2. Location:
Northern Italy

4. Venice consists of clusters of 120 small islands
situated some 3km from mainland. The islets were
separated by numerous canals. There were several
salt marshes on the lagoons which became a
profitable resource.

5. What was Venice like in the
5th to 9th Centuries?

6. Economic activities
• Capitalised their skill
Venetian Society in salt production and
monopolised salt trade System of
• The early settlements
consisted of small fishing • Traded salt & fish for government
villages grain • a vassal state of
• Craftsmen, fishermen • Established trade Byzantine Empire
and salt traders agreements with • could elect own
• Had an urban plan communities along Po leader (Doge)
with an organized River to gain access to • Doge – most
infrastructure mainland and forest experienced official,
• Little land for farming; products. from ruling family,
dependent on mainland. • Obtained wood for appointed for life
shipbuilding & trade •3-tiered
with Middle-East (for government
gold, spices) structure

7. How did Venice rise between the
9th and 15th Centuries?
LEADERSHIP
TRADE
DEVELOPMENT &
EXPANSION
INDUSTRIAL INNOVATIVE
DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES

8. How did Venice rise between the 9th and 15th
Centuries?
LEADERSHIP
Capable leaders contributed to the rise of Venice
Doge Peietro II Orseolo Doge Pietro Ziani succeeded
established control in Adriatic Doge Enrico Dandolo. After the
Sea capture of Constantinople,
military outposts were set up
along important trade routes to
Doge Enrico Dandolo directed safeguard Venice’s territorial
the Fourth Crusade captured control . This marked the
Constantinople and weakened beginning of Venice’s growth as
the Byzantine Empire a maritime empire over the
Mediterranean Sea.

9. Doge Peietro II Orseolo
established control in Adriatic
Sea
Doge Enrico Dandolo directed
the Fourth Crusade captured
Constantinople and weakened
the Byzantine Empire

10. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
Strong leadership in different aspects of the country’s
development was needed to ensure that
sound strategic decisions were made that enhanced the
country’s political and economic strengths.
By seizing control and managing the territories well,
these capable leaders contributed in no small way to the
rise of the importance of Venice.

11. Hotel Danieli is
one of the most
famous luxury
hotels in Venice.
Built in the 14th C,
the palazzo
belonged to the
family of the
remarkable doge,
Enrico Dandolo.

12. How did Venice rise between the 9th and 15th
Centuries?
Reforms within the government
LEADERSHIP
Creation of the Great Council (&
later the Senate) to
• involve more nobles to serve and
Capable leaders decide on Venice’s future
contributed to the rise of • allow for specialization of duties in law
Venice finance coinage, foreign relations,
commerce and fleets
Doge Peietro II Orseolo
established control in Adriatic The Great Council (of Ten)
Sea Maintained checks & balances (How?)
• monitor the activities of organizations
to safe-guard against corruption;
Doge Enrico Dandolo directed • crush plots against the government
the Fourth Crusade captured • limited the power of the Doge;
Constantinople and weakened • preventing concentration of power
the Byzantine Empire • Ensure best candidates for the election
process

13. From
12th to 18th C
Council of Ten
(Signoria)
Doge
Ducal Council
General Assembly
Up to 10th C

14. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
Venice made constant improvements to their system
of government.
The Venetians were able to respond to threats and
challenges by ensuring strong political leadership.
With a growing population and prosperity the
structure of the government was also reformed to respond
to greater demands.

15. How did Venice rise between the
9th and 15th Centuries?
LEADERSHIP TRADE
DEVELOPMENT
& EXPANSION
INDUSTRIAL INNOVATIVE
DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES

16. How did Venice rise between the 9th and 15th
Centuries? Through …
TRADE DEVELOPMENT &
Attitude towards trade & EXPANSION
overcoming competition
Skilled diplomats – obtained
favourable trading terms
(lower taxes, brought in
highly prized spices from
East)
Enterprising spirit – explored
new trade routes, supplies &
markets, beyond Middle East
to China) e.g. Marco Polo
Foreign traders established
permanent trading posts in the
city state – Arabs, Armenians,
Greek and Africans

18. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
By having an adventurous spirit, Venetian
merchants and explorers were able to expand their trade
which led to rapid economic growth.
The increase in variety of valuable products traded
created a lot of wealth for the country and was a reason
for the rise of Venice.

19. How did Venice rise between the 9th and 15th
Centuries? Through …
TRADE DEVELOPMENT &
EXPANSION
Innovations in Maritime Technology
Nautical chart
provided information Mariner’s compass
from known voyages Venetian fleets
(landmarks, distance, propelled by oars
ports) for more
and sails allowing Improved visibility in
accurate planning
swift travel over winter – for trade in
long distances - the Mediterranean
The great galley was throughout the year
built in 13th C – a
greater trade
combination of a expansion and
merchant and war vessel territorial
– to deter pirates control

20. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
Venice took advantage of the opportunites in
maritime technology during the 13th C.
The increase in variety of valuable products traded
created a lot of wealth for the country and was a reason
for the rise of Venice.

21. Other
reasons… &
Efficiency in managing voyages
E
AD ENT Senate set up management
TR PM N
O IO
VEL ANS Maritime technology system where traders
DE EXP
led to greater efficiency travelled in convoys (more
in sea trade profitable to trade in large
quantities & greater trade
volume)
Overcoming trade competition
Competition from Genoa over trade in the
Mediterranean area led to series of war. Genoa was
defeated in late 14th C, and this led to more trade.
Trade monopoly
Used a combination of land
Venice’s strategic location & sea routes to Arabia
at the northern tip of the Able to provide greater variety of goods
Adriatic Sea, Central and than Genoa or the Hanseatic League
Southern Europe (trading states of N Europe)

22. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
With superior ships that were able to travel further,
and strong enough to repel pirate attacks enabled Venice
to obtain exotic products from the Middle East and China
for which there was a huge demand.
Monopolising the trade routes in Europe enabled
Venice to raise the prices – made large profits as
European states had to buy from Venice than other states.
With all-year round travel, expansion of trade and
territorial control led to more ships calling at Venice,
increased trade and a higher level of economic
prosperity.

24. How did Venice rise between the
9th and 15th Centuries?
LEADERSHIP
TRADE DEVELOPMENT
& EXPANSION
INDUSTRIAL INNOVATIVE
PRACTICES
DEVELOPMENT

25. INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Manufacturing Trade-related industries
industries Arsenal was developed into a
More market for centralized shipbuilding industrial
Traditional industries area producing great galleys
-Glass-making,
candles & scented
soap
New industries such
as printing emerged
More skilled
craftsmen attracted
to settle in Venice.

26. How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
Venice’s trade expansion encouraged its industrial
development. Craftsmen were well-paid and this
attracted other craftsmen from Europe and the
surrounding region to settle in the city-state.
Arsenal, the shipbuilding centre producing became the
backbone of Venice’s maritime industry and power.
The success of the industries and particularly its
maritime trade brought Venice wealth and recognition.

27. How did Venice rise between the
9th and 15th Centuries?
LEADERSHIP
TRADE DEVELOPMENT
& EXPANSION
INNOVATIV
INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT E
PRACTICES

28. The Venetians were highly innovative as seen in the new ways of conducting businesses. Trade efficiency increased and and Venice’s economy expand
Accounting
Double-entry bookkeeping method
INNOVATIV (standardized columns of credit and
E debit columns and entries)
PRACTICES Giro-banking which minimizes the
need for cash transactions and
currency exchanges between
traders, allows for loans, and
several transactions to be made in
a day
How is this a reason for the rise of Venice?):
The Venetians were highly innovative as seen in the new ways of
conducting businesses. Trade efficiency increased and Venice’s
economy expanded.

30. Impact of Development in the 15th Century
Economic Prosperity
Territorial possessions - In the industries,
Controlled trade in talented craftsmen were
-Mediterranean Sea well-paid
(through defeating - trade unions and guilds
Byzantine Empire) Social transformation were formed to
-Adriatic Sea region (by - attracted foreign talent ensure job
- promoted migration security and
surpressing pirates)
(owing to labour shortage) quality of goods
- cosmopolitan city produced
- Became renown as Centre
of the Arts in Europe
- government funds were
provided to support
development of
Universities for scientific
and literary fields