Italy In The Renaissance
The Renaissance saw the change not only of European culture, but also of Europe politically. Unlike Spain, England, and France, Italy fail to develop a strong centralized monarchy by the fourteenth century. Southern Italy had been divided into the kingdom of Sicily, ruled by the Spanish house of Argon, and the kingdom of Naples, whose rule came by the French house of Anjou. Central Italy had still been under the control of the Papacy. The Papacy had also opposed the Hohenstaufen rule in northern Italy, which virtually ensured Italy’s division (Spielvogel). During this time two major changes had occurred in the way that the Italians were governed. Republican governments were replaced with limited rule. Tyrants soon purchased titles from the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire to make their rule justified. The second major change was the expansion of the lager city-states at the expense of the smaller, less powerful ones. Italy in the late fourteenth century was a land of five major states and numerous independent city-states. Northern Italy was divided between the republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan. Francesco Sforza conquered the city of Milan and became the new duke after the death of the last Visconti ruler in 1447. Both
Most of southern Italy and the island of Sicily were under the control of the kingdom of Naples. This kingdom was fought over by the French and the Aragonese up until the middle of the fifteenth century when the Aragonese established their control over the land. Throughout the Renaissance, the kingdom of Naples remained a backward monarchy. Its population was consisted mostly of poverty-stricken peasants subjugated by uncontrollable nobles. Naples shared little in the cultural splendor of the Renaissance. Once ambassadors became residents, the concept of the ambassador also changed. Ambassadors had moved from concerning for all of Christendom to the concerns of their state. A fifteenth century Venetian diplomat attempted to define the new rule of ambassadors, stating “The first duty of the ambassador is exactly the same as that of any other servant of a government, that is, to do, say, advise, and think whatever may best serve the preservation and aggrandizement of his own state.” (Spielvogel) They could now use whatever methods would benefits the interests of the state. This ushered in the beginning of modern politics. The republic of Florence dominated the region of Tuscany. At the start of the fifteenth century, Florence was governed by a small merchant oligarchy that influenced the apparent republican government. It wasn’t until 1434 that the Medici took control under Cosimo de’ Medici. Altho
Some topics in this essay:
Italian Wars,
Bologna Ferrara,
Prince Machiavelli,
Visconti Sforza,
Italian Renaissance,
Papacy Papacy,
Roman Empire,
Throughout Renaissance,
Lorenzo Magnificent,
Medici Medici’s,
fifteenth century,
central italy,
kingdom naples,
political power,
concept ambassador changed,
control papal,
italy control,
southern italy,
northern italy,
independent city-states,
republic venice,
central italy control,
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Approximate Word count = 958
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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