AP+2014+16th+century+Cyprus+and+Venice

Aim- Gracie

In the 16th century Venice did not want to give up their control over Cyprus. However, the Ottoman Empire wanted to expand and both sides wanted this land because the island possessed many functions that each side wanted, such as copper and sugar production, "so much that the name of island meant copper" (Arbel 1). Cyprus gave a great economical boost to whoever controlled it, which is why these groups wanted the island. The invasion of Cyprus started with the Ottoman Empire surrounding its borders. Lala Mustafa Pasha, the leader of Ottoman Empire, lead a massacre of 20,000 inhabitants. The Ottomans were extremely focused on their goal. Once Venetians heard about the fall of Cyprus then they assembled a fleet and headed to the island. The Ottomans were becoming very aggressive with their objective to conquer and it was threatening many other European countries.

Arbel, Benjamin. "Other Links." Cyprus, The Franks and Venice, 13th–16th Centuries by Benjamin Arbel. Tel Aviv, July 2000. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

Rodgerson, B. "Cyprus History: Ottoman Period." Cyprus History: Ottoman Period. Cadogan Books, 1994. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.

Audience- Jenna

In the mid-16th century, Venice, Cyprus and the Ottoman Empire were the areas being most influenced and thus became the main audience during this time. The Ottoman Empire was self-sufficient in minerals, land and food. It’s people were mainly of Turkish descent and the Ottomans relied on the archbishop of Cyprus to bring order and collect taxes. “...the loss of Cyprus in 1571, rich in grain and and wine,...proved a turning-point in its history” (Woodward). On the verge of war and revolts, the residents of these areas rebelled as well. The leaders of Cyprus’s decisions and their rebellions led to major destruction and more problems among the people of Venice and Cyprus. The fall of the Ottoman Empire allowed for changes to be made in these places to benefit its citizens, instead of oppressing them.

Works Cited: Woodward, Geoffrey. “The Ottomans in Europe.” HistoryToday. Web. 4 January 2012. "Countries and Their Cultures." Cypriots - History and Cultural Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.

Cultural-Alexis

Both Cyprus and Venice during the 16th centuries were cultural hotspots during the Renisance period. Venice was known as the city of, “luxury and culture” (Jackson). However, during the early part of the 16th century, Venice started to experience a long and gradual period of decline. But, “it no way diminshed the artistic brilliance of the city” (History of Venice). The island of Cyprus (located near Turkey), was an island of great importance to the Venetians. Originally, both the Greeks and the Turks immigrated to Cyprus. The Venitians soon conquored this island, and added it as a Venitian Colony. However, the authority over the colony, soon inspired “armed tax-revolts” which, “united both Greek and Turk against an especially avaricious governor” (Ottoman Conquest of the Island Cyprus). Cyprus was the key element in tying the conflict between the Venitian society, and the rest of the modern world.

Works Cited: "HISTORY OF VENICE." HISTORY OF VENICE. History World, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. Jackson, Gabriele Bernhard. "Background for Shakespeare's Othello (Professor Jackson)." Background for Shakespeare's Othello. Web. 10 Feb. 2014. "Cyprus History: Ottoman Period." Cyprus History: Ottoman Period. Cyprus, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

Historical - Abbie



During the 16th century, the war of Cyprus or the Ottoman-Venetian War was fought between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. “ The war broke out when the Ottomans under Sultan Selim II invaded the Venetian-held island of Cyprus” (Ottoman-Venetian).  Venice had a particular motive when they took control of Cyprus. “The Venetian desire for Cyprus was inspired purely by profit. The Venetians saw Cyprus primarily as a military base” (A Brief History). The Venetians used Cyprus as a place of defense as well as trade. “By strengthening its fortresses and doubling the size of its fleet, it enjoyed rising profits from trade at least until the 1570s” (Woodward). They tried to avoid conflict with the Ottoman Empire, but eventually lost Cyprus to them. Their loss of Cyprus proved to be a defining event in the future of Venice.

Works Cited:

“A Brief History of Cyprus - Venetian Period 1489-1571)”. Whatson-Northcyprus. Web. 11 Feb.

2014

“Ottoman-Venetian War”. History Wars Weapons. 28 Dec. 2008. Web. 11 Feb. 2013.

Woodward, Geoffrey. “The Ottomans in Europe.” HistoryToday. Web. 4 January 2012.