Weekly Reflection #3

Viviana Rojas

October 27, 2015

Making the Mediterranean         

Weekly Reflection #3

This week’s reading focused on trade and the connection with the Ottoman Empire and Venice. As an American student I have always have stereotypes about European countries. When I think about Venice, I don’t think about trade, power, or even exporting and importing. When I hear the word Venice I automatically think water canals, love, romance, and gondolas how it’s constantly portrayed in movies.  However, in class we discussed what Venice really is and what it represented years ago. In Carboni’s reading the author explains the connection the venetians had with Constantinople. The Ottoman Empire played a crucial role in trade with the Europe’s gateway, Venice. In a way Muslims put aside their differences in order to better and develop their economy. In addition, we discussed in class the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the effects it had on trade. Genoa and Venice were practically ruling the world. Even though the Ottoman Empire was much bigger land wise, Venice and Genoa were more powerful than the Ottoman Empire. One trading point for Genoa was in Ottoman lands, they created colonies in the Ottoman Empire for trade where they would import and export goods. Venetians exported wines to Constantinople and were importing black pepper, spices, drugs, cotton, linens, silk, and other Eastern products. With money comes power and power can obtain privileges allowing Venice to be exempt from paying taxes.

Furthermore, In Fernand Braudel The Mediterranean the author explains the life of the Venetians. Wealth was a huge part of the daily life many were living a lavish, fancy, and crazy life. They were the envy and everyone wanted to be like them. Individuals began to live their life by “Serene Republic” which meant pursuit of good living. At this point the Mediterranean belong to Venice after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The interaction between Constantinople and Venice led to an economic development for both the Ottoman Empire the Venice. “Commerce with the Turks contributed considerably to the wealth of the state of Genoa.” Those individuals who were wealthy enough began purchasing land and made investments in Venice. The wealthy began to build all around the city making huge statements with homes and villas as a symbol of their power. Their wealth was extreme resulting in laws being created to monitor the amount of wealth one could expose and enjoy. Not all individuals who lived in Venice were wealthy and not all could afford to live a lavish lifestyle. Individuals who didn’t belong to that wealthy group were forced out of the city. Many were migrating to the country side in hopes of living a decent life. Finally, we cannot mention the Venetians and Constantinople without mentioning the Jews. The Jews play such a vital role in the economy for Venice. Since Jews were consider less they were not able to purchase land. However, they were allowed and were lending money to Venetians.  Jews were constantly being oppressed as less individuals and were forced to live in Jewish ghettos.

            Concluding this week’s reading I’ve made observations in Florence as well as Istanbul about items that have made an impact in the culture. In European lands coffee has assimilated into the culture. Coffee shops can be found in every corner from cappuccinos to hot chocolates. Many can’t go a day without their daily dose of coffee. Moreover, while my stay in Istanbul I noticed the European influences. For instance, the Grand Bazar has dedicated an entire section to carpets which was an early item that was traded during the 14tht and 15^th century.