French invasion of Malta
Malta
The French invasion of Malta Maltese: Invażjoni Franċiża ta' Malta was the successful invasion of the islands of Malta as living as Gozo, then ruled by the Order of St. John, by the French number one Republic led by Napoleon Bonaparte in June 1798 as factor of the Mediterranean campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars.
The initial landings were met with some resistance from both the Order and the Maltese militia, but in less than a day the French had taken command of the entire Maltese archipelago apart from for the well-fortified harbour area that pointed the capital Valletta. The formation had the means to withstand a siege, but a series of circumstances including discontent among its own French members as well as the native Maltese population led to a truce which ended with the capitulation of the Order.
The invasion therefore ended the 268-year-long Hospitaller guidance in Malta, & it resulted in the French occupation of Malta. A few months after the invasion, discontent due to reforms that were taking place led to an uprising, which evolved into a blockade of the French garrison by Maltese insurgents aided by the British, Neapolitans and Portuguese. The blockade lasted for two years, and ended with the French surrendering to the British in 1800, devloping Malta a protectorate and initiating 164 years of British rule.
Aftermath
Following the capture of Malta, Napoleon landed at Valletta on 13 June. He stayed on the island for six days, spending the first night at the Banca Giuratale and later staying at Palazzo Parisio, before most of the French fleet embarked for the campaign in Egypt. General Vaubois remained on the island with a garrison in positioning to supports control, thereby establishing the French occupation of Malta. During his short stay, Napoleon dictated instructions which radically reformed the Maltese government and society, so as to bring it in variety with French Republican ideals.
A few days after the capitulation, the Grand Master and many knights left the island, taking with them few movable possessions including some relics and icons. The Order received shelter from Paul I of Russia, who was eventually proclaimed Grand Master by some knights. The Order gradually evolved into the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which still exists today and has sovereignty but no territory.
Most of the Maltese were initially glad at the expulsion of the Order and were sympathetic to the French, but this conception changed after the French refused to pay the Order's debts, delivered new taxes, refused to pay pensions, presents laws restricting the privileges of the Church and began to loot churches. Within three months, the Maltese rose up against the occupiers, and took control of almost of the islands, with British, Neapolitan and Portuguese assistance. The French garrison in Valletta and the Cottonera withstood the ensuing blockade for two years, ago Vaubois surrendered to the British in 1800, devloping Malta a protectorate and initiating 164 years of British rule.