1. Renaissance Politics Renaissance Politics City-States ruled by wealthy oligarchies Only small percentage of citizens had right to vote Venice, Siena and Florence among the most stable republics

2. Milan became a hereditary despotism first ruled by the Visconti family and later the Sforza Condottieri played key role in political and military affairs Venice and Florence often combined to contain the power of Milan

3. economic decline of the city-states in the fifteenth century Constantinople captured by Turks in 1453 trade of Genoa impacted

4. Faced with threats from the French and Turks city-states signed Peace of Lodi in 1454 By end of century, however, France and Holy Roman Empire were able to exploit growing divisions among city-states Medici driven from Florence in 1494

5. Savonarola replaced Medici his criticism of church and papacy led to his downfall and execution in 1498 with approval of Pope Alexander VI (Borgia) the French once again invaded Julius II ( warrior pope) drove the Borgia family out of Rome

6. Alexander VI children included Cesare Borgia and Lucretia Borgia period of great decadence in leadership of church

7. Against a background of conflict between city-states and foreign invasions Niccolo Machiavelli encouraged the adoption of strong government the state must impose order by military force the end justifies the means?

8. first half of sixteenth century a period of power struggle between France and Holy Roman Empire in 1527 HRE Charles V mercenaries sacked Rome

9. the Sack of Rome marked the closing years of the Italian Renaissance a more sober, pessimistic tone reflected in artistic works

10. Royal authority asserted in Spain, England and France Taxes, administration, justice, military - areas where monarchs increased their power New Monarchies New Monarchies

11. Henry VII - First Tudor monarch Ferdinand and Isabella Francis - Valois

12. Germany remained divided into many large and small states HRE elected by Seven Electors - Hapsburg family dominated politics in German states Hapsburg lands came to encompass Spain, Austria, Low Countries and New World territories