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1150
Italy grows as a major trading power
A commercial revival -
Period: 1300 to 1400
Balance of power principle between Italian City-States
Individual communes were formed by merchant guilds; nobles moved into cities, and they began dominating the populo - common people. They had little/no rights, and cities eventually became signori - cities ruled by a signori (some became placeholders for an oligarchic regime) -
1344
Florence becomes resilient
Despite the Black Death and bankruptcy of some bankers, Florence remained upright and prosperous -
Period: 1400 to 1500
Signori transform homes into courts
Magnificent palaces and celebration of the arts happened -
Period: 1434 to 1492
Medicis directly rule in Florence
Giovanni - banker and philanthopist
Cosimo - fled and returned, then led for 30 years
Piero - married Lorenzo into royalty
Lorenzo - the Pazzi Conspiracy had his brother assassinated, took the job quite seriously after -
Period: 1447 to 1535
Sforzas rule Milan
Harsh control over Milan