Venice Decline

Factors for the decline of Venice: Foreign Threats Maritime Competition Political Challenges Social Challenges  Eventual fall of Venice by surrendering to the French under Napoleon Bonaparte Decline of Venice

Which of these factors was the most important reason for the decline of Venice?

Foreign Threats Involvement in mainland The Ottoman Empire The League of Cambrai Political Challenges Maritime Competition Social Challenges Factors that led to the decline of Venice:

1) Foreign Threats Involvement in the Mainland Description: Venice created alliances with larger and more powerful states in Mainland Europe against other rival states ( to protect her territories and commercial interests) . These mainland states were Venice’s source of water and food for her growing population and expanding industries. Venice tried to take advantage of rivalry among the mainland states by taking sides . Decline of Venice

How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)? To overcome the possibility that negotiations could put Venetians at risk, the only way was to build own strong army by recruiting mercenaries to fight the wars.  By switching alliances with different opposing states, Venice was creating fragile relations with larger states – putting Venice at risk. Venice could be attacked should negotiations fail.  The rivalry among the mainland states also made the overland trade route unsafe as constant battles were fought in the region.

1) Foreign Threats b) Ottoman Empire Description: Expanding power of the Ottoman Empire (present Turkey) saw constant wars with Venice especially over the control of the Adriatic Sea. The Ottomans attacked Venetian territories from their own territories along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Venice fought a 7-year war against the sea campaigns started by the Ottoman to wrestle for the control of the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Decline of Venice

The Venetians tried to strike a balance of power with the Ottomans and their European neighbours. Conflicting actions such as concessions made to the Ottomans, and military aid sent to European states to fight the Ottomans in defence of their territories led to a deep hostility for Venice. In 1463, the European states launched a military campaign against the Ottomans. Due to resentment, Venice fought the Ottomans on their own and lost Negroponte, an important Eastern trade outpost.

The wars with Venice and expansion of the Ottoman Empire resulted in Venice losing some territories – Venice’s poor relations with other European states left Venice to defend against the Ottoman Empire alone. This severely weakened Venice, and trade in the Adriatic Sea was disrupted. Venice was forced to give up some of the mainland territories to avoid being involved in mainland wars. The galleys were used to fight off attacks by the Ottomans in the 7-year sea-campaigns. This disrupted its use of galleys for trading purposes. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

1) Foreign Threats c) League of Cambrai Description: The League of Cambrai was formed by Mainland states to reduce power of Venice and divide the territories amongst the larger states. In one of the battles of Agnadello, the Venetian mercenary army was defeated and Venice lost many of its territories. The defeat at Agnadello stretched Venice’s political and military capabilities. By forming new alliances, she managed to recapture some of its territories. Decline of Venice

Venice lost more territories. Renewed campaigns resulted in Venice weakening due to the high cost of wars and the draining of resources - She had to raise taxes to finance the employment of its mercenary armies as well as to replenish supply of weaponry. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

Foreign Threats Political Challenges Maritime Competition Discovery of new sea routes New trade rivals Social Challenges Factors that led to the decline of Venice:

2) Maritime Competition a) Discovery of New Sea Routes Description: Vasco da Gama (Portuguese explorer) discovered a new sea route to India – This broke Venice’s monopoly in spice trade - made Portuguese stronger and more powerful. They were now able to buy spices directly from India and greatly reduced the large profits of the Venetian traders. Decline of Venice

Venice lost monopoly in spice trade and suffered losses in their economy – Portuguese became stronger, which provided strong competition to Venice’s trade. Although Venice’s traditional route to the East by the Mediterranean was shorter, it was time-consuming. The overland route to Hormuz was also considered risky because of robbers and plunderers. Despite losing its middleman role, Venice continued to function as a trade centre in western Mediterranean Sea for Persian silk, Mediterranean wine, as well as its glassware. Venice also expanded its trade to the North Sea region and maintained trade links with England. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)? -

2) Maritime Competition: b) New Trade Rival Description: More European countries began to trade directly with the East instead of going through Venice as middleman and her entrepot trade. Dutch EIC & English EIC with better designed ships Larger states such as England and Holland were more successful in negotiating for favourable trading rights in new ports. Decline of Venice

Venice first lost trade as a middleman as European countries no longer use Venice a source of goods from the East – Venetians responded b imposing protectionist policy on foreign traders. This made it costly to trade with the Venetians. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

Foreign Threats Political Challenges Incapable leadership Corruption in government Over-dependence on mercenaries Social Challenges Factors that led to the decline of Venice: Maritime Competition

3. Political Challenges: a) Incapable Leadership Description: From 16 th century, many of the military leaders were not competent . The shrinking number of the nobility as older families died; decline in the nobility was worsened by the 17 th C plaque. Most policies focused on preserving power, prestige and wealth of notbles rather than for the good of the city-state. Rotation of duties led to incompetent officers taking up positions by default, even as in leading the naval warfare against the Ottomans. Decline of Venice

With a shrinking pool of nobility to select leaders from, the choice of able leaders was thus limited. With weak military leaders, Venice could not compete with enemies led by capable and qualified leaders – led to many losses and the decline of Venice. Nobles sought to retain their family wealth, property and power resulting in the domination of a small group of rich nobles in the government. With power in the hands of a few, corruption was inevitable in the higher offices. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

3) Political Challenges b) Corruption in the Government Description: Some members of the nobility lost their source of income: with the suspended the salaries of civil servants to finance the wars with Ottoman Empire and the large European states, and the disruption of trade . Nobles bought votes to gain position Nobles also sold positions to raise funds Decline of Venice

Because of loss of wealth Nobles sold their votes to those who wanted to gain position Nobles also sold positions to raise funds. This led to corruption in the government and the rise of a group of nobles in the Venetian Government who made policies to serve nobility interests more than for the interests of the city-state. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

3) Political Challenges: c) Overdependence on Mercenaries Description: Venice employed French and Dutch mercenaries to fight battles – mercenaries were well paid during strong economic growth. Venice was greatly dependent on them more so when population declined following the plague. In 1615, Venice hired mercenaries of many nationalities to fight the War of Gradisca. Instead, the French mercenary plotted to seize the Ducal Palace and kill the Senate members. This showed that they could no longer fully trust the mercenary army. Decline of Venice

- Mercenaries turned against Venice and fought for the larger and richer states. Venice became weaker when the mercenaries left or turned against them – led to easy defeats of Venice. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

Foreign Threats Social Challenges Factors that led to the decline of Venice: Maritime Competition Political Challenges

4) Social Challenges Description: - Nobles became richer and less interested and prepared for war and security matters. When Venice was strong in economic growth, lifestyles of the nobles became better and they went in pursuit of entertainment and pleasures, with lavish parties and celebrations. Nobles also became more distant from commoners. Decline of Venice

Nobles who were entrusted with the affairs of the state became complacent about territorial issues. It was only a matter of time that they would be proven to have outdated fortresses and army. Nobles were not alert to changes in the political scene in the region such as France’s growing power under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. There were no capable nobles to lead and organize an army to defeat Napoleon. Instead, a small number of Venetians, aided by the French, plotted to overthrow Venetian ruling government. When Napoleon confronted Venice, Doge Ludovico Manin surrended the city-state without a single shot fired. The decline of Venice was complete. How (was this a reason for the decline of Venice)?

Venice Decline

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Venice Decline