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