What made the government of Florence in the fourteenth century unique?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

What made the system of the Signoria unusual was that it was not a feudal or monarchical system dependent on hereditary nobility. They referred to themselves as a Republican government based on a rotating membership participating in ruling as a council, headed by a Signoria. In fact, it was more like an oligarchy of ancient Athens, with the leadership vested in the hands of the wealthy and powerful. The base organization was the guild system within Florence, but the less prestigious and less wealthy guilds, such as those by small businessmen, artisans or unskilled workers did not participate. The wealthy guilds and their patrons dominated the political world, but the appearance of a democratic participation through rotating leadership every two months is, on the face of it, significantly different than the traditional feudal leadership by a king or nobleman. However, during the Ciompi Revolt of 1378, the lower ranked guilds rose up in rebellion, occupied the Palace of the Signoria and demanded lower taxes, the right of the Ciompi (wool carders) to form their own guild, and participation in the city councils. They succeeded for a brief period of time, although the Ciompi were forced out only a month later. The lesser guilds remained in participation of the Signoria for four years before it returned to domination by the Oligarchs.