The Decline of the Italian City-States 1494-1527 Mr. Meester AP European History Pages 331-338

Italy Prior to 1494 The Italian city-states were autonomous units. This made them a tempting target for foreign invaders The Treaty of Lodi in 1454 allied Naples, Milan, and Florence Often opposed by Venice & the Papal States When needed all 5 united

Unity Ends 1490 Ludovico il Moro of Milan ends the Treaty of Lodi Hostilities with Naples begins Florence sides with Naples Moro seeks an alliance with France BIG MISTAKE!!!

France Attacks 1495 Charles VIII marches his army through Italy The conquest threatened other European powers

Spain to the Rescue Ferdinand of Aragorn feared French expansion into Italy Formed the League of Venice to oppose the French

The Borgia Family Rodrigo Borgia would head one of the most powerful families in Italy He became Pope Alexander VI (the most corrupt Pope in history)

Louis & Alexander Alexander VI wanted control of Romagna in Northern Italy Annulled new French King Louis XII’s marriage 1500 Disbanded the League of Venice & allied the Papal States to France Divides Italy between himself, France and Spain

Pope Julius II Became Pope in 1503 Suppressed the Borgia family Formed an alliance with Spain, Venice, Swiss and the Holy Roman Empire

Niccolo Machiavelli He was a member of the Florentine elite. A Humanist, he idolized Ancient Rome Wanted a reunited Italy Liked Republican ideals but also believed the ends justify the means

Rise of the “New” National Monarchies After 1450 Monarchies in Northern Europe began to emerge Feudalism was in decline as the power of towns and kings rose Kings began to control taxation and warfare states became “national” Bureaucracies were created in the service of the king

France Begins with Charles VII at the end of the 100 Years’ War. Tools given by his father allow Louis XI to turn France into a great power Was able to get rid of Dukes of Burgundy Unity would be relatively short lived Louis XI

Spain The kingdoms of Aragon and Castile had been poorly ruled They were unified through the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon & Isabella of Castile Spain had been one of the few places in Europe where 3 religions peacefully tolerated Ferdinand and Isabella began the Inquisition Spain became a power during their rule both politically and economically

England The Hundred Years’ War led to a civil war known as the War of the Roses This led to the emergence of the Tudor dynasty Henry VII used the courts and English to strengthen the monarchy

Holy Roman Empire Compared to the other monarchies was extremely fragmented The Emperor was the leader by law but not in reality The Reichstag, a Supreme Court of Justice, and the Council of Regency were created during the 15th century