Which of the Following Was NOT One of the Reasons

Which of the following was NOT one of the reasons that Italy emerged as the center of the early Renaissance?

A) The emergence of centralized states in Italy allowed for more extensive patronage of the arts.
B) Italy retained more contact with Roman traditions than did the rest of Europe.
C) Italy led the West by the 14th century in banking and trade.
D) Italy had closer contacts with foreign scholars, particularly those in late Byzantium.