Question

How did trade with the Venetians contribute to the fall of the Byzantine Empire?

A. Increased cultural exchange strengthened the empire.
B. Economic benefits boosted the Byzantine economy.
C. Military alliances protected the empire.
D. Venetians introduced diseases that weakened the Byzantine population.

Answer 1

The trade with the Venetians contributed to the fall of the Byzantine Empire by causing a decline in the economy due to the loss of control over trade routes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The trade with the Venetians contributed to the fall of the Byzantine Empire in several ways. One of the main reasons was the decline of the Byzantine economy. As direct trade between Christian West and the Islamic world increased, the economic position of the Byzantine Empire as an intermediary began to decline. The Venetians, along with other Islamic and Italian navies, began to dominate trade in the Mediterranean, which led to the loss of control of their overseas territories and a decrease in trade and revenue for the Byzantines.