Corsican Republic
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In November 1755, Pasquale Paoli proclaimed Corsica a sovereign nation, independent from the Republic of Genoa. He created the Corsican Constitution, which was the first constitution written under Enlightenment principles, including the first implementation of female suffrage, later revoked by the French when they took over the island in 1769. The republic created an administration, justice system, and founded an army. After a series of successful actions Paoli drove the Genoese from the whole island except for a few coastal towns. He then set to work to reorganize the government, introducing many reforms. He founded a university at Corte. He created a short-lived "Order of Saint-Devote" in 1757 in honor of the patron saint of the island, Saint Devota.[1]
Paoli's ideas of independence, democracy and liberty gained support from such philosophers as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Raynal, Mably [1]. The publication in 1766 of An Account of Corsica by James Boswell made Paoli famous all over Europe. Diplomatic recognition was extended to Corsica by the Bey of Tunis.[2] In 1767 Corsica took the island of Capraia from the Genoese, who, one year later, despairing of ever being able to subjugate Corsica again, with the Treaty of Versailles sold their rights over it to France.
French invaded Corsica the same year, and for one year Paoli's forces fought desperately for their new republic against the new invaders. However, in May 1769 he was defeated at the Battle of Ponte Novu by vastly superior forces under the Comte de Vaux, and obliged to take refuge in England.
[edit] References
- ^ Scales, Len; Oliver Zimmer (2005). Power and the Nation in European History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 289. ISBN 0521845807.
- ^ Thrasher, Peter Adam (1970). Pasquale Paoli: An Enlightened Hero 1725-1807. Archon Books, 117. ISBN 0208010319.
