4. How did Venice face challenges between the 15th and 18th centuries

• 4.1 Foreign threats• 4.2 Maritime competition• 4.3 Political challenges • 4.4 Social challenges • 4.5 The fall of Venice

4.1 Foreign threatsInvolvement in the mainland• At the beginning of the 15th century, political

developments in Europe force the Venetian government to turn its attention to controlling the nearby mainland territories.

• These mainland territories had all along been supplying Venice with essential resources such as food and water.

• Venice needed to secure and maintain their supply of resources for the city-state’s growing population and expanding industries.

4.1 Foreign threatsInvolvement in the mainland• One way for Venice to protect is territories

and commercial interests was by taking advantage of the rivalry among the mainland states

• Venice tried to achieve balance of power by offering to help one fight against the other.

• The Venetians also recruited mercenaries to fight its wars given Venice’s small population.

4.1 Foreign threatsThe Ottoman Empire• From around the 13th century, the Ottoman

Empire began expanding its influence from the Middle East into Europe over land and later by sea.

• By the 15th century, the Ottomans had replaced Genoa as Venice’s greatest competitor for maritime control.

• Venice was forced to give up some of its less important territories to avoid further losses.

4.1 Foreign threats

The Ottoman Empire• The Ottoman Empire fought a seven-year war

with the Venetians for control of the Aegean Sea and then Adriatic Sea.

• There were two more periods of wars in the 15th century.

4.1 Foreign threatsThe League of Cambrai• In 1508, a military alliance consisting of major

powers in Europe such as Spain, Hungary and France was formed.

• The League aimed to reduce the power of Venice and divide its territories amongst the larger states.

• In one of the battles at Agnadello, the Venetian mercenary army was badly defeated.

• Many of its territories fell to the members of the League.

4.2 Maritime competition Discovery of new sea routes• In 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama

discovered a new sea route going round the Cape of Good Hope.

• As a result, the Portuguese were able to buy their spices directly from India and this led to competition with the Venetians.

• Venice’s traditional overland route was more time-consuming and unsafe because of robbers and plunderers.

4.2 Maritime competition New trade rivals• By the 17th century, new trade rivals emerged

when the Dutch and British East India Company were formed.

• The Venetians responded to these challenges by imposing a protectionist policy.

• They imposed higher duties on foreign traders, but such a policy did not attract traders as it proved to be too costly to trade with the Venetians.

4.3 Political challenges Incapable leadership• Venice faced the challenge of a shrinking

number of the nobility as older families died.• Another plague struck Venice in the 17th

century and led to an alarming decline of the population of the nobility.

• From the 16th century, a small group of rich nobles dominated the government, thus making renewal of leadership a challenge.

• With power in the hands of a few, corruption was inevitable in the higher offices.

4.3 Political challenges Corruption in the government• In order to finance the cost of wars with the

Ottomans and the neighbouring states, the Venetian government suspended the salaries of civil servants.

• Some members of the nobility lost their source of income.

• Many poor nobles were willing to sell their votes to those selected to fill high posts at a high price.

• Another form of corruption was the sale of positions to raise funds during crises.

4.3 Political challenges Over-dependence on mercenaries• The Venetian army employed soldiers from its

Mediterranean territories.• There were also French and Dutch

mercenaries employed for the wars with Genoa and the Ottomans.

• Some of these paid soldiers did not remain loyal to Venice as they could always be offered better salaries from other states.

• In 1619, a large number of French mercenaries plotted within Venice to seize the Ducal Palace and kill the Senate members.

4.4 Social challenges • The Venetians became less prepared for war

as they shifted their focus away from security matters.

• As nobles became more affluent, they became less involved in important matters such as the administration and development of the city-state.

• Many wealthy nobles indulged in lavish parties and celebrations.

• Gambling halls grew and some rich nobles who were addicted to gambling lost their fortunes.

4.5 The fall of Venice • In the 18th century, France’s growing power

threatened many European states. • Venice’s fortresses and army were outdated

as compared to the sophistication of the French army.

• There were no capable nobles to organise and lead an army to defeat Napoleon’s soldiers.

• Venice refused to join the alliance of Italian sates for fear of provoking the French.

• A small number of Venetians supported by French agents plotted to overthrow the government.

4.5 The fall of Venice

• On 12 May 1797, Doge Ludovico Manin surrendered Venice to Napoleon without a single shot being fired.