Ligurian Republic

Ligurian Republic Repubblica Ligure(Italian) Repubbrica Ligure(Ligurian)
1797–1805
Flag Coat of arms
Motto:Libertà, Eguaglianza(Italian) ( "Liberty, equality" )
Continental Italy in 1799
Status	Sister republicofFrance
Capital	Genoa
Common languages	Italian,Ligurian
Government	Directorial republic(first Constitution) Presidential Republic(since 1802)
Doge
• 1802–1805	Girolamo Luigi Durazzo
Legislature	Legislative Council Since 1800: National Council Senate
•Upper house	Council of Seniors
•Lower house	Council of Sixty
Historical era	Napoleonic Wars
•Invaded by France	14 June 1797
•Annexed by France	4 June 1805
Currency	Genoan pound
Preceded by Succeeded by Republic of Genoa First French Empire
Today part of	Italy ∟Liguria

TheLigurian Republic(Italian:Repubblica Ligure,Ligurian:Repubbrica Ligure,French:République ligure) orRepublic of Liguriawas aFrench client republicformed byNapoleonon 14 June 1797. It consisted of the oldRepublic of Genoa,which covered most of theLigurianregion of NorthwestItaly,and the smallImperialfiefsowned by theHouse of Savoyinside its territory. Its first Constitution was promulgated on 22 December 1797, establishing adirectorialrepublic.The directory was deposed on 7 December 1799 and the executive was temporarily replaced by a commission.In 1802, a doge was nominated for a 5-year term, according to the second Constitution imposed by Napoleon, and aSenatewas established.

The Republic was briefly occupied byAustrianforces in 1800, but Napoleon soon returned with an army and retook it. A new Constitution was published in 1802, establishing institutions more similar to those of the previous Genoese Republic, with aDogewho was president of a Senate. The Ligurian Republic used the traditional Genoese flag, consisting of a red cross on a white background.

In June 1805, the territory was annexed by theFirst French Empire.

History

After conflict was sparked in May 1797 between Genoese inhabitants regarding their wealthy rulers,Napoleontook Genoa and established his own order. The French engaged in a mass robbery of Genoa, leaving the people and their land in a ruinous state. Napoleon announced the founding of the Ligurian Republic on 6 June 1797. The people's cooperation under Napoleon's domain was undoubtedly brought on in part by Archbishop Giovanni Lercari, who showed his support of the French only three days later. A Ligurian constitution was crafted, which was unprogressive and meant only as a temporary document. That December, the constitution's replacement emerged. A large majority approved the constitution byplebiscite.

In June 1798, the rulers of the Ligurian Republic led the people into war against theKingdom of Piedmont-Sardiniaafter exiles attempted to form an uprising. The French eventually intervened in the war, resulting in the French occupation of Piedmont.

In 1800, the Ligurian Republic wasbesiegedby theAustrian armyandBritish fleet.An estimated 30,000 casualties resulted from the conflicts, and theFrench armyhad to be relied on for economic restoration. Eventually, the Ligurian leaders placed themselves at the feet of Napoleon, asking that he take direct control. He accepted.

In June 1805, the area was directly annexed by France as thedepartementsof theApennins,GênesandMontenotte.After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, the republic was briefly restored between 28 April and 28 July. Following theCongress of Vienna,it was awarded to Piedmont-Sardinia and annexed on 3 January 1815. Its territories formed the newDuchy of Genoawithin theSavoyard state.