2 - History

02 History

Listen to a lecture in a history class

Like most of the cities in Italy has a rich history in modern times. It’s mostly known for the canals that link the entire city together as roads do. In most other places, but in the past. Venice was a powerful Republic.

As with Rome. It wise. Well, it definitely was not built in one day. In fact, the rise of the Venetian Republic was an ongoing process that took about five centuries.

We can analyze the success of the Venetian Republic in terms of developments of many arenas.

However, by examining the growth of trade over the course of Venetian history. The link between political power and trade become pretty apparent.

So let’s do that. Let’s begin in the 10th century when the threat of Norman invasion was looming and challenged Venetian trade routes see Norman invasion would have obviously meant a loss of territory of the delineations were equally concerned with maintaining their connections to the south.

Think for a moment about where Venice is geographically it’s located in the swampy land in northern Italy, where it hugs the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This position gave them easy access to some places.

But in order to maintain their partnerships with the republics closer to the Mediterranean coast.

It was imperative for them to knock out the Norman threat and that’s exactly what they did in defeating the Normans Venice also gained a friend in the Byzantine Emperor Alexius who very much appreciated their help in helping defend Byzantine Alexius the first granted Venice exclusive trading rights throughout the Byzantine Empire.

Do you understand the implications of that it essentially allowed the Venetians to build a monopoly, but the friendliness pretty much disappeared as Venice became increasingly antagonistic toward Byzantine boards?

I don’t want to make it seem like it was all Venice here, though, to be fair, I think it’s safe to say that the Byzantine Emperor also recognized how prosperous Venice was becoming. And the more money.

Venice made the greater the threat they posed to the Byzantine Empire.

Anyway, the rising tension with the Byzantine Empire led to a series of aggressive strikes that brought the Venetian Byzantine trade alliance to an end.

The bitterness between the Venetians and the Byzantines was an ongoing conflict, but in 1204. It reappeared with a dangerous new facet.

This time the Byzantines had the help of the Genoese and with the help of the Genoese, the Byzantines recovered their land in 1261 and while the Venetians were now shut out of the Byzantine trade.

Jamila now had access to the Black Sea markets.

Can you understand how big of a blow?

This was to the Venetians. Remember, the Venetian Republic had built a monopoly by this time, and by being shut out.

They lost a lot of money. Additionally, now there wasn’t just the problem of the Byzantines, but also of the Genoese.

I think at this point, we see that the Venetian shifted their focus from finding the Byzantines to fighting the Genoese and this makes sense if you think about it because for the Venetians.

It was always about trade rights and after the Genoese align themselves with the Byzantines and reach all these benefits, they were also the main competition is everyone still following.

Okay, let’s move on to the 14th century, which is when, according to most historians. Venice reached the apex.

It’s the height of its power. The 14th century was a difficult. Throughout all of Italy. People were at war with each other just about everywhere.

Venice got involved with some of that but really the focus of their antagonism was as it had been for years before with general.

By this time Jenna line Venice had been at each other’s throats for what like 100 years. The fighting took a toll on both sides.

It was making them both lose money and I think that they both finally just got tired of fighting and called a truce in 1381 Venice got a better deal in the peace treaty because they pretty much got control of all the sea routes.

Plus, they were able to focus on administering to all the territory that they had gained over the years.

7) What is the main topic of the lecture?

8) Why does the professor mention Rome?

9) How did the defeat of the Normans benefit the Venetians?

10) What does the professor mean when she says this:

I don’t want to make it seem like it was all Venice here, though, to be fair, I think it’s safe to say that the Byzantine Emperor also recognized how prosperous Venice was becoming.

11) Listen again to part of the lecture, then answer the question.

This time the Byzantines had the help of the Genoese and with the help of the Genoese, the Byzantines recovered their land in 1261 and while the Venetians were now shut out of the Byzantine trade.

Jamila now had access to the Black Sea markets. Can you understand how big of a blow?

This was to the Venetians. Remember, the Venetian Republic had built a monopoly by this time, and by being shut out. They lost a lot of money.

Why does the professor say this: Can you understand how big of a blow?

This was to the Venetians.

12) Based on information from the lecture, indicate whether or not each event occurred in the Venetian Republic. Place a checkmark in the correct box.