Chapter 13

Growth of the Italian City-States

Period: Mar 3, 1050 to Mar 3, 1300

The Italian city-states see great growth in commercial and financial development as well as expanding populations and self-government. For example, Florence became wealthy through banking. These conditions allowed for the growth of an artistic culture and for the Renaissance to start.

Venice Starts to Grow

Mar 3, 1100

The city of Venice grows exceptionally wealthy due to a well-developed merchant marine. This also allowed for the growth of artistic culture because the wealthy were able to purchase paintings.

Failure of Republics

Mar 3, 1300

The popolo’s attempt to create republican governments in Italy fail. By this date, almost every major Italian city is controlled by the signori (despots) or oligarchs (merchant aristocrats).

Clocks Start to be Used in Europe

Mar 3, 1300

Clocks are installed in cities throughout Europe. They allow time to be measured so city workers can be accurately paid. It is also significant because it developed the mentality that the universe could be measured in quanitative terms.

Repudiation of the English Debt

Mar 3, 1344

King Edward III of England repudiated the English debt. The event caused many Florentine banks that had loaned the king money to go bankrupt.

Massacre of Jews by Spanish Soldiers

Mar 3, 1355

The event demonstrates that religious tolerance was nearly non-existant in France. It also highlights the high level of anti-semitism in the country.

The Import of African Slaves

Mar 3, 1420

African slaves start to be shipped to the Western Mediterranean. By 1530, over four thousand slaves were brought to Europe annually. These slaves were used as maids, valets and domestic servants.

The Creation of Special Magistrates

Mar 3, 1432

The Florentine government sets up a special magistrate to eliminate sodomy (homosexual acts). This is significant because it demonstrates how widespread homosexual acts were in Florence.

Pragmatic Sanction of Burges

Mar 3, 1438

Charles VII of France published the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, which gave the French crown control over the church and allowed the king to appoint bishops. This is significant because it gave the king power over the pope.

On the False Donation of Constantine

Mar 3, 1444

In On the False Donation of Constantine, Lorenza Valla proved that an 8th century document that supposedly gave the Vatican control over vast territory in Western Europe was actually a forgery.This demonstrates the growth of skepticism during the time period.

War of the Roses

Period: Mar 3, 1445 to Mar 3, 1471

The War of the Roses was fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York in England for control of the crown. The war damaged agriculture and the economy of England.

Venetian War Starts

Mar 3, 1450

Venice goes to war against Milan to protest Francesco Sforza’s acquisition of the title of Duke of Milan. Florence, at one point an ally of Venice, sided with Milan. This demonstrates the efforts to maintain the balance of power in Italy.

Venetian War Ends

Mar 3, 1454

The war between Venice and Milan ends. Venice received territory in return for recognizing Sforza’s claim.

Movable Type

Mar 3, 1454

Movable type was invented by Gutenberg, Fust and Schoffer. Movable type allowed type to be rearranged to create an infinite number of works. This is significant because it allowed the mass production of books that would spread ideas such as Protestantism and liberalism.

Gutenberg Bible

Mar 3, 1459

The Gutenberg Bible is published. This is one of the first mass-produced bibles in human history. It demonstrates the power of movable type.

Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon marry.

Mar 3, 1469

This marriage serves to combine the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. They would go on to help centralize Spain.

The Spanish Inquisition is Approved

Nov 3, 1478

Pope Sixtus IV authorizes the Inquisition after it is requested by Ferdinand. This demonstrates Ferdinand's willingness to prosecute the conversos.

Creation of Spanish Tribunals

Mar 3, 1480

Ferdinand and Isabella ordered the creation of tribunals to punish conversos who still followed the Jewish faith. This demonstrates that their efforts to centralize the Spanish state included enforcing a central religion.

St. Paul's Basilica is Rebuilt

Period: Mar 3, 1483 to Mar 3, 1511

The old St. Paul’s Basilica was torn down by Pope Julius II. In its place, a new cathedral was constructed. Michelangelo would paint the interior of the basilica’s dome. This demonstrates that the Renaissance effected the Vatican.

Isabella and Ferdinand issue an edict forcing all practicing Jews to leave Spain.

Mar 3, 1492

The Invasion of Italy

Mar 3, 1494

Charles VII of France invaded Italy. The states of Florence, Rome and Naples put up very little resistance. As a result, Italy became the focus of foreign ambition and armies.

The Hermandades are Disbanded

Mar 3, 1498

The Hermandades, originally created to preserve order in a faction filled Spain and to prevent aristocrats from warring, had been given the power to act as local police and justice tribunals. They were so effective that they were disbanded in 1498. This demonstrates an effort of Spain to maintain a centralized government.

The High Reaissance

Period: Mar 3, 1500 to Mar 3, 1527

The High Renaissance occurs. The main characteristics of Renaissance art, such as classical balance, harmony and restraint, where best demonstrated by artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.

The Education of a Christian Prince

Mar 3, 1504

In The Education of a Christian Prince, Erasmus argues that a ruler’s character should be formed through the study of ancient philosophers. This demonstrates the increased value of education during the time period.

Louis XII of France, the pope and the Emperor of Germany form the League of Cambrai to strip Venice of its mainland possession.

Mar 3, 1508

This demonstrates that Italy was increasingly controlled by other European nations.

The Prince

Mar 3, 1513

Machiavelli publishes The Prince. The book argues that leaders should do everything always attempt to increase their power. In addition, he advised that it was better for a leader to be feared than loved. Many European rulers used the techniques in this book to maintain power.

Utopia

Mar 3, 1516

Thomas More wrote Utopia. In the book, he argued for a society where precious metals were worthless and people were improved through social institutions. His book was radical because it argued that people were not innately evil.

Charles V succeeds Maxmillion as the Holy Roman Emperor.

Mar 3, 1519

Habsburg-Valois Wars Start

Mar 3, 1521

The Habsburg-Valois War, fought between the Valois family of France and the German Habsburg family, starts. The war is often fought in Italy. The war demonstrates that Italy was often controlled by outside nations.

Sack of Rome

Mar 3, 1527

Imperial forces under Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire sack the city of Rome and capture Pope Clement VII. This is significant because it officially ended the Renaissance.

The Courier

Mar 3, 1528

The Courier is written by Castiglione. The book argued that a proper gentleman should have a background in in many academic subjects and be strong in spiritual and physical aspects.