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

16th Century Cyprus and Venice: Aim Sara Beaulieu (Ottoman-Venetian War) During the sixteenth century, Venice wanted to maintain control of Cyprus but the Ottoman Empire was looking to expand their territory. This was such a desirable area for both groups because, "aside from its location, which allowed the control of the Levantine trade, the island possessed a profitable production of cotton and sugar"("Ottoman Cypress"). Cyprus was the ideal area for any group of people that wanted to succeed economically, which is why the Venetians wanted to maintain control of it and the Ottoman's wanted to gain control of it. The Ottoman Empire had already gained control of the borders surrounding Cyprus and they wanted to continue expanding so they brutally invaded. The Ottoman's were extremely focused on expanding their power and they were willing to go to any means necessary to reach their goal: "European powers, long worried about the increasing aggressiveness of the Ottomans...resolved to bring the Ottoman Empire's expansion under control" ("Ottoman Empire"). This Ottoman Empire was focusing so much on "expansion" that their "aggression" was "increasing," so much so that many other were becoming "worried", which means that the Ottoman's were a serious threat capable of doing damage to get Cyprus. Works Cited “Ottoman Cyprus.” en.//wikipedia.org.// Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2012.

"Ottoman Empire." // World History: The Modern Era //. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 5 Jan. 2012. 16th Century Cyprus and Venice- Historical Luke Stangl

Venice had control of Cyprus during the 16th Century until the Ottoman Empire took over Cyprus. Cyprus was “rich in grain and wine” (Woodward) and was a valuable asset to Venice. The Ottoman Empire “had disrupted trade, but for most of the sixteenth century Venice… avoided armed conflict” (Woodward). In 1571, Venice eventually lost Cyprus to the Ottoman Empire. The Venetians were trying to avoid conflict with the Ottomans, but it was unavoidable. The Venetians were over matched. Even with the help of the //stradioti//, which were “mounted troops of Albanian and Greek origin who initially entered Venetian military service during the Republic's wars with the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century” (Pappas), the Venetians could not compete with the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans took over Cyprus and Venice lost a valuable asset.

Works Cited Pappas, Nicholas C.J. “//Stradioti//: Balkan Mercenaries in Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Italy.” Web. 4 January 2012. Woodward, Geoffrey. “The Ottomans in Europe.” //History////Today//. Web. 4 January 2012.

16th Century Cyprus and Venice: Cultural

Samantha Schuster



Both Venice and Cyprus were influential settings that affected the people of Italy in the 16th century. During this time period, Venice was not only known for its luxury, but was also “famous for its judicial system” (Jackson). Venice was known for being orderly and ruled in a strict government. This allowed for more uniformity to be upheld in the city, regardless of any discrimination that may have existed. While Venice was the classically structured city, Cyprus was a needed island for the Venetians. It was used to, “capitalize on the trade routes and enacted many laws, taxes and controls upon trade to ensure profitability” (Sheridan). It was easily accessible, which allowed for economic growth. In fact, there were members of the Venetian society that thought that it was completely necessary for their survival. After the Ottomans conquered the land in 1571, tensions rose and there was a lasting effort at regaining the control (Jackson).

Works Cited Jackson, Gabriele Bernhard. "Background for Shakespeare's Othello (Professor Jackson)." //Background for Shakespeare's Othello//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012.

Sheridan, Gregory. "Study Tools." //The Expansion of Venice//. Britain in Print. Web. 05 Jan. 2012.

16th Century Cyprus and Venice- Audience Brandon Prost

Venice and Cyprus on the brink of conflict and possibly war during the 16th century from the Ottoman Empire waging its expansion across the land towards Venice. Trying to stay neutral and out of harms way was nervous upon this expansion coming closer. With Venice “for most of the sixteenth century Venice itself avoided armed conflict…it enjoyed rising profits from trade at least until the 1570s. However, the loss of Cyprus in 1571…proved a turning-point in its history.” (Woodward). With resources being invested in the protection of Cyprus at the time the Venetian profits decreased and affected their accustomed life style. From “enjoying rising profits” to this lose being their “turning point in its history”. The audience affected being the Venetians, the Ottoman Empire, and Cyrpus within the 16th Century. With Venice now lacking its one plentiful resource and profits calls in “companies of //stradioti// were brought to Italy…and served in Venice's armed conflicts” (Pappas). Reaching out in desperation to cling to the once since of power with this seemingly superior force expanding into their territory changing their life. Showing that both sides of the audience. With the Venetians having a sense of lose, and depletion from the Ottoman Empire expanding on to lands they rely on for profiteering. Then the Ottoman Empire flourishing, and growing from this expansion having a sense of good times with the taking over Cyprus as one more location, with luscious resources that could be used. With Cyprus lastly being stuck in between, with losing the control of Venetians over them, and still have a sense of connection with the Venetians, however are now being controlled literally by the Ottoman Empire. Proving this a time of loss, gain, and conflict depending on which side of Cyprus and Venice a person is on.

Works Citied Pappas, Nicholas C.J. “//Stradioti//: Balkan Mercenaries in Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Italy.” Web. 4 January 2012.

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