History took a dramatic turn when Napoleon Bonaparte’s French forces invaded Malta in 1798. For centuries, the Knights of St. John had ruled Malta, establishing it as a stronghold in the Mediterranean. The knights became infamous during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. However, by the late 18th century, their power was weakening. Napoleon’s arrival marked the end of the Knights’ long rule and set the stage for a new era of foreign influence on the island.
Decline of the Knights’ Rule
By the late 1700s, the Knights of St. John were facing numerous challenges. Their once-stronghold was crumbling due to financial troubles, internal disputes, and the changing political landscape in Europe. The Knights had become less effective in defending the island, and Malta was struggling under their leadership. The French Revolution had already set the stage for greater French expansion, and Napoleon’s eyes turned to the strategically located island of Malta.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s French forces invaded Malta in 1798
In June 1798, Napoleon, who had already gained power in France, set sail with his forces for Egypt. On his way, he stopped in Malta to secure the island as a key base for his planned invasion of Egypt. At the time, the Knights were unable to defend the island effectively. Napoleon and his troops arrived with little resistance, and the French quickly seized control of Malta.
Napoleon offered the Knights a safe passage out of the island in exchange for their surrender. Most of the Knights agreed, marking the end of their centuries-long rule over Malta. The French took control of the island and declared it part of the French Empire.
The Short French Rule
Napoleon’s stay in Malta was short-lived. His forces faced immediate resistance from the local Maltese population, who resented French rule. The French implemented many unpopular reforms, including the seizure of property from the Church and the imposition of heavy taxes. The Maltese, along with British forces, began to organize opposition against the French.
British Intervention and the Aftermath
By 1800, the British had taken advantage of the unrest and intervened, helping the Maltese rise up against the French. After a siege, the French forces were forced to surrender. In the end, Malta became a British colony, marking the beginning of British rule that would last until 1964.
The French invasion of 1798 dramatically shifted Malta’s political landscape, ending the long era of the Knights and beginning a new chapter under British control. The brief period of French rule, though marked by turmoil, paved the way for Malta’s future as a significant naval base in the Mediterranean.