Gozo (1798–1800)

The state Gozo ( mlt.: Stats Għawdex ) was a very short-lived independent state that existed at the end of the 18th century on the Mediterranean island of Gozo.

Historical Development

Prehistory

Since about 1525 ruled on the Maltese Islands, the Maltese. Your various Grandmaster resided initially in Birgu and then in Valletta on the main island. Through clever political moves they led the country into an unprecedented prosperity. After the victory against the Turks in 1565 the Knights had moved its seat of government in the magnificent Grand Master's Palace in the new capital Valletta.

The military defense force of the Order came to the end of the 18th century against the armies of Europe behind. The victorious successfully endured 1 Large Maltese siege was already back more than two centuries. As Napoleon Bonaparte the island in June 1798 I was at with his troops, after a short siege, it was him, therefore, possible to take Malta without significant acts of war. However, the circumstances of the surrender took place in this context, the Order of Malta are not fully resolve. Thus the rule of the Grand Master had ended.

Independence

However, the Gozitan contributed significantly more resistance to the invaders. In September 1798 came to Gozo for popular uprising against the occupiers, during which the French troops were imprisoned in the citadel of the capital Rabat Għawdex Ir. After negotiations by Alexander Ball and on the basis of food and drinking water shortages, the 217 French soldiers voted on 28 October, finally, to without a fight result and the island to overwrite the British - with all fortifications, 24 cannons, a large supply of ammunition and 3200 sacks of flour. Formally brought Ferdinand I of Sicily claim to the archipelago, but did not try to enforce this. First action of the new political leadership was the issuance of captured food to the population. A day later they officially declared its independence as a separate state.

On September 4, 1800, the French garrison capitulated in Valletta before the British, who presented on the same day the entire island group under its protection and thus de facto annexed. Also Gozo stood henceforth, until the independence of Malta on 21 September 1964 under British rule.

Economy and Politics

Although Gozo was just barely two years regardless, this period capture the freedom handed out, however, to build a reasonably prosperous economy. Due to the mild climate, intensive agriculture was operated, their products in Malta and Sicily were very popular. In addition, it allowed the French under the solemn promise not to again attack the small island nation, their warships lying in the harbor of Mgarr anchor and leave to overhaul. In return large amounts of money were sent to the capital on a monthly basis.

In the political field the Gozitan were less successful and failed to establish a stable government. Although a transitional Prime Minister has been used for three months, but basically, the state was in the 23 months of its existence without political leadership. Official Head of State was Archpriest Francesco Saverio Cassar of the Matrice and Collegiate Church, working with a staff of British and Maltese leaders. His first order of business on 29 October 1798 the demand for the creation of a separate diocese on the island. This wish was fulfilled in 1864 with the creation of the Diocese of Gozo.