Malta and the French revoluition and "la petite expedition" in 1789
Malta and the French revolution and "la petite expedition" in 1789

Summary/Abstract: Between the Order of Saint John and France had always a very extensive system of relations, but after the outbreak of the French Revolution these relations deteriorated. The Order suffered significant territorial and financial losses due to the revolutionary wars. Several French noblemen amigrated and arrived to Malta where the revolutionary ideas spread rapidly among the Order's knights. After the incident of Varennes and the execution of the King, Malta got into the scope of the French foreign policy more dinamically. The French wanted to take possession of Malta, because they knew that the Maltese islands had considerable strategic and commercial advantages in the Maditerranean area. The Directory was afraid of Napoleon's growing popularity and his ambitions for power. Because of these fears the Directors permitted the starting of the Eastern campaign together with the occupation of Malta.

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