Italian City-States and the Signoria of Florence

The class period is spent doing a role-playing scenario to allow the students to step into the shoes of the merchants of Italy.

Break up students into pre-assigned groups representing the 8 major and minor guilds of the Signoria. Give an information page/materials for their group’s merchant guild. The information consists of what they sell, what policies or laws they want to vote for or against, and what they can use to bribe others with (monopoly money or plastic gold coins). The teacher acts as the Gonfaloniere of Justice (mediates class discussion and breaks ties). Since this is somewhat chaotic (to match the real singoria), a timer will be displayed. 15 minutes will go to set up time. 5 minutes for bribing and talking one-on-one to others. Each group will get 1 minute each for a formal persuasive argument on a policy to be voted, and about 5-10 minutes on the actual voting.

After the first activity, ask each guild to come up with a policy for their school. The students then will vote on the 8-9 policies. Example policy: Cell phones should be allowed at lunchtime.

The rules are slightly different this time. Each student is given a slip of paper to write down his or her vote, and can only vote for one policy.

Materials needed

Along with the listed above, you can provide a treat of candy to those who are successful with passing their "law." It is also important to provide packets to each with information on their merchant guild and laws.