Theme 5 Facing Challenges and Change (Venice)

Theme 5
Facing Challenges and Change

·       Reasons / Causes for the Rise of Venice (Not included)

·       Reasons/Causes for the Fall of Venice

Venice – A great city state of its time

A)      The reasons for Venice’s decline

Sample:
Q1a. Explain how corruption led to the end of Venice. [5]
Q1b. Explain 2 other causes that led to the end of Venice. Which is the greater cause? Explain your answer. [10]

Factors
Main factor 1: Foreign threats developed ( External factors) Sub-factor 1: Poor relations with European states  ·         Needed inland states for resources ·         Venice tried to maintain a balance of power by switching alliances between large European nations e.g. France/Spain. ·         Venice switched alliances often No certainty which alliance Venice could depend on ·         Venice could come under attack anytime with few permanent friends. With constant threat of war with the inland states… ·         Overland trade route in inland Europe was unsafe ·         Negatively affected Venice’s trade Venice spent a lot on the military and had a large mercenary army. Sub-factor 2: Venice was challenged by the Ottoman Empire [Competition for power in the region]  ·         Lost territory to Ottoman Empire(Turkish Empire) ·         Competed with Venice for control of maritime routes. ·         Ottomans captured territory along the Adriatic Sea and attacked Venetian territory. ·         Venetians turned their trade ship(Venetian galley) into warships  ·         Fewer ships for trade  ·         Trade volumes dropped àVenice’s economy affected ·         7 years of war with Ottomans over the Aegean and Adriatic sea drained Venice’s resources and manpower and disrupted trade Venice weakened.   ·         Venetians negotiated with the Ottomans and gave concessions This angered European states as the Ottomans were Muslim European states were Christian and they felt that Venice betrayed their religion. ·         Venice became isolated & depended on itself in 1463 when the Europeans started a war with the Ottomans Venice lost Negroponte. Sub-factor 3: The league of Cambrai  ·         Larger European nations jealous of Venice  ·         Wanted to check its power  ·         1508, League of Cambrai formed ( Spain, Hungary and France) and captured  much Venetian territories ·         Venice lost heavily ·         Venice negotiated peace with some European states and formed new alliances  ·         Venice used force to retake some territory  ·         But this drained Venice’s resources  ·         Taxes in Venice raised
Main factor 2: Maritime competition ( External factors ) Sub-factor 1: Discover of new sea route linking Europe and Asia ·         Venice prospered with East-West Trade monopoly in e.g. spices. ·         New sea route round the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. ·         European nations bought spices directly from India ·         Venetians lost business in spice trade and no longer middlemen ( buys from  producers and sells to buyers) ·         New trade route safer than overland route Not all was lost…. ·         However, Venice still trade centre for the Mediterranean ·         Remained an important trade centre ·         Main supplier of goods like wine, raisins and silk to growing cities in Spain and Portugal ·         Demand for Venetian products like glassware remained high ·         Venice even expanded its trade with England. Sub-factor 2: New trade rivals ·         British and Dutch(New naval/sea powers) rivalled Venice in trade. ·         Dutch got spices directly from the East/Asia ·         British traded in cotton, pepper, tea and porcelain between the East (India and China) and the West   (Europe) ·         Affected Venice’s position in Entrepot trade Dutch and British had better, faster and larger ships.  ·         Venetians copied their designs but did not have the skill to sail them well. ·         Larger nations(Britain and Holland) were more successful in negotiating for favourable trading rights in new ports Venice imposed protectionist policy by imposing more tax on foreign goods at Venetian controlled ports: ·         Traders avoided trading at Venetian ports and were bypassed by the trade ships [Outcome] Venice lost its importance as a centre of trade.
Main factor 3: Political challenges (Internal factors) Weakening government Sub-factor 1: Incapable leadership caused by a shrinking population.   ·         Venice’s population reduced due to plague [Disease carried by rats]  ·         Lack of quality people. [Pool of talent was shrinking] ·         Many nobles died  ·         Wealth concentrated in a few noble families  ·         Noble families intermarried with tendency for corruption ·         People remained in high positions for long time.  ·         Policies were crafted to keep money and power in the hands of the wealthy and connected ·         By the 16th century, a small group of nobles dominated the government. ·         Rotation of duties prevented some corruption BUT there was a loss of competent officers in a position.  Unsuitable people in jobs e.g. scholars. Example: In the wars against the Ottomans, one scholar was an ambassador and another one an accountant who became naval commanders. E.g. Nicolo da canal and Antonio Grimani. Lacked military skills  à Both lost heavily in battle.  Sub-factor 2: Corruption in government ·         Nobility lost their income as money channelled to finance wars ·         Nobles voted for people to fill high posts. ·         Poorer nobles willing to sell votes in elections for money.   ·         Leadership positions taken by those who bribe others NOT based on ability of candidate.   ·         Sale of leadership positions took place.  ·         Incompetent and self-serving people joined Venetian government = poorer quality of govt. decisions. Sub-factor 3: Overdependence on mercenaries  ·         Professional soldiers were non-Venetians - French, English and Dutch ·         Needed due to shrinking Venetian population  ·         But mercenaries lacked loyalty and were unreliable in battle.  ·         Ready to defect if paid better salaries by other countries. ·         Example: Mercenaries plotted against Venice in 1615 and 1619.
Main factor 4: Social challenges ( Internal factors) Sub-factor 1: Venetians Lost their morality and values ·         More concerned about wealth ·         With affluence less willing to do challenging things like developing Venice. ·         Indulged in enjoyment and entertainment [ Root ] Example: Lavish parties(Lasted for 6 months) and addicted to gambling [ Venetians became less hardworking] ·         Government became lazy and complacency set in Sub-factor 2: Venetian society became divided [ Linked to SF1] ·         Rich became distant from commoners ·         Gap between rich and poor widened ·         Social division àDisunity à weakened Venice’s cohesion

B) When Venice finally fell to the French 

·         Venetians did not want to join Italian states to put up joint defence

·         Some Venetians plotted to overthrow the government supported by the French

·         No ability to defend themselves – outdated weapons

·         No capable nobles left

·         Absence of fighting spirit

·         Loss of independence and no resistance put up to the invading French army.

C) How can states sustain themselves in an ever-changing world?
Sample questions:
2a. Explain how the state of relations with other states can help nations succeed.[5]
2b. Explain two other issues that can help nations do well. Which is the better approach? Explain your answer. [10]

Strategies	What nations should do (What Venice did right)	What nations should avoid (How Venice did it wrong)
Nation-building and social resilience	Have determination to succeed Maintain social cohesion Foreigners integrated well Sense of belonging developed	Corrupted by wealth and complacency
State of Relations with other states	Tactful diplomacy Strong military that benefit free trade	Make enemies with other states Get involved in power struggle with other states Unwilling to forge partnerships with rising nations
Governance	Constant improvements to government system Strong leadership Respond well to challenges Government reformed to respond to people’s demands	Corruption that weakens  government Unable to adapt to challenges
Sustaining economic development	Innovative people Take advantage of opportunities e.g. Maritime strength Increase efficiency	New ways of doing things e.g. New sea routes Ineffective counter-measures Attempts to copy rivals strategies Trade restrictions unpopular