Republic of Venice

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/republic-of-venice

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Republic of Venice built?Around the 5th century AD
2. What is the location?Northeastern Italy, built on over 100 small islands in a lagoon
3. What is the duration?Approximately 1,100 years (c. 421 AD – 1797 AD)
4. What made Venice a special city built on water?Venice was built on many islands in a lagoon. People drove wooden piles into the soft ground to create sturdy foundations, turning a marsh into a safe city.
5. How did Venice become a powerful trading empire?Venice's location between East and West let it trade spices, silks, and perfumes. Its merchants built a strong navy and used fast galleys to protect trade routes.

Republic: A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, typically with an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Maritime Republic: A city-state whose power, wealth, and influence were derived primarily from its control over sea trade and naval power.
Oligarchy: A form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people, often wealthy or elite individuals.
Doge: The chief magistrate and elected head of state of the Republic of Venice, serving for life but with limited powers.