There's actually evidence that people who were wealthy in pre-Rennaissance Florence are still wealthy today [1]. And in US plantations, the technological innov

There's actually evidence that people who were wealthy in pre-Rennaissance Florence are still wealthy today [1]. And in US plantations, the technological innovation of the "Cotton Gin" allowed existing plantation owners to expand and increase the use of slaves. (I don't think these disprove your point, but there's a lot more going on with your specific examples than one would think) [1] https://www.vox.com/2016/5/18/11691818/barone-mocetti-florence https://www.vox.com/2016/5/18/11691818/barone-mocetti-floren...