B2915thand16th

__**The growth of competition and interdependence in national and world markets The Balance of Power in Italian City States**__ By 1494, Italy was split into many city-states that represented great cultural and also wealth sophistication. These divisions caused economic competition among the city states. By the 15th century, there were five powers that dominated the Italian peninsula: Venice, Milan, Florence, the Papal States, and the kingdom of Naples. These city-states were governed by monarchs, who were power-hungry. This led to economic competition between the city states, also forming a balance of power. This meant that their alliances were constantly shifting to make sure that one state did not become too powerful. To protect this balance of powers, embassies and ambassadors were used. The city-states of Venice, Florence, Milan, and the papacy did possess great wealth; however their inability to form a common alliance made Italy an inviting target for invasion. McKay, John P. History of Western society. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.