1. AP EURO Unit #1 – Renaissance and Reformation Lesson #1b – Wealth and power in Renaissance Italy

2. Communes and Republics
City-states became “Communes” (sworn associations led by merchant guilds)
WHO IS IN CHARGE IN A COMMUNE?
Challenged by Popolo (commoners)
HOW COULD THE RABBLE EFFECTIVELY CHALLENGE MECHANT GUILD LEADERSHIP?
could be violent (if taxed too much or disenfranchised too much)
WHAT WOULD THE MERCHANT GUILD LEADERSHIP NEED TO CONTROL THE POPOLO?
Would lead to a need for Machiavellianism
WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

3. Communes and Republics
Usually, republics were outwitted by a single clever one man (Signori), or Oligarchies
Some became to powerful the took over government and formed elected bodies – above the “elite”
Signori lived like kings – developed beautiful Courts
WHY WOULD THEY FEEL A NEED TO HAVE FANCY OSTENTACIOUSNESS SURROUND THEM?
A show of power – palaces and elaborate ceremony
Would look for ways to display power and wealth and culture
WHAT WILL THIS LEAD TO?

4. City States and Balance of Power
The “big five”
Milan –Sforza (Signori)
Florence –Medici (banking) Family
Papal States
Naples
Venice – huge trade empire
Big ones controlled smaller ones
Balance of Power – worked until the Italian Wars of
PEACE OF LODI (1454)
Milan, Naples and Florence

5. Shattering of Lodi Italian independence would come to an end
Sforza family of Milan wanted to diminish the financial (and military) power of Venice
Invited Charles VIII of France to Invade and beat on Venice (never intended for them to stay!)
Invasion: 1494 (25,000 man army)
French army plundered most of Italy… unopposed
Venice formed LEAGUE OF VENICE (1494)
Venice, Milan (ha!!), Spain and HRE
Later included Papal States and Florence
United, they cut off Charles and pushed him out of Italy
Problem:
this became all about Spain vs. France