Genoa: Difference between revisions

|local_name=Repúbrica de Zêna

|flag=RTL_Flag_of_Genoa.png

|capital= Genoa

|population= 1.7 Million

}}

 

 

== History ==

Throughout its history, the republic established numerous colonies worldwide. The first colonies were established in Europe during the 15th to 16th centuries, specifically on the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Some of them had been founded directly under the patronage of the republican government to support the economy of the local merchants. In contrast, others were feudal possessions of Genoese nobles or had been founded by powerful private institutions. In 1542, Tabarka was awarded to Genoa by the Ottoman Bey of Tunis as a concession to the Genoese Lomellini family after helping capture a Turkish pirate. Since the 16th century, Genoa had continued good relations with the [[Ottoman Empire]], eventually gaining full trading rights in Tunisia.

 

The 18th century saw Genoa's influence and territory extend outside of the Mediterranean. In 1757, they formally gained Panama from Spain. The settlement of Panamá was initially established by the Spanish in 1519 on the Pacific Coast. Although administered by the Spanish, Genoese merchants were able to dominate the trade in the city due to generous concessions made by the Spaniards (who had the Genoese Republic as an ally and their main banking base).

 

==== The Panama Canal ====

Since the mid-19th century, the governments of Colombia, Mexico, and Genoa had plans of a joint-effort canal project in the Isthmus of Panamá. Enthusiasm for the planned canal came from the need to escape the trade embargoes imposed upon the Latin American countries by the [[Netherlands|Kingdom of the Netherlands]] and [[New Netherland]], as well as the need for a shorter route from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The project had used Genoa (through Panama) as the banking base for its financial aspects, and had a several engineers from Genoa involved. At the same time, the Dutch nations were building a separate canal in [[Boschland]], Central America. However, the Panama Canal was completed a few months before the Dutch canal was.

 

=== 20th century history ===

The Genoese Pacific colonies were also affected by the Genoese economic turmoil. After Genoa was unable to supply them with basic goods and services, a humanitarian crisis erupted in the Pacific. The Colombian government used this as justification to occupy the islands in order to save them from collapse. The Colombian occupation was condemned by Chiossone's government. Furthermore, the economy was made worse by the Colombian government's acquisition of Genoese investors' shares in the Panama Canal. By 1958, the city-state of Panama has become a de facto puppet state of Colombia, with Genoa unable to effectively control the city.