Italy's internal conflicts made it vulnerable to invasions by the Spanish, French, and Germans. In 1508, these powers, along with the pope and others, formed the League of Cambrai against Venice. Defeated at the Battle of Agnadello, Venice managed to avoid complete disaster thanks to discord within the League. But Venice lost major mainland territories.

Economically, Venice was in crisis. The Eastern market was gone, and new trade routes to the East diminished Venice's role as a trade hub. The city ceased to be a Mediterranean power and struggled as a European power, lacking access to the New World like Atlantic countries.

The Turks were a constant threat in the East. Venice engaged in several conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, trying to hold onto its left territories. The wars were costly and drained Venice’s resources.

Notable battles include the defeat at Préveza in 1538 and the victory at Lepanto in 1571. Despite these efforts, Venice lost Cyprus to the Turks in 1571, marking a strong blow to its power and prestige in the region.

In 1606, Venice faced a big political crisis when the Pope banned the city. It wasn't about religious differences but about the Pope's authority over Venice's politics. Paolo Sarpi defended Venice's right to govern itself against the Pope's claims.

From 1645 to 1669, Venice lost Crete, its last major eastern Mediterranean territory, to the Turks. Although Venice briefly regained control of the Morea (Peloponnese) and kept Dalmatia, these areas were eventually lost again. By 1718, Venice had stopped its activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

Losing Crete was very upsetting for Venice. Crete had been a crucial part of Venice’s empire, providing both important military advantages and huge economic benefits. The long and costly war with the Turks ended with the fall of Crete. This weakened Venice and made it hard to defend its left territories.

In the 18th century, Venice faced new challenges as it became isolated from the new ideas spreading across Europe. Attempts at reform by figures like Angelo Querini and Giorgio Pisani were limited by the ruling noble class.

The situation worsened with the French Revolution. Napoleon targeted Venice, removing the last doge, Ludovico Manin, in 1797. A brief democratic government replaced the republican rule, but Venice was soon handed over to Austria later that year.

In 1848, Daniele Manin led a short-lived provisional republican government. After Austria's defeat by Prussia in 1866, Venice became part of a united Italy.

Venice's Modern Growth and Transformation

When Venice joined unified Italy in 1866, it began to grow and transform. This growth was linked to its role in Italy's trade and its unique physical and aesthetic features. In 1846, Venice started to change with the construction of a long railway bridge connecting it to the mainland.

In 1932, they also built a new road for cars. People who preferred to keep the city unchanged opposed both changes. They managed to limit cars to the outskirts of the island. However, conflicts continued between those who wanted to preserve the city and those pushing for modern changes.

Political Shifts

 

After World War II, Venice was led by left-wing governments. These were later replaced by more moderate administrations in the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1960s, there was a lot of social unrest.

Students occupied the architecture school, and workers went on strike at Port Marghera. The 1968 film festival also saw large protests.

Later on, the city was governed by the Socialists. But, their plans for a world's fair in the mid-1980s faced opposition due to concerns about potential harm to Venice. Corruption scandals in the 1990s ended Socialist control, leading to the election of a reform-minded mayor, Massimo Cacciari. He aimed to update Venice while safeguarding its heritage but grappled with issues such as population decline and flooding.

Regionalist Politics

In the 1990s, Venice became a symbol of regionalist politics, particularly with the rise of the Northern League (Lega Nord). This collection of parties pushed for a federal structure for Italy and greater autonomy for the prosperous northern regions.

In 1996, Umberto Bossi, the leader of the Northern League, declared Venice as the capital of a new "Padanian" state.

Despite this, most voters in Venice preferred moderate politics. They kept the city largely center-left compared to the rest of the Veneto region.

Environmental Challenges

Venice has always dealt with environmental challenges. Managing and using its surroundings has been a constant struggle. In the latter half of the 20th century, pollution became a big issue. Old buildings and artworks suffered damage from air pollution, particularly sulfuric acid from factories and homes.

This caused significant wear and tear on stonework and artwork. Severe storms and floods in November 1966 prompted more efforts to shield the city from environmental harm. However, progress has been slow due to inefficiency, corruption, and political issues.

Venice has a long history of making things, from building boats and ships at the Arsenal to industrializing Port Marghera. However, these industrial activities have also added to its environmental challenges. If efforts to preserve Venice fail, it's hard to see how the city's decline can be stopped. Still, many people continue to fight to protect and cherish this unique and beautiful city.

Historical Decline

Venice's decline began in the 15th century. The city faced challenges from the Ottoman Empire during the Siege of Thessalonica (1422-1430). Venice also sent ships to defend Constantinople against the Turks in 1453. After Constantinople fell, Venice lost much of its eastern Mediterranean territories to the Ottomans.

The discovery of a sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1497-1499 also hurt Venice's control over trade. Venice's ships, built for the Mediterranean, weren't suited for long-ocean travel, which put the city at a disadvantage in the race for colonies.

The Black Death hit Venice hard in 1348 and struck again between 1575 and 1577, killing about 50,000 people. Another plague in 1630 claimed a third of the city's 150,000 residents. Venice's role as a major hub for international trade declined as Portugal became Europe's primary middleman in trade with the East.

France and Spain fought for dominance over Italy, further diminishing Venice's political influence. Despite these setbacks, Venice continued to export agricultural goods significantly. It remained a major manufacturing center until the mid-18th century.

Venice in Modern Times

Venice lost its independence when Napoleon Bonaparte took over the city on May 12, 1797. Napoleon was welcomed by Venice's Jewish community, who saw him as a liberator because he lifted restrictions on where they could live and travel. Venice then became part of Austria in 1798, was taken back by Napoleon in 1805, and returned to Austria in 1814. After a short rebellion in 1848, Venice joined the newly formed Kingdom of Italy in 1866.

During World War II, Venice was mostly spared from damage, although industrial areas in Mestre and Marghera were bombed. British and New Zealand soldiers freed the city on April 29, 1945. In 1987, Venice and its lagoon were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their cultural importance worldwide.

Venice's story goes from greatness to strength. Once a major Mediterranean power, it now stands as a UNESCO symbol of heritage, with a rich culture and strong spirit.