Rise of Venetian Government

• The following are key events in the rise of the Venetian government, along with details regarding their relevance.

Early Independence and Expansion

• 697: Paolucci Angaseto was elected as the first Doge, enabling Venice to establish independence from the Byzantine Empire.
• 810: King Pippin, son of Charlemagne, launched a Frankish attack on Venice to bring it under Carolingian control; Venice's lagoon geography and diseases forced Pippin to retreat, assisting in Venice's independence and positioning as a strong maritime power.
• 866: Arabs attacked and sacked Comacchio, a trading center near Venice; this weakened Venice's trade rival, allowing Venice to grow stronger in the region.
• 1000: Doge Pietro II Orseolo defeated Narentine pirates and took control of Dalmatian towns, earning the title Dux Dalmaticorum, strengthening Venice’s power, securing trade routes, and marking its expansion in the Adriatic Sea.

Limiting Doge Power

• 1032: Two wealthy merchants from each side of the Great Canal were elected to serve as advisors to the Doge and impose restrictions on Doge power.
• 1143: Venice established the Consilium Sapiential, a council of senior advisors to the Doge, forming the city's political system and ensuring more stable governance.
• 1178: Venice formed the Council of Six Advisors to assist the Doge, limiting his power and involving more nobles in governance.
• 1220: Venice established the Quaranta, a council of forty judges, which handled civil and criminal cases, limited the Doge’s power, and became the foundation for future Venetian courts.
• 1255: The Pregadi, also known as the Senate, was formally established to manage foreign affairs, trade policies, and financial matters; it included 120 members chosen from the nobility, marking a step toward a more structured government and limiting the Doge's authority.

Trade and Military

• 1081: Venice launched attacks on the coast of Durazzo to defeat Normans, to protect trade routes.
• 1104: Venice established the Arsenal, a large shipyard, strengthening its military by enabling quick ship production, increasing the city's influence and creating jobs, enhancing trade, and contributing to Venice's wealth.
• 1122-1124: Doge Domenico Michele supported the Crusades, aiding Crusaders and strengthening ties with the Byzantine Empire and gaining privileges for Venetian merchants and trade.
• 1145-1153: Venice expanded its control over the Istrian Peninsula, becoming "Totius Istria Dominator,” securing key territories, strengthening its influence in the Adriatic, and consolidating its power.
• 1240: Venice gained control over the Po River region, an important waterway in northern Italy, strengthening trade routes for goods moving between northern Italy and the Adriatic, expanding Venice’s influence over nearby territories, and allowing access to secure vital supply lines while maintaining dominance over rival cities.
• 1255: Venice implemented its Maritime Codes, regulating trade, shipping, and sea conduct to protect merchants and strengthen Venice's power as a maritime empire.
• 1257: Venice erected the Pillars of Acre, symbolizing its dominance in the Crusader States, and signed its first treaty with Genoa to manage trade rivalries and tensions.
• 1261-1295: The Polo family, including Marco Polo, expanded Venetian influence in the Far East, establishing key trade routes with China and Central Asia, and significantly enhancing Venice's wealth and power.
• 1268: Venice established the Quarantana, a council of 40 members responsible for overseeing public finances and taxation, helping maintain the city's economic stability.
• 1284: Venice introduced the gold ducat, a coin that became a symbol of Venetian economic power, widely used in trade and remaining a key currency for centuries.
• 1329: Venice began auctioning its galleys to generate revenue and reduce state costs, allowing private merchants to use the ships for trade or military purposes.
• 1386: Venice occupied Corfu, securing control of the island to strengthen its position in the Ionian Sea and protect its trade routes.

Conflicts and Consolidation

• 1177: The Congress of Venice ended the conflict between the Pope and Emperor Frederick I, with Venice mediating a peace that recognized the Pope’s authority and Venice’s independence.
• 1201-1204: Venice, led by Doge Enrico Dandolo, played a key role in the Fourth Crusade by transporting crusaders to Constantinople, which they sacked in 1204, gaining “a quarter and a half” of the Byzantine Empire, including key trade ports, boosting its power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
• 1294-1299: Venice and Genoa fought their Second War over control of Mediterranean trade routes and influence, ending in a stalemate that marked a continued struggle for control over trade and naval supremacy.
• 1308-1313: Venice fought Ferrara for control of the Po River region, during which the Pope placed an interdict on Venice, suspending religious services, due to the city's opposition to the Papacy; the war ended with some Venetian territorial gains.
• 1310: The Tiepolo Conspiracy, an attempt to overthrow the Venetian government, was thwarted, leading to the creation of the Council of Ten to strengthen internal security and prevent future uprisings.
• 1339: Venice acquired Treviso, strengthening its control over the Venetian mainland and political power in northern Italy.
• 1350-1355: Venice fought the Third War with Genoa over control of Mediterranean trade routes, ending in a stalemate, but maintaining their positions.
• 1355: Doge Marino Faliero was executed for attempting to overthrow the Venetian government after being convicted of treason.
• 1358: Venice gained control of Dalmatia through the Treaty of Zadar after defeating Hungary, expanding its influence in Adriatic.
• 1378-1381: Venice won the War of Chioggia (Fourth War with Genoa), defeating Genoa and securing Venetian dominance in the Mediterranean.
• 1389-1420: Venice expanded control over the Veneto mainland, capturing cities like Verona and Vicenza.
• 1409-1420: Venice regained control of Dalmatia, expanding its power in the Adriatic.
• 1424-1430: Venice attempted to control Thessalonica, but it was captured by the Ottomans in 1430.
• 1425-1454: Venice was involved in a series of wars in Lombardy against various regional powers, including Milan, expanding its territory and influence in northern Italy and securing key cities and trade routes.

Social and Political Changes

• 1297: Venice restricted membership in the Maggior Consiglio to aristocratic families, reinforcing an oligarchic government and consolidating power within the Venetian elite.
• 1347-1348: The plague struck Venice, causing widespread death and social disruption, impacting its economy and trade, but Venice gradually recovered.
• 1423: Francesco Foscari was elected Doge of Venice, which lasted until 1457.