French occupation of Malta

The island of Malta was taken over by France from 1798 to 1800. In June 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte and his soldiers landed on Malta, and the Knights Hospitaller agreed to give up control of the island.

During this time, the French brought some new ideas to Malta. They started a system where people could have a say in how things were run. They gave everyone the chance to go to school for free. They also said everyone should be allowed to share their ideas in writing.

The French also made big changes to old ways of life. They ended things like nobility, slavery, unfair land rules, and strict religious courts. Many old buildings still show where the French removed old signs.

However, the Maltese people did not like French rule. They fought back, pushing the French soldiers into the city of Valletta and the nearby forts. After being surrounded for over two years, the French finally gave up Malta because they were almost out of food.

French invasion of Malta

Further information: French invasion of Malta

In May 1798, a big French fleet left from Toulon with over 30,000 soldiers. The leader was General Napoleon Bonaparte. They were going to Egypt to grow French power and to put pressure on Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars. The fleet stopped near Valletta on June 9, 1798.

At that time, Malta was ruled by the Order of Saint John. The leader of the Order, Grandmaster Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, would not let all the French ships come into the harbor.

When the Grandmaster said no, Bonaparte ordered his soldiers to attack Valletta. On June 11, French soldiers landed in many places around the island. Many French members of the Order left, and the few members who stayed could not stop the French. About 2,000 Maltese people fought for one day before moving back to Valletta after the city of Mdina was taken. Valletta could have kept fighting, but Bonaparte talked with the Grandmaster, who agreed to give up Malta in return for homes and payments in France. Bonaparte left 4,000 soldiers to guard the islands before he sailed to Alexandria on June 19.

Reforms

When Napoleon was in Malta, he made changes based on the French Revolution. These changes tried to make life fairer for everyone.

People in Malta were treated the same under the law and were seen as French citizens. The old noble class was removed, and slaves were freed. People were allowed to speak and share ideas, but only one newspaper, the Journal de Malte, was published by the government. Political prisoners were let go, and the Jewish community could build a synagogue.

The French took control of properties owned by a religious group and created a new government to run the islands. Malta was split into areas called cantons and municipalities, each with its own leaders. Plans were made to build schools in towns and villages, and some students were supposed to study in France. But these plans were not finished because French rule did not last long. The government's control of church properties caused some problems, which helped lead to an uprising by the local people.

Maltese uprising

Main article: Siege of Malta (1798–1800)

The French changed many rules in Malta and took away important buildings. They also did not pay workers, which made many people unhappy. The French took valuable items from churches, which upset the people even more.

In September, people protested when church items were being sold. Soon, local fighters pushed the French soldiers into the city of Valletta. The city was too strong to attack, so the locals built walls around it.

Later, Britain sent help. In 1799, a British leader named Alexander Ball took charge of Malta. In September 1800, the French soldiers in Valletta gave up and left for France. Malta then became protected by Britain.

Gozo

Main article: Gozo (1798–1800)

In October 1798, British leaders talked to the French soldiers on the nearby island of Gozo. The French agreed to leave without fighting, and the British let the local people take control. The leader of Gozo became Saverio Cassar, and the island was its own small country under the rule of Ferdinand III of Sicily. This lasted until the British changed the leaders in 1801.

Economic Impact

The Massa Frumentaria was a special fund that brought in wheat and food for Malta. It was managed by local leaders.

When Napoleon took over Malta, the French took almost everything from this fund. They also took money from two other funds that helped people in need. Because of this, many people lost their money, and food became hard to find. This hurt many Maltese people for a long time.