1. The Italian City States
How did increased trade lead to the emergence of powerful city-states in Italy?

2. City-States Because of trade cities began to grow.
Paris, Florence, Venice and Genoa were the largest cities in Europe.
Larger urban populations led to an increased demand for food & a new wealthy merchant class grew.
Industries also grew like textile and furniture.
People moved from rural areas to work in these industries.
City -States were formed and became very powerful because of the increase industry, trade and banking.

4. Competition for trade
Genoa and Venice competed for control of the sea routes in the Mediterranean.
Venice had a strong trading network because of its dealing with the East
Genoa controlled a share of trade in eastern Mediterranean and in the western part (Spanish ports)
City-states wanted to expand hinterland territory = warfare.

5. The 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 being
powered by rowers. What might be the advantage of this strategy?

6. Commerce in the City States
Merchants made money by purchasing goods in one place and then selling them for a higher price in another place.
Bought spices and luxury fabrics ready for the market.
Also bought and sold resources that needed to be manufactured into goods.

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

8. Money, Money, Money Bankers brought wealth to city-states.
Wealth was created by:
Usury – charging interest when loaning money to someone.
Spread of Italian values and ideas:
Italian bankers and merchants traveled around Europe on business
Wealthy Europeans, artists and scholars visited Italy and were impressed with beautiful cities and sophistication.

10. Church Of Santa Maria Novella in Florence

11. Florence

12. Venice

13. Venice Pronounced Venezia in Italian
Was founded in the 5th Century CE.
Venice is built on 117 small islands and has some 150 canals and exactly 409 bridges.
It is considered one of the most beautiful cites in the world.
During the Byzantine Empire, Venice was a main center of trade for goods from Asia and the Islamic world.
The city is sinking. Most homes must now start on the second floor since the first floors are flooded.
Instead of driving to work/ school… you get in your boat!!

14. Genoa

15. Rural France during the Middle Ages

16. Italy