In the 15th Century, Italian cities were ruled independently. Some, like Venice and Florence, via a Republican Government and others, such as Milan and Naples, by noble families.
Milan was ruled by the Visconti family since 1227 and it was Gina Galeazzo Visconti, the first Duke of Milan who sought to unite Northern Italy into one Kingdom. The Sforza family succeeded the Visconti in 1447, remaining in power until the 16th century. Naples was ruled first by the Anjouans and subsequently by the Aragonese in the mid-15th century. Alfonz V of Aragon united Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples under one crown. During the reign of this family, between 1485 and 1487, occurred the conspiracy of barons.
Venice greatly expanded its territory to Northern Italy and assumed dominance in trade. However, by mid-15th century they became increasingly threatened by the Ottomans and by the end of the 15th century had abandoned some trade routes. Florence was one of the richest European cities of the 15th century. Although the city was ruled by the Republican government, the Medici family were heavily involved in the background.
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