Page "Ajaccio" Paragraph 21

The Bonapartes were back in Ajaccio in 1797 under the protection of general Napoleon.

Shortly after Napoleon became First Consul and then emperor, using the office to spread the revolution throughout Europe.

In 1811 he made Ajaccio the capital of the new Department of Corsica.

Despite his subsequent defeat by the Prussians, Russians and British allies, exile and death, no victorious power has reversed that decision or tried to remove Corsica from France.

Among the natives, though Corsican nationalism is strong, and feeling often runs high in favour of a union with Italy, loyalty to France, as evidenced by elections, remains stronger.