in Europe.

Larger urban populations Larger urban populations led to an increased led to an increased demand for food & a new demand for food & a new wealthy merchant class wealthy merchant class grew. grew.

Industries also grew like Industries also grew like textile and furniture. textile and furniture.

People moved from rural People moved from rural areas to work in these areas to work in these industries. industries.

City -States were formed City -States were formed and became very powerful and became very powerful because of the increase because of the increase industry, trade and industry, trade and banking. banking.

Competition for tradeCompetition for trade

Genoa and Venice competed for control of Genoa and Venice competed for control of the sea routes in the Mediterranean. the sea routes in the Mediterranean.

Venice had a strong trading network Venice had a strong trading network because of its dealing with the Eastbecause of its dealing with the East

Genoa controlled a share of trade in Genoa controlled a share of trade in eastern Mediterranean and in the western eastern Mediterranean and in the western part (Spanish ports)part (Spanish ports)

City-states wanted to expand hinterland City-states wanted to expand hinterland territory = warfare.territory = warfare.

The Battle of ChioggiaThe Battle of Chioggia

Painted by an unknown artist in the 1400’s. Venetian warships battled a fleet from Genoa. Notice that the ships are not under sail but are beingpowered by rowers. What might be the advantage of this strategy?

Commerce in the City Commerce in the City StatesStates

Merchants made money by purchasing Merchants made money by purchasing goods in one place and then selling goods in one place and then selling them for a higher price in another them for a higher price in another place.place.

Bought spices and luxury fabrics ready Bought spices and luxury fabrics ready for the market.for the market.

Also bought and sold resources that Also bought and sold resources that needed to be manufactured into goods. needed to be manufactured into goods.

CiompiCiompi

In Florence, a revolt was lead by In Florence, a revolt was lead by The The ciompi – ciompi – laborers in thelaborers in thetextile industry. textile industry. The Black Death lead to many deathsThe Black Death lead to many deathsand the economy was weakened =and the economy was weakened =a lot of unemployment.a lot of unemployment. The The ciompiciompi wanted to form a guild. wanted to form a guild. The government, run by wealthy The government, run by wealthy merchants, and larger guilds said no. merchants, and larger guilds said no. The The ciompi ciompi called for an uprising called for an uprising of the lower classes. They briefly took of the lower classes. They briefly took over the government of Florence,over the government of Florence,but they were defeated.but they were defeated.

Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money

Bankers brought wealth to city-states.Bankers brought wealth to city-states. Wealth was created by:Wealth was created by:

Usury – charging interest when loaning Usury – charging interest when loaning money to someone.money to someone.

Spread of Italian values and ideas:Spread of Italian values and ideas: Italian bankers and merchants traveled around Italian bankers and merchants traveled around

Europe on businessEurope on business Wealthy Europeans, artists and scholars visited Wealthy Europeans, artists and scholars visited

Italy and were impressed with beautiful cities Italy and were impressed with beautiful cities and sophistication. and sophistication.

Church OfChurch OfSanta Maria Novella in Santa Maria Novella in

FlorenceFlorence

FlorenceFlorence

VeniceVenice

VeniceVenice

Pronounced Venezia in ItalianPronounced Venezia in Italian Was founded in the 5th Was founded in the 5th

Century CE.Century CE. Venice is built on 117 small Venice is built on 117 small

islands and has some 150 islands and has some 150 canals and exactly 409 canals and exactly 409 bridges. bridges.

It is considered one of the It is considered one of the most beautiful cites in the most beautiful cites in the world. world.

During the Byzantine Empire, During the Byzantine Empire, Venice was a main center of Venice was a main center of trade for goods from Asia and trade for goods from Asia and the Islamic world.the Islamic world.

The city is sinking. Most The city is sinking. Most homes must now start on the homes must now start on the second floor since the first second floor since the first floors are flooded.floors are flooded.

Instead of driving to work/ Instead of driving to work/ school… you get in your boat!!school… you get in your boat!!

GenoaGenoa

Rural France during the Middle Rural France during the Middle AgesAges

Italy Italy