Corsica

Corsica was a Mediterranean island long contested by Pisa and Genoa. Its later independence movement sought to end Genoese rule.

In 1755 Pasquale Paoli proclaimed a republic, while Genoa held only a few coastal towns. He established a constitution and army, founded a university at Corte and minted coins bearing the Moor's Head in 1761. Genoa transferred its claims to France in 1768, and French forces conquered the island in 1769. After a brief kingdom in union with Britain, French rule returned in 1796.