Histo Presentation

The Historical Importance of Venices Maritime Industry

Served as a means of connection between the separated isles of the Venetian lagoon.
Means of transportation in early Venice (before the construction of bridges and roads)
A traditional road system would be inadequate for Venice

Led to the unification of all these isles under one rule

Venice is made up of many influential families on the different isles The maritime industry as a business and means of communication fostered cooperation among them.
Partnerships in business which became the dominant business model in Venice paved the way for political unification

The Historical Importance of Venices Maritime Industry

Source of livelihood in early Venice
Small trade
The natural port that Venice was led to it gaining a monopoly of maritime trade

Fishing Banking
As a means of consolidating and enhancing the gains of maritime trade

Defended early Venice from conquest by foreign powers

The only entrance into Venice is through the water thus putting more importance on the Navy

Venetian Maritime Industry and Technology

Traded mostly with Africa and the Near East (Asia)
Egypt Crete Cyprus Armenia Byzantine Empire

Types of ships
Galley
The main warship of the Venetian Navy Reliable, Fast, Manoeuvrable, Has oars for rowing Transported important cargo (spices, luxury goods, precious metals)

Round Ships (Nef/Nau)

Formed 60% of the merchant marine High, wide, completely dependent on sails Transported heavy cargo (wood, grains, oils) Sometimes used for fishing and obtaining supplies

Venetian Maritime Industry and Technology

Labor Force
During the height of the maritime industry the labor force in the ship building industry doubled Due to the need for labourers, even prisoners became workers to earn their freedom Jobs were open to all classes, but there was still hierarchy in terms of positions on ships
Debt slaves were at the bottom while the capitano and navigatores were on top

Venetian Maritime Industry and Technology

Patronage
Funded by the affluent and rich families, traders, and merchants of Venice Ownership of ships was passed down through families Communal ownership/operation of ships was also present in the latter part of the Renaissance State ownership was also a big factor with the state having these ships primarily for military reasons

Venetian Maritime Industry and Technology

Innovations
Navigation Structure and rigging of ships Professional sailors Communes
Ships travelling in a group for protection

Venice and its maritime industry during the Renaissance

Had the largest maritime fleet in all of Europe Already pervaded all aspects of Venetian urban society Politics
The necessary partnerships in trading business prompted the government to make laws against feuding among families Strict regulation of resources especially those needed in shipbuilding (Wood) The government heavily subsidized and patronized the shipping industry
Wine for the shipbuilders of the Arsenal
Allegations of graft and corruptions were present in the business of the maritime industry

Venice and its maritime industry during the Renaissance

Politics
Military Conquest
Venice used its vast navy to conquer many Italian city-states and the Byzantine Empire
Second Tuscan War

Used its military to ensure its economic dominance in maritime trade during that time
Conflict with the Ottoman Turks

Economics
Upper Classes
Most, if not all, were involved in funding the construction of ships and the innovations in maritime technology, Also paid for voyages of these ships

Lower and Middle Classes

Served on these ships as sailors Worked as dockworkers, shipbuilders

Venice and its maritime industry during the Renaissance

Economics
Galleon Trade
Controlled the European Spice Market
Through trade with the Byzantine Empire and Near East Merchants

Galleon Trade was so important it was regulated by the Venetian government

Controls over the leadership on voyages and the organization of the communes

Wealthy merchants had their stake in the welfare of the maritime industry
Most of these merchants owned the ships used in the voyage and earned most, if not all, their income through renting their ships Traders invested a lot of money for spaces in these voyages for their goods which was distributed to the rest of Europe

The wages of dockworkers and sailors mattered heavily on the state of the galleon trade

Venice and its maritime industry during the Renaissance

Economics
Shipbuilding industry
Venetian ships were not only patronized locally but also bought by other foreign entities such as the Ottomans and Iberian Kingdoms Able to produce about one ship a day Produced the ships for intra-urban transport The Arsenal was also a weapon producing facility which bolstered the Venetian Navy with the most advanced weaponry of that age

Supporting Industries
Banking
Developed due to the need of money management at the vast wealth centered in Venice

Raw Material Industries

Many industries were developed to supply Venice with its raw material needs especially timber

Services in Venice
Inns and taverns were frequently full with sailors and merchants from all over

Decline of the Venetian Empire

Politics
The increasing dominance of the Iberian Kingdoms, especially Spain, in Europe broke the political power Venice had over Italy
Froze trade Stabilized the political order between the oligarchic and courtly elite

Decline of the Venetian Empire

Economic
Palaces could not be finished due to economic crises Fluid Economy was born
The wealthy put their money into land and agricultural investments instead of the maritime industry Economy became more independent Venice did not go through the industrial revolution

Economy was refocused to the luxury market

Rich coveted these goods thus increasing the demand for them which was fulfilled by the craftsmen of Venice

Loss of trade routes

Ottoman empire conquered Venices holdings and took over much of the Mediterranean trade once held by Venice

Decline in the demand for Venetian ships