Venice and the Italian city-states XI-XV century
During the period of late feudalism, the long-standing decline of medieval cities was overcome. At the end of the XII century in Western Europe there was a revival of the urban economy. The rise of urban centers was due to the separation of artisanal production from agriculture as a separate industry. Many craftsman settled in places with a higher population density, where they sought prospects for the placement of their works. Locations such as these were bridges, towers, medieval castles, monasteries and harbors. Until the XV century, the average distance between Western European cities did not exceed 20 to 30 kilometers.
Early urban centers with the appearance of trade and craft appeared in Italy in the X century as Venice, Genoa, Florence, Naples and Milan. This was helped by the intensive trade contacts of Italy with the Byzantine Empire and the eastern countries. It was in these cities that the movement for overcoming feudal dependence was born. The main participants in it were representatives of the urban craft and trade circles. As a result of the transformations, on the territory of Italy these cities became cities-republics.Venice was an independent city-state ruled by the Doge, who was elected for life among by the members of the richest and most influential Venetian clans. In 1140 the Doge power passed entirely into the hands of the Grand Council - composed of representatives of the noble families in the city. Thanks to their active participation in the Crusades in the XII century, the Venetians greatly expanded their influence. As a result of the Fourth Crusade, Venice ruled valuable territories and ports in the Peloponnese, Dalmatia, the Ionian Islands, Cyprus, Crete, and even Constantinople after its conquest by the Crusaders in 1204.
At the end of the XIII century, after defeating its greatest trade rivals, Genoa and Dubrovnik, Venice established complete supremacy in Mediterranean trade. It reached its greatest power in the XIV century when, thanks to its economic boom, Venetian silver dinars and gold ducats appeared everywhere as a means of payment along the Mediterranean coast even in Europe as well.