The Republic of Genoa is famous not only for its trade relations. It is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. What is known about this city-state?
Foundation
By the eleventh century, a self-governing commune emerged on the lands of the Italian kingdom. Over time, it will become the Republic of Genoa. Already at the beginning of its existence, the commune was an important trading center. She was a serious competitor to Venice.
During the Crusades, Genoa began to expand its territories. To "save the Holy Sepulcher" she provided her ships. Thanks to this, Genoa was able to develop active trade in the Middle East.
Achievements of the Republic of Genoa in the Middle Ages:
- thanks to the alliance with the Empire of Nicaea, she was able to freely trade on the lands of the Byzantine Empire;
- captured islands in the Aegean Sea, such as the island of Chios;
- control of many Crimean settlements;
- expanding trade interests in the Black and Azov Seas;
- victory over Pisa in 1284 and getting Corsica;
- Introduction into the Sicilian economy thanks to the alliance with Aragon.
The Republic's rise was short-lived.
Sunset period
In the fourteenth century, the Republic of Genoa was at war with Venice. After the defeat at Kyojo, she began a period of decline.
Superiority in the Aegean was weakened by the Ottoman Empire, which was gaining power. Genoa was only able to trade in the Black Sea.
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the republic fell into decay. The reason for this was the prolonged occupation by France. In 1522, the Spaniards captured and plundered Genoa.
Hopes for the revival of the Republic of Genoa were associated with Admiral Andrea Doria. To gain independence, he went to an alliance with Charles the Fifth.
Rebirth
Genoa has become a junior ally of Spain. From this began its revival. Republican bankers financed Spanish enterprises. In the years 1557-1627, bankers-financiers from Genoa concentrated incredible we alth in their hands.
Genoese bankers developed their power under Philip II. Since 1557, the dominance of the German banking house of the Fuggers in the financial life of Spain has ceased. The Genoese provided the Habsburgs with a reliable and constant income. Where did Genoa get the funds for its financial activities?
Everything happened due to the supply of American silver and gold, which went through Seville to the Republic.
However, the situation for Genoa began to deteriorate by the seventeenth century. This was due to the decline of Spain and frequentbankruptcies of the Spanish monarchs. Genoese banking houses began to fail.
Decision of the Congress of Vienna
The decline did not stop in the eighteenth century. The Republic even had to sell Corsica. France took over the island. Despite this, the Republic of Genoa, whose democracy was maintained through the work of elected doges and merchant oligarchy, remained an important center of trade.
Gradually, Genoa lost all its islands in the Mediterranean. The last colony was captured by Tunisia in 1742. Two decades later it was occupied by Napoleonic troops. Bonaparte personally overthrew the city's elite and made its territory part of the Ligurian Republic.
When Napoleon was defeated, Genoa hoped to be reborn. The local elite made a statement, but it was not enough.
In 1814-1815 the Congress of Vienna took place. It was decided that the territory of Genoa would go to the Kingdom of Sardinia. The British army helped to crush the resistance of the Genoese and carry out the decision of the Congress.
Colonies
Before considering all the possessions of the trading city, you should find out where the Republic of Genoa was located. It was located in the northwestern part of the coast of the Apennine Peninsula.
Its colonies were located on the islands and along the shores of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black, Marmara, Azov Seas. Some of them are located on the territory of modern Russia and Ukraine.
The most famous colonies of Genoa:
- Corsica;
- Tabarka;
- Cyprus;
- Monaco;
- Galata - the modern district of Istanbul;
- Kaffa;
- Y alta;
- Cembalo (Balaklava);
- Alushta;
- Tana is a city of modern Rostov region;
- Mavrolako - modern Gelendzhik;
- Liyash - modern Adler.
Due to the large number of overseas possessions, the republic was often called an empire. She used the occupied territories as trading posts.
