Venice Revised

7/31/2019 Venice Revised

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In this chapter you will learn about

Venice: An Introduction to the City-State

The reasons for Venices rise to greatness

The reasons for Venices eventual fallLessons that Singapore can learn from the history of Venice


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BACKGROUNDEUROPE andVENICE:

- Before 5th century AD: Political

Instability in Europe- 5th to 9th centuries AD: Establishment

of Venice as a city state

- 9th and 15th centuriesRise of Venice- 15th and 18th centuries - Fall of Venice


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Political Setting in Europe [Before 5th Century AD] : Decline of

the Roman Empire and Emergence of Venice

-1st Century AD, Roman Empire, the only major empire in Europe declined due

to:

external threats, internal threats and poor economic growth.

- Roman Empire divided into Western and Eastern Roman Empires to manage

the problems.Western Roman Empire:

- Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD due to:

constant conflicts with Germanic tribes from Central and Eastern Europe

-Spilt into many kingdoms that frequently fought with one another

Eastern Roman Empire [Byzantine Empire]

-Survived due to good geographical positioncould control trade in the Adriatic

Sea and the Middle East

- Faced constant attacks from Germanic tribes from its west and from the

Muslim kingdoms in the east


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-Refugees from the Roman Empires fled and settled in marshy

swamps located in Northern Italy at the tip of the Adriatic Sea

Geography of Venice:

-Located in Northern Italy. Consisted of clusters of small islands

[about 120] about 3 km from the mainland.

-These islands are in a lagoon and protected from the strongcurrents of the Adriatic Sea by larger islands in the south

- Many salt marshes in the lagoonsalt became a profitable

resource for Venice

-Strategically located at the tip of the Adriatic Sea and thereforeable to control trade in the Adriatic and Black Seas and the Middle

East

-Protection from strong currents and availability of salt led to the

early rise of Venice

Venices Beginning


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Life of Early Settlers:

-Became seafarers because of the make up of Venicemade up of small islets with

little land for agriculture.-Established fishing villages and main occupation were fishing, salt production and

making crafts especially shipbuilding.

-Dependent on the mainland for food and raw materials

Economic Activities:

-Monopolised the salt trade in the region because of their knowledge of salt

production

-Exchanged salt and fish for food with people in the mainland especially those living by

the Po River

-Established trade agreements with these communities and dominated region around

the river mouth and its surrounding mainland

- These agreements allowed Venetians access to the forested areas in the mainland

where they got wood for trading and shipbuilding

-Being skilled shipbuilders helped Venice expand its trade to the Middle East to obtain

valuable goods like spices, gold and incense in exchange for wood.

-Venice became a strong trade power by the 7th century in the Adriatic Sea region andoffered rotection to B zantine Em ires territories alon the Italian shores.

Venices Beginning


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Venetian Society:

-Over time, a few families became very wealthy and politically

influential due to trade.-The rest of the population consisted of merchants, fishermen, craftsmen,

salt harvesters and artisans (a skilled manual worker who makes items

that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture,

clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools)

-But there was social stability because:

i] efforts were made to ensure that the rich do not show off their wealth

they could only decorate the interior of their houses not the exterior

ii] each islet had its own town centre where the market and church were

located. This was the place both the rich and poor gathered for

celebrations and provided opportunities for them to interact and build

neighbourliness [Common Space?]iii] the Venetians had a stron sense of belon in due to their histor .

Venices Beginning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_labourhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/functionalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decorativehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decorativehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/functionalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_labour


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Venetian System of Government:

-Vassal state of the Byzantine Empire but had freedom to

choose their own leaders

-It was an Aristocratic RepublicRich members of

society were elected its rulers

-Early Venetian government was a three-tiered structurefrom 8th10th centuryWill change after this to meet the

needs of a growing city-state

Venices Beginning


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Venice System of Government: Three - Tiered

Government Struture

DogeLeader appointed for life Ducal CouncilTwo advisors who assisted the

Doge. Selected men suitable to be the Doge

General Assemblyelected the Doge and

passed laws on issues like trade and housing

Leader

Assists Doge and selects suitable

men to be Doge

Elected the Doge and passed laws

Doge

General Assembly

Ducal

Council


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Challenges Faced by Early Venetians:

1] Piracy

- Increased piracy in the Adriatic Sea when the Byzantine Empire

declined in the 10th

century and could not offer protection to Venice.- Piracy threatened Venices trade

- Venice did not have a strong navy thenpaid yearly tributes to piratesnot to attack Venetian ships along the Adriatic Sea and also arrangedfor Venetian ships to travel in convoys for safety.

2] Maintaining Good Diplomatic Relations with countries inrivalry

- It was a vassal state of the Byzantine Empire but established goodrelations with their rivals, the Germanic tribes in order to continue in itsrole as middleman in the trade between the East and the West

- Kept friendly relations with rival mainland states to get favourable tradeconditions and to expand its trade.


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Significance of Winged Lion

Why a lion when Venice is a maritime city?

The winged lion was at first St. Marks symbol but was laterused as a way of showing the power of Venice. Legendmentions that in the Ninth Century some Venetian thieves stole

the remains of St. Mark the Apostle from Egypt. Theysmuggled the body onto the ship by stuffing flowers and meataround the body to keep onlookers away. A storm struck at sea.It was then that St. Mark appeared to the captain and warnedhim to strike the sails lest the ship crash on the rocks. Theysurvived the storm and reached their destination. Local Venicereligious authorities elected St. Mark as the patron saint ofVenice and the winged lion (St. Marks traditional symbol) asthe logo of the Venetian Republic.

The winged lion is a symbol of peace, power and prestige


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View Of Venice


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Aerial View of Venice Today with a

bridge linking it to the mainland

Bridge


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2] Reforms in

the

Government

1] Leadership:

Enterprising, forward

looking, practical and

diplomatic Leadership

2b] To ensure

effective checks on

Power

Political Reasons

For Rise of Venice

2a] To meet the

needs of a growing

city state


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1] diplomatic and practical

Eg. Doge Pietro II Orseolo

- maintained friendships with leaders in Europe like the Byzantine and Germanicrulers as well as the Muslim states in North Africa although there was enmity

between the Christians and Muslims.

- Put down the pirates in Dalmatia by cutting off salt supplies to cities controlledby the pirates.

Impact:As a result of the practical diplomatic relations, helped Venice remain peaceful

and stable in its early years of development.

-protected Venice independence and trade interests and helped Venice gain

favourable trade deals which boosted Venices wealth making Venice powerful

- Getting rid of piracy ensured safe trade passage for Venetian

traders and increased its wealth.

- Venice established its control over the important

routesin the Adriatic Sea


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2] forward-lookinganticipated changes in power developments in Europeand seized the opportunities to build up the Venetian Empire

Eg. Doge Enrico Dandolo decided to capture Constantinople, the capital of

the Byzantine Empire when it was weakening in the 12th century although at

one point of time they had friendly relations

Impact:-With this conquest and capture, Venice controlled some of the

important territories controlled by the Byzantine Empire which

were important for trade enabling Venice to rise.-Venice gained recognition from other states for its conquest of

the once powerful Byzantine Empire. This helped Venice obtain

favourable trading terms

- Venice became the most powerful country in the region


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3] very enterprisingtook steps to expand Venice as a major

maritime empire through conquests and control of importantroutes in the Mediterranean Sea

Eg. Doge Pietro Ziani led many missions to conquer and control

important territories along the Mediterranean Sea to strengthen

Venices maritime trade in the face of increasing trade competition

Impact:-As a result, this helped strengthen Venices maritime trade in

the face of increasing trade competition-Venice trade expanded and it obtained more wealth that

contributed to its rise as a maritime empire.


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Doges Palace


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Reforms in the Government

- Reforms were introduced to the structure of the government

from the 12th century to:

A] Meet the needs of a growing city-state.Eg. In addition to the Doge, Ducal Council and General Assembly,

the i] Great Council was created to:

- Elect capable members to all councils in the government

-Pass laws and settle disputes between different councils- provide more opportunities for members from influential

families to participate in deciding Venices future so as to reduce

rivalry among the nobles that would destabilize the government

ii] The Council of Forty was created in the 13th Century to handle

law and finances as Venice grew

iii] 60 member Senate was added to handle foreign affairs and

trade matters because of expansion of trade and increased


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Reforms were also made in the government to:

B] Ensure effective checks on power and to prevent concentration of

power

Eg I] Council of Ten was formed in the 14th Century to:

a] prevent corruption and abuse of power - any official, including the Doge,

found guilty would be arrested and plots to threaten the government would be

crushed.

II] The Nominating Committee was added to the election process to:

-identify suitable male candidates for elected posts through balloting not

favouritism to ensure fairness and to prevent any one individual or family from

gaining too much influence in the government.

-ensure no nominee could campaign for support to prevent rivalry among thecandidates and to ensure that the candidates were elected based on their ability

and not personal favour.

- ensure that elected candidates did not reject their appointments so that all

positions of responsibility in the government were filled up by the best

candidates.


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Impact:- Fairness in selection and greater opportunities to

participate in governing Venice, prevented rivalry amongthe nobles to serve in the government which could

destabilize the government

- checks on power avoided dominance by anyone person

- corrupt practices were checked and uprisings crushed

leading to greater confidence in the government and

support from locals and foreigners leading to peace and

stability

-Venice is stable and organised and this would lead to

increase in trade and wealth


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Trade

Developments andExpansion

Innovative

and

Enterprising

Trade

Practices

Industrial

Development

Economic Reasonsfor Rise of Venice

1] Venetians attitude towards

Trade

2] Innovations in Maritime

Technology

3] Efficiency in managing

trade voyages4] Overcoming trade

competition

5] Trade Monopoly

1] Giro Banking

2] Double-Entry

Bookkeeping

1] Shipbuilding

Industry

2] Manufacturing

industries


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a] Venetians were skilled diplomats and enterprising

-They were motivated by profits and they used their

diplomatic skills to obtain many favourable trading terms

from the countries they traded with like lower tax rates-They were also enterprising and brought new products

from the East eg. spices from that were in demand in

Europe

Impact:- Able to maintain a competitive edge over their

trade competitors like Genoa and bring wealth to

Venice

?

1] Attitude towards trade


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b] The Venetians were adventurous and courageous:

- ventured to distant lands to seek new markets

and supplies

eg. Marco Polo and family

- traveled north to Greenland, east to Indian Ocean and

south to Africa- also went to Arab states and Far East to trade

Impact:

-able to find new opportunities and obtain profitable and exotictrade items

- stayed ahead in the trade competition and Venice became one of

the greatest cities in Europe

- its connections brought traders from various countries to Venice

to trade boosting Venices wealth.

1] Attitude towards trade


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Travels of Marco Polo


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2] Innovations in Maritime Technology

a] Venetians were adaptable-Made use of advances in maritime technology to improve

navigation and defence in the seas

eg. made use of inventions of the compass and nautical

charts to conduct voyages in winter.

Impact:-Able to dominate trade in the Mediterranean Sea throughout

the year giving it an advantage over its competitors-Increased frequency of trade meant it could earn more

profits and become wealthy and thus powerful.

Innovations in Maritime Technology


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Innovations in Maritime Technology

b] They were creative

-Designed and built the kind of ships they needed to conduct voyages over

long distances in harsh weather conditions.

Eg. they built ships that used both oarsmen and sails. Ships were thus not

dependent on wind alone to sail

-Built galleys in the 13th century which were both merchant and war ships.

The galleys were used for defence purposes when needed and could be usedto transport more goods for trade.

Impact:-Merchant and battle fleets were able to travel further as the ships were not

dependent on wind to sail.- Venetians were able to expand their trade and territorial control.

- Galleys in the ships discouraged pirates from launching attacks on Venetian

trading ships making the passage of Venetian traders safer


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3] Efficiency in managing voyages

a] Venetians were efficient.

-The Senate set up an effective management system

-Monitored and organised the schedule of trade voyages

- Grouped and ordered traders to travel in convoys to trade in

larger quantities for greater profits.

Impact:

- The efficiency of the system meant that Venice was able toexpand its trade into many regions and increase its profits


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4] Overcoming Trade Competition

a] Venetians were tenacious [Steadfast]- Willing to fight many wars with their main trade rival Genoa to

defend its trade.

- Venice and Genoa often fought in the open seas and rivalry

between them led to many wars.

- Venice managed to defeat Genoa in the late 14th century

Impact:

-With Genoas defeat, Venice got rid of its main trade rival.

- This allowed it to have complete control of trade in

the Mediterranean Sea bringing them more international trade.

- With more wealth, Venice power grew.


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5] Trade Monopoly

- Venice was well located at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea

- Central and Southern Europe depended on it for goods from theEast like spices, sugar and diamonds

- Venetian traders went to Arabian ports like Alexandria andHormuz using overland and sea routes to sell these goods to

other European states at a high price.- The other European states had no choice but to buy from Venice

because its navy dominated the region

Impact:

- Trade monopoly helped Venetian traders earn huge profits

and allowed Venice to dominate trade in the area over its rivals


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Central and Southern Europe


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I i d E i i T d P i


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Innovative and Enterprising Trade Practices

- The Venetians had innovative trade practices that were

responsive to the needs of traders.

- There were large numbers of foreign tradersVenice focused

on trade services e.g. banking, insurance, money-exchange,

credit banking with giro-banking, state bank to avoid banking

from collapsing

Impact:- efficient and convenient financial and insurance services

as well as governments involvement attracted more

traders to Venice increasing Venices trade and wealth.

- Venice was able to keep up with the times due to

willingness to adapt to changes allowing it to remain

wealthy and powerful.?


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Industrial Development


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a] Manufacturing Industries

- Venetians were enterprising

- Diversified into manufacturing industries such as

glassmaking, candles and scented soap to meet the demand for

consumer goods as Venice prospered.

- Venice also diversified into the printing industry to serve the

large reading publicImpact:

-More jobs were created for the people and Venice continued to prosper.

-Skilled craftsmen from other parts of Europe came and settled in Venice

resulting in the growth of a variety of high quality manufactured goods

that Venice could sell.

- Venice continued to become powerful as its wealth increased through

diversification into manufacturing.


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Venetian Glassware and Printing

Industry



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b] Shipbuilding Industry

- Venetians were adaptable and responsive to circumstancesof the times

Eg. Built the Arsenal so that shipbuilding industries like ship

design, outfitting, maintenance and production of galleys

could be centralised at one location.

Impact:

-The Arsenal became the backbone

of Venetian maritime empire

and power as it supported Venetian

voyages

A view of an entrance of the Arsenal


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Venice At the Height Of Its Power [15th century] A


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Venice At the Height Of Its Power [15th century]A

Maritime Empire with:

1] Territorial Possessions

-Had many territories along the trade routes

- Territories were obtained from its defeat of the Byzantine Empire

and its defeat of pirates in the region

Impact:

- Territorial possessions allowed Venetian ships to stop over to

replenish supplies and acted as rest stations for crew

- Territories obtained from the Byzantine Empire helped Venice

strengthen its maritime authority in the Mediterranean Sea

- Defeat of the pirates gave Venice full control of the Adriatic Sea

- Venice therefore established itsdominant commercial power and

earned the title, Queen of the Adriatic Sea.



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2] Social Transformation

-Wealthiest state in Europe

- Venetian society became more diverse and cosmopolitan as a result

of the mass arrival of foreigners.

- Foreign traders and merchants were attracted to come and stay inVenice as a result of the efficiency of trade

- Venice also provided incentives like housing and citizenship to

attract foreign talent to work and live in the country to sustain its

commercial activities in the face of labour shortage.

Impact:

- Venice became cosmopolitan and were able to attract highly skilled

craftsmen to sustain its development.



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3] Artistic Achievements

- The skilled craftsmen and artists that came to work and live inVenice helped transform it into a centre of the arts in Europe.

-Venice became famous for its mosaic art

Impact:

-Attracted rich nobles from other European countries to Venice to

admire the great works of art in the country

- This increased its reputation and wealth making it powerful.



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4] Scientific and Literary Developments:

-Trade exposed Venetians to knowledge in other parts of the world and increasedinterest in the sciences

- Nobles from other parts of Europe attended universities in Venice to learn more

about the sciences

- From the 14th

century, the government provided funds to attract distinguishedprofessors.

- Academics from Venice were also sent to other countries to gain knowledge and

then share their knowledge

Impact:

-Venice developed into a centre of learning in Europe

- Attracted academic talent to Venice and increased Venice reputation as a centre

of learning.



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5] Economic Prosperity:

-Skilled craftsmen were well paid in Venice.

- Guilds were created to ensure job security and high standards and

quality of the goods produced.

Impact:

-Venetian goods were of high quality and were in great demand

- The high demand led to increased trade and the Venetians getting

higher incomes and better standards of living.

Venice At the Height Of Its Power Artistic Achievements


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Venice At the Height Of Its PowerArtistic Achievements


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Venetian Ceiling Details


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V i C t f th A t


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Venice as a Centre of the Arts

- more time and money to spend on leisure

- famous for architecture, paintings and mosaic- Giovanni Bellini: among earliest artists to use

oil painting in artwork


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Good Leadership Reforms in the

Government:

to adapt to

changes

Maintain checks

and balances

TradeDevelopments

Innovative and

Enterprising Trade

practices

Industrial

Development

Europe between 15th 18th C


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Europe between 15 18 CPolitical Instability in Europe

- Conflicts among the states in Europe for greater

resources and territories as trade competitionincreased.

The Black Death

- plague in Europe that killed many people and reducedthe population in Europe significantly

- Food production was also affected

Impact:

- Venice was faced with these new challenges in the 15thcentury

- They did not respond well to the changingcircumstances and that led to their decline.


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External Factors

Internal Factors


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1] The

Ottoman

Empire

2] MaritimeCompetition

Discovery of

New SeaRoutes

ExternalFactors for Decline

of Venice

1]Foreign

Threats

2]

Involvement

in the

mainland

3] The League Of

Cambrai

New Trade Rivals

Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

- The Ottoman Empire originated from Turkey

-Powerful in Middle East and North Africa and replaced Genoa as Venices

greatest trade rival by the 15th century.

- Expanded rapidly from the Middle East into Europe both by land and sea.

-Captured many of Venices coastal territories in the Mediterranean and

Adriatic Seas and launched attacks against Venetian ships and territories

from there.

- Venetians were forced to use their merchant fleet as naval ships to fight theOttomans

- Venetians fought many wars with the Ottomans to maintain their control

of the Adriatic Sea eg. Ottomans fought a 7 year war with the Venetians in

the 15th

century for control of the Aegean and Adriatic seas

1] The Ottoman Empire

Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

- In the 15th century, the Venetians tried to strike a balance ofpower with the Ottomans and their European neighbours at

the same time.

Eg. To protect its commercial interests, Venice would

give concessions to the Ottomans when necessary. Later, theywould get military aid from the European powers to fight the

Ottomans to defend their territories

- This insensitive action made the European countries resent

Venice and in 1463, they left Venice to fight on their own

against the Ottomans.

- Venice lost a very important Eastern trade outposts in the

Mediterranean to the Ottomans.


Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

Impact-The use of the merchant ships as naval ships led to disruption of tradeleading to loss of profits for Venice.

- The long wars with the Ottoman Empire for control of the Adriatic andAegean Seas in the 15thcentury drained Venices resources and manpower

and disrupted trade leading to loss of wealth.

-Loss of coastal territories and the loss of the important Eastern trade

outposts in the Mediterranean to the Ottomans affected Venetian traders asOttomans imposed high tariffs on Venetian traders in the ports they

controlled. Venices trade profits and wealth were greatly reduced.

- Venice was greatly weakened.



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Ottoman Empire


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Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

2] Involvement in the mainland

-Venice depended on the mainland territories for essential resources like

food and water.

- Venice needed to maintain these supplies for its growing population and

expanding industries.

- To protect its trade interests, Venice got involved in the political rivalry in

the mainland.- It took advantage of the rivalries among the European countries in the

mainland by offering to help fight one against the other to protect its own

interests.

Eg. Venice switched alliances between large rival states like France

and Spain when the occasion suited its interests.

-Venice act of switching alliances with different rival groups in the

mainland caused these mainland countries not to trust Venice

- Venice therefore faced threats of being attacked by any of them.

Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

Impact-Venices involvement in the mainland drained Venices financial and

manpower resources as it had to employ a mercenary army to fight its

battles due to is small population.

- It was constantly at risk of being attacked by larger states because they

distrusted Venice as it constantly switched alliances to suit their interests.

-Constant wars in the mainland also affected Venices overland commercial

routes as it made the overland trade route unsafe.

- Venice depended on these commercial crossroads for trade and wealth.

Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

3] The League of Cambrai

-Other states in the mainland grew jealous of Venices prosperity andgrowing power and influence over Northern Itlay.

- They were also unhappy with Venice insensitive diplomatic relations in the

mainland.

- Decided to form an alliance in 1508 to destroy Venice and take over itsterritories. This alliance was known as the League of Cambrai.

- It consisted mainly of major powers in Europe like Spain, Hungary and

France

- It defeated Venice at the Battle of Agnadello and captured many of its

territories

Foreign Threats


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Foreign Threats

3] The League of Cambrai

Impact

- With large states like France and Spain forming an alliance, Venice was

faced with a massive threat

-The cost of the wars with the League drained and weakened Venice resources

as it had to raise taxes to finance the employment of its mercenary armies aswell as to replenish its supply of weapons

-The defeat of Venice at Agnadello cost it to lose many territories and greatly

weakened its military strength.

- Although Venice managed to recapture some of its territories through new

alliances with some states, the cost of wars led a blow to its prosperity.


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League of Cambrai

Maritime Competition


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Maritime Competition

1] Discovery of New Sea Routes

- Many European states were exploring new sea routes for trade purposes.The Portuguese Vasco Da Gama travelled round the Cape of Good Hope in

Africa to reach Callicut in India, a thriving spice centrefound new sea

route to India and the East.

-could bypass Venice-controlled territories to buy their spices directly from

India- Portuguese captured key areas the East in Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean

Impact- Venice monopoly of the profitable spice trade destroyed

- Portuguese provided competition for Venice and reduced its

profits which the Venetian traders had earned for centuries.

- Lost its important position as middlemen between the East

and the West

- no more the main sea power in Europe

Discovery of New Sea Routes


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y f


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However, Venice was still able to survive economically

as:

- The Venetians were diversifying into manufacturing such asglassware which were highly profitable and were in high

demand from both the East and West.

- Venetians were also creative and innovative in creating and

developing trade-related services such as banking and financialservices.

- Venice continued to function as a trade centre in the western

Mediterranean Sea and continued to be the main supplier of

Mediterranean goods such as wine, raisins and Persian silk to

cities like Lisbon in Portugal.


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2] Competition from New Trade Rivals

-Venices trade rivals during the end of the 16th century were

the English and the Dutch- The British set up the English East India Company (EIC) in

1600. The Dutch set up the Dutch East India Company (VOC)

In 1602:

- The British and the Dutch successfully negotiated for trading

rights in new ports.

- They took the role of bringing goods from the East and

Middle East to Europe bypassing the Venetian traders

- The Dutch and the British had better-designed ships.

- Venice impose a protectionist policy by placing higher taxes

on foreign traders.


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Impact-Venice position as an entrepot port was badly affected by

these new competitors

- Venice was able to imitate the design of the ships used by the

British and the Dutch but their sailors did not have the skills

to operate them.

-Venice protectionist policy in its ports did not attract traders

as it proved to be too costly to trade with the Venetians.

-Venice became less popular as a port of call and it began to

lose some of its trading partners resulting in economic losses.


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Corruption in

the

Government

Over-dependence on

Mercenaries

IncompetentMilitary Leaders

Complacency of

Venetian Society

InternalFactors for Decline

of Venice

Political

Challenges Social Challenges

Political Challenges


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g

- to finance wars with the Ottomans and the neighbouringstates, the Venetian government suspended the salaries of the

civil servants and placed higher taxes on trade.

- led to unhappiness among the nobles who formed the civil

service as they became poorer with the salary suspension as wellas disruption to trade during the wars.

- candidates to high positions in the government bribed poor

nobles to vote for them. Corruption became the norm inelections

- Positions were also being sold to raise funds for the

government to fight wars.

1] Corruption in the Government


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Impact- The suspension of salaries caused resentment among the

nobility and led to division within the nobility classes.

- Bribery led to inefficient and incompetent leaders being

Elected to the government

-Incompetent leaders were more concerned with their own

interests than with the development of the city-state

Political Challenges


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2] Incompetent Leaders

- Venice faced the challenge of a shrinking pool of nobility as olderfamilies died.

- There were fewer people to choose from to fill the highest offices.

-Noble families arranged marriages among themselves to retain

their wealth and property-The rotation of duties to ensure no family or individual could

dominate the government also meant competent officers would

have to leave office after one term. Incompetent leaders may be

chosen.

-For Example:The appointment of two capable men in the civil affairs as

Captain Generals in the Navy. They lacked military knowledge or

experience and Venice suffered great naval defeats under their

command. They were Nicolo da Canal and Antonio Grimani.

g

Impact


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Impact- With fewer people to take up positions, the quality of

leadership weakened

- As more power and wealth were in the hands of a fewfamilies, they used the government as a tool to further their

interests at the expense of the interest of the city-state.

- A small group of rich nobles dominated the government from

the 16th

century making renewal of leadership a challenge.- Corruption was common in higher offices as power lay in the

hands of a few.

- Incompetent leaders or officers would not be able to plan and

implement policies to ensure Venices sustainable growth and

may even lead Venice to suffer heavy losses in battles.

-other states did not see Venice as a strong power anymore

3] O D d M i


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3] Over-Dependence on Mercenaries

-It was a common practice for Venice to hire mercenaries

mercenaries to fight their wars eg. with the Ottomans andGenoa as it was a small country with many territories and a

small population.

- The Black Death had also taken many Venetian lives and sothere was a need to get mercenaries to fill the ranks of the army.

- Venice became over-reliant on these mercenaries to defend

their interests

?

3] O D d M i


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3] Over-Dependence on Mercenaries

Impact- Led to increased expenditure as they have to pay high salaries

to the mercenaries to fight.

- The mercenaries lacked a sense of loyalty as they fought for

whoever paid them better.

- Some of these soldiers did not remain loyal to Venice and evenplotted against Venice.

Eg. In 1619, French mercenaries plotted to take the Ducal

Palace and kill the Senate members. Although the plot was

discovered, it showed that the mercenaries could not be trustedto fully protect Venice.

- When Venice could not pay these mercenaries well when their

prosperity declined, the mercenaries offered their services to

other countries against Venice

?

Social Challenges


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g

- rich nobles indulged in fine living and became less involvedin administration and development of the city state.

- Gap between the rich and the poor widened.

- they lavished in countless parades and celebrations

- year-end party lasted for weeks

- poor and rich were involved in gambling lost their fortunes

- they were not willing to volunteer to serve state

e.g. in 16th century, government could not find volunteers to

serve in navy

Impact- became easily distracted from daily duties and productive work

- committment level of people reduced drastically

1] Complacency of Venetian Society

Eventual Decline of Venice


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- 18th century: French leader, Napoleon wanted to

bring whole of Europe under his control

- Venice refused to join alliance with the Italian states

against Napoleon because it feared provoking the French

- when attacked by Napoleon, Venetian leaders did not resistfor fear of losing possessions

- 12 May 1797: 4,000 French entered Venice without

a gunshot being fired


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External Reasons Internal Reasons

1 Wars with OttomanEmpire

2 Involvement in themainland

3 League of Cambrai

4 Discovery of a NewSea Route

5 Competition fromNew Trade Rivals

1 Corruption in the

Government

2 Complacency of

Venetian Society

3 Incompetent /

Incapable Leaders

4 Over-dependence on

Mercenaries


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Lesson 1: Capable and Committed LeadershipVenice at its peak:

-leaders placed interestabove self

- capable and forward-

looking- Responsive to threats and

challenges, adaptable to challenges

Venice in decline:-leaders neglected responsibilities- more concerned for self than state

- Corrupted and Inefficeint

What we can learn about leadership and

Governance here?-good leadership today is not guarantee for the future- we have to choose our leaders wisely

- we have to make sure we have the right leader for the

right job

- It is important to uphold incorruptability for leaders


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Lesson 2: Adaptability

Venice at its peak:

- Venetians were well

informed and had innovative

practices eg GIRO banking

- Diversified into manufacturing

- Used technology to stay ahead

of competitors and diversified

economy to stay competitive

Venice in decline:

- did nothing to keep up with the

times. eg followed own style of

shipping despite rise of VOC and EIC

- Could not come up with solutions to

the new sea routes discovered by their

competitors and came up with

unrealistic new laws that contributed

to their decline

What we can learn about Sustaining Economic Devt?- important to adapt to changes taking place to stay relevant

- eg globalisation and Information Technology

- the quicker one adapts, the better the chance of survival

-Seize opportunities to keep up with changes


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Lesson 3: Good International Relations

Venice at its peak:

- Combined diplomacy and

deterrence effectively to get good

trading terms with other countries

while deterrence helped to end the

threat of piracy and subdue its

competitors to keep Venice safe

and secure

Venice in decline:

- involved themselves in the political

struggles in mainland Europe and made

many enemies

-Insensitive to their neighbouring

countries and played one power against

another

-Refused to work with other rising

countries like Portugal when they

discovered a new sea route

What we can learn about relations with other states?- important to have friendly relations with other states

- competition would be there but a state should not

attempt to rise to power at the expense of another


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Lesson 4: Strong Defence Force

Venice at its peak:- mercenaries served

Venice because they

were well paid- Venetians fought for

the city-state

Venice in decline:

- mercenaries preferred

to serve other states

which paid them better

- Venetians more concerned forself than state

- Venetians did not care

for state

What we can learn?-better to rely on own citizens army than on others

- National Service is important

- all-rounded education like Total Defence is important


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Lesson 5: A Committed Citizenry

Venice at its peak:- proud to be Venetians

- loyal to Venice

Venice in decline:- complacent due to

past success- cared more for self

than state

What we can learn?

- we must be prepared to make sacrifices

- must remain committed to the nation

- must guard against complacency


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Lesson 6: Sustaining Economic Development

Venice at its peak:- people highly innovative

- took advantage of

opportunities in maritime

technology to expand its

economic development

Venice in decline:-Failed to look at challenges

as opportunities- Failed to respond to

competitions

What we can learn?

- the government must constantly seek out new

Opportunities for sustaining our growth to

Overcome competitions


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How does Singapore ensure that its leaders do not

abuse their power?

- there are opposition members in Parliament to question

- there are also nominated MPs to question the government

- CPIB keeps a close check on government officials

BACK


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What are some examples of Singaporeans

involvement in the community?

Residents Committee

Self-help groups eg CDAC

BACK


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How does Singapore attract ships to call at its port?

By providing good customer service, efficiency in portoperations, and competitive pricing, among other things..

BACK


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How does Singapore attract foreign traders

and companies to start businesses here?

- provision of incentives to foreign investors- ensuring stability with good political and

economic structures

BACK


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In what way is foreign talent important to

Singapore?

- they contribute to the economy with the skills they bring in

- provides opportunities for locals to learn from foreign

talent

BACK


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Why do you think National Service is important

in Singapore?

Singapore is an independent state which needs to

rely on itself for survival. National Service would

allow Singapore to build up its army, which wouldact as a deterrence for any attempt to attack Singapore

BACK


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City-state

A state which is independent of its surrounding areas and

thrives in its independence. Usually, a city-state is smallin size but due to its economic and political vibrancies,

is able to make its presence known in the region.

BACK


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Coastal territories

Territories along the coast or sea. These territories were

very important during the Middle Ages. If a state was ableto control the territories, the state would be able to dominate

trade.

BACK


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Overland trade route

Trade from the west to the east was very tedious during the

Middle Ages. Traders had to travel to the Middle East byship, transfer their goods to caravans and travel across the

Middle East to the East. They then had to transfer their goods

to another ship before sailing to India.

BACK


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Trade monopoly

This is a practice of dominating trade, especially to the East.

Monopoly was acceptable during the Middle Ages but naturallyit also brought about jealousy among the states.

BACK


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Mercenaries

A common practice during the Middle Ages was to employ

soldiers to fight for them. These soldiers are called mercenaries.Mercenaries usually fight for states which pay them well.

However, there were mercenaries who remained loyal to the state

they were fighting for, for a long time.

BACK

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Venice Revised

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