Geography and History (The Renaissance: Florence and Venice) - Text Based Response Questions

Background:

Even though the cultural, spiritual and philosophical movement known as The Renaissance officially got its start in the City-State of Florence Italy, the City-State of Venice played a crucial role in the diffusion/discrimination (spread) of Renaissance culture and ideas.   

Directions:

Read the Geography and History text that compares and contrasts Florence and Venice (a digital copy of this has been attached to this post) and answer the focus questions in the text entry box.  The text entry box will appear when you tap the Submit Assignment button. Remember to copy and paste the questions into the text-entry box before you answer them and in order to get full points your answers must be in complete sentences.

Questions:

1. Which of these two cities did the Renaissance officially start and where in the text above is that claim supported?

2. Why did Lorenzo de Medici have a great deal of money to spend on artistic projects?

3. According to the text above, aside from art and architectural projects, what else did the Medici family spend their money on and how would their spending money on this type of project help to encourage new learning?

4. Where is the city of Venice located and how did its location help it to become wealthy?

5. Name one way that Florence and Venice are alike and two ways in which they are different.

6. If the Renaissance is a “rebirth” of knowledge and learning by a renewed interest in ancient cultures, like Greece and Rome, why would Venice be considered a very important city-state during the Renaissance era?

Digital copy of text:

Florence and Venice Compare and Contrast Worksheet.pdf