Political Development 1813-49 Flashcards
Why did Malta’s economy suffer after 1813?
- End of the continental system
- The plague outbreak
- Post-Napoleonic depression
What did the Maltese ask repeatedly to the British.
The Maltese asked for representation in local government affairs, in the form of a consiglio popolare.
Who was Thomas Maitland?
Thomas Maitland was the first Civil Commissioner and Commander in Chief of Malta. He ruled from 1813 to 1824. He controlled civil and military affairs. AKA ‘King Tom’ because he of his benevolent despotism.
Talk about the Plague Administration before Maitland.
The plague reached Malta in March 1813.
People were to remain home, Mass suspended, shops closed, public gatherings prohibited.
Valletta divided into districts, cordon around main cities.
QUARANTINE, but people disregarded rules.
Talk about Plague Administration after Maitland.
After his appointment in October, he ordered the burning of contaminated objects and told Bishop to tell people that disobeying rules was a mortal sin. Early 1814, last cases were reported.
4% of Malta’s population died. Economic depression, low commerce, low agricultural produce.
How did Maitland reorganize the government?
He appointed Englishmen in the highest positions in government. British civil servants received higher salaries and a police corps was set up in 1814.
He set up court trials, brought the idea of innocent until proven guilty, abolished torture, and ordered English to be a prerequisite to work in courts.
He never set up a consiglio popolare, he abolished the old Università and the committee of the giurati, taking the necessary steps to transform Malta into a Crown Colony.
Talk about Maitland’s economical reorganization of Malta.
Even though he exported Maltese goods, he gave preference to British goods, wanted to transform Malta into a centre for entrepot trade.
1819- export duty abolished, import at 1% ad valorem (according to product’s value) and 2% for non British goods.
Discuss the Anglo-Neapolitan Treaty.
With the Anglo-Neapolitan Treaty of 1816, Naples took back control of the grain trade in Malta. Before, Malta had tax-free imports, now it was subject to higher duties, could not export cotton yard to Sicily, bad for cotton industry.
How was Britain’s behavior towards the Church?
Britian adopted a policy of religion neutrality, out of political necessity, as angering the Church would result in angering Maltese people.
Who was Marquis of Hastings?
Following Maitland, the next Civil Commissioner was Marquis of Hastings, who was in charge from 1824-26. He set up the casa d’industria (institute for girls to learn traditional skills like sewing) and got Maltese goods exported to the UK duty-free. He gave preference to Maltese who joined the army or the navy.
Who was Sir Frederick Ponsonby?
Third Civil Commissioner from 1827-36.
Malta’s petitions in the 1820s-30s
In the 1820s-30s, Malta suffered and economic depression and faces social problems.
Political agitators began protesting in Malta demanding a representative government and abolition of censorship.
As a result of Britain’s continuous delay of answering and their ignoring of Maltese claims, Maltese liberal movements were created, influenced by revolutions in all Europe.
1830s, Comitato Generale Maltese was set up, led by Camillo Sceberras and Giorgio Mitrovich. Official petition in 1830 demanding freedom of press and freely-elected Maltese council. 2 petitions sent to London, one radical, one moderate.
What did Malta achieve with these petitions?
At first, Ponsonby was against a representative government, he later changed his mind and accepted the local Advisory Council with Maltese majority, however, the Colonial Office wanted a Maltese minority.
Talk about the 1835 Constitution.
A non-elected, 7-member, Advisory Council of Government was set up. Governor has a veto. Council was made up of 3 nominated and 4 official members. The Council had freedom of debate. Governor could dismiss any member of just cause.
Bishop never sat on the Council due to Oath Question. Chief Justice wanted seniority over Senior Military Officer and resigned.
Governor continued to do as he pleased.
What did the 1835 Constitution show?
Through the advisory council, the British showed the Maltese that they had no power, as they did not even have a majority in an Advisory Council. British had complete power over the island.
