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REVISION: RISE OF VENICE

EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE SEQs PARAGRAPH ONE PARAGRAPH TWO PARAGRAPH 3

1. To what extent was the success of
Venice from the 9th C onwards due to
capable leadership? Explain your
answer. (GCE O 2002)
2. Was its political system more a help than
a hindrance to Venice? Explain your
answer. (GCE O 2005)
3. To what extent was its geographical
location responsible for the rise of
Venice? Expln your ans. (GCE O 2007)

4. To what extent was the rise of Venice

due to political factors? Explain your
answer.
5. Here are 3 reasons for the rise of Venice:
 System of government
 Attitude & qualities of Venetians
 Strategic geographical location
Which one of these is the most important? Explain your
answer
6. How far were the qualities and skills of
the Venetians an important reason for the
rise of Venice? Explain your answer.
7. To what extent was its ship-building
industry important for Venice in over-
coming competition from their
trade rivals in Europe? Explain your ans.
8. How far did adapting to maritime
advances bring Venice its economic
prosperity? Explain your answer.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
1. FACTOR: CAPABLE LEADERS
a. State 3 things Doge Pietro II
Capable leaders who were farsighted contributed to growth and development of Venice between the 9 th Orseolo did that contributed to
and 15th centuries. For example, at a time when Venice was still weak, Doge Pietro II Orseolo maintained the growth and development of
friendship with the Byzantine emperor and established relations with the Germanic kings. This helped Venice?
Venice to protect her independence and also to obtain favourable trading terms. He also created
b. How did his 3 actions benefit
trade links with the Muslim states in North Africa at a time when Europe was hostile to Muslims. This Venice?
enabled Venice to become the middleman in the trade between the Middle East and Europe. He
also brought the pirates under control and thus made it safer for Venetian trading ships to sail in the
c. How did Doge Enrico Dandolo
Adriatic Sea. Later, when Venice became stronger, other Doges helped to expand Venetian trade help to expand Venetian trade?
through territorial conquests. Doge Enrico Dandolo overthrew the Byzantine Emperor and captured the
capital Constantinople and other territories in the Mediterranean region. These conquests gave Venice d. How did territorial conquests
control over important trade routes. They were able to set up military outposts along the trade benefit Venice?
routes, gain the best trading terms for Venice and handle trade competition more effectively. This
marked the beginning of Venice’s growth as a maritime empire.
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2. FACTOR: REFORMS IN THE GOVERNMENT

e. Why were reforms introduced
The reforms that were introduced in the government to meet the demands of the growing city-state also in the Venetian government?
contributed to the rise of Venice. E.g., in the 12th century, the Great Council was created. It was made
up of men from the most influential families in Venice and had multiple roles including the election of f. What was the Great Council?
capable members to all councils and the passing of laws. As Venice grew, more committees were
g. Why was the Senate created
created to specialize in specific duties of government. E.g., in response to the expansion of trade and and what were its functions?
frequent contact with foreign countries, the Senate was created to oversee foreign relations, commerce
and the operations of Venetian fleet. As the structure of the government grew more complex, there was a h. Why did they need a system
of checks and balances?
need for a system of checks and balances to ensure that there were no corrupt practices or abuse of
power. Thus, the Council of Ten was formed to deal with critical matters such as internal security of the i. What were functions of the
state. It could even limit the power of the Doge. The process of electing officials through balloting and Council of Ten?
strict election rules prevented any individual or family from dominating the government. It also ensured all
j. Why did Venice introduce
positions of responsibility in the government were filled up. The reforms gave Venice political stability balloting and strict rules in the
and a system of government made up capable and talented officials who were dedicated to election process?
serving the country by introducing policies that helped Venice to develop into a successful city-
state and maritime power. The specialization of duties ensured the various roles of government k. What positive impact did all the
reforms in government have on
were carried out efficiently. With this system of government also, the resources of the city were Venice?
safeguarded to benefit the country.

3. FACTOR: EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF MANAGING VOYAGES

An important policy that contributed greatly to Venice’s success as a trading centre was an effective l. How did the Venetians
system of managing voyages. The Senate organized and closely monitored the schedule of voyages. manage their trading voyages?
They put traders in groups and arranged for them to travel in convoys. The system also made full use of m. How did this system of
maritime advances. As a result, Venice was able to handle a rapid expansion of trade and managing voyages benefit
territorial control. The system also enabled traders to protect themselves better from pirates, and, Venice?
offer a larger variety of goods which they could sell at fixed prices and thus earn more profits.
The efficiency of this system enabled Venice to expand its trade into many regions and beat their
trade competitors who were less organized.

4. FACTOR: VENETIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS TRADE / QUALITIES AND SKILLS OF

VENETIANS
n. How did the Venetian
The Venetians had skills and qualities that also contributed to the rise of Venice. They were skilled diplomatic skills benefit Venice?
diplomats who were able to obtain favourable trading terms such as low tax rates. They also had an
enterprising spirit as they travelled to unknown lands to discover new trade routes, suppliers and markets. o. How did the Venetian
enterprising spirit benefit Venice?
They were able to establish good relations with countries in the Far East, expand their trade, and bring in
highly-prized goods like spices from the East. Therefore, they stayed ahead of their trade competitors
in Europe such as Genoa. The wealth created by their trade with Asia turned Venice into one of
the greatest cities in Europe. Foreign traders travelled to Venice and even established permanent p. How did Venetian’s extensive
knowledge of shipbuilding benefit
trading posts in there. Venetians also had extensive knowledge of shipbuilding. They designed and built Venice?
superior ships called galleys that were propelled by both oars and sail. Their Great Galley was a
combination of a merchant and war vessel. All these gave them many benefits, especially after their
shipbuilding industry was centralized at the Arsenal in 1100 and became the backbone of their maritime
industry and power. As a result, Venetian traders could sail further and more frequently at any time
of the year, carry more goods, and deter pirates from attacking them. These benefits helped
Venice have an edge over their competitors and led to the expansion of trade and territorial
control for Venice.
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5. FACTOR: INNOVATION IN MARITIME TECHNOLOGY

Innovation in maritime technology in the 13th C also contributed to the rise of Venice. For example, q. Describe two innovation in
nautical charts which had information about distance, important landmarks and ports enabled Venetian maritime technology in the 13th
century.
traders to plan their journey more accurately. Another example is the mariner’s compass which ensured r. Explain how these innovations
that their ships stayed on course. These innovations made travel in winter possible. The Venetians benefited Venice.
optimized the use of these innovations and so they were able to dominate trade in the
Mediterranean Sea throughout the year.

6. FACTOR: STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Venice’s strategic geographical location was important in its rise to become a great maritime empire and s. Describe Venice’s strategic
trading centre. Venice was strategically located at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea. They were at the geographical location.
intersection between Europe and the Middle East. This gave them an advantage over their political and
trade competitors in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, especially Genoa which was located further t. How did this strategic location
enable Venice to have an edge
inland. From their location, Venetian traders have easier access to both the overland and sea routes to over its competitors?
go to Arabian ports to buy Middle Eastern goods which they later sold at very high prices to European
states. In addition, being only 3 km away from the Italian mainland, the early Venetians gained access to
the mainland and its forested areas to obtain wood for shipbuilding and trading with Middle Eastern states u. Apart from its strategic
in return for gold, spices and incense. Venice’s strategic location, together with other factors – such as location, what other factors
their diplomatic skills at negotiating trade agreements, their enterprising spirit, their knowledge of enabled Venice to beat its
shipbuilding, their strong navy, their effective system of managing voyages, and the way they fully competitors?
capitalized on new maritime technology – all enabled Venice to provide a larger quantity and greater
variety of goods from the East. Central and Southern Europe had no choice but to rely on Venice
for Eastern goods. It brought great riches to Venice which grew from strength to strength. After
many wars with Genoa, Venice was able to defeat it in the 14th C. From then onwards, Venice
dominated the Mediterranean Sea and gained monopoly of the Mediterranean region which
brought them greater international trade.

7. FACTOR: MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES / INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT v. What brought about the

The development of manufacturing industries also contributed to Venice’s rise. With the expansion of development of manufacturing
trade, Venetians grew richer and began to demand for luxury goods such as glassware, candles and industries in Venice?
w. Give examples of the
scented soap. As a result, industries manufacturing these goods grew and thrived in Venice. The printing manufacturing industries that
industry also blossomed in Venice in order to serve the large reading public there. Venice’s extensive thrived in Venice.
trade connections made it easy to find buyers for the goods and obtain supplies such as paper. The new x. How did industrial
development contribute to
industries created more jobs which attracted many skilled craftsmen from other parts of Europe Venice’s rise?
who settled down and worked in Venice. They also generated more wealth for Venice.

8. FACTOR: INNOVATIVE PRACTICES

Another factor which contributed to the success of Venice were the innovative practices that the y. Describe two innovative
practices developed and
Venetians developed and introduced. For example, they introduced double-entry book-keeping that introduced by Venetians.
helped traders keep track of the amount of goods and details of their trading transactions. They also
introduced Giro banking which made it convenient for traders to do business since they did not have to z. How did these innovative
carry large amounts of money. These innovative practices helped to facilitate trade. Foreign traders practices contribute to the
success of Venice?
were attracted to Venice because of the convenient and efficient services available there.
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