Why is Corsica a part of France? (Short Animated Documentary)

Since, like, forever Corsica has been close in proximity, language, culture, and economy to the Italian peninsula. Today though, it's a part of France which obviously means we have to ask why. To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

A special thanks to all of these Patrons below, without whom the show wouldn't be possible:

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[nathanyakich]

Dude you can't just drop "Corsica was owned by a bank at one point" and not go in to further detail! I'm down a massive rabbit hole about the Bank of St George now

[AquaAtia]

Corsica was originally a private island owned by James Bisonette but in a generous donation he gave it to France

[benw]

I love how 99% of European history is "Britain doesn't let France have what it wants" and vice versa.

[a_balogh]

Fun fact: Napoleon was born about 3 months after France completed the annexation of Corsica. He never learned French spelling, he spoke with a distinct Corsican accent and was even an outspoken Corsican nationalist in his early life. Of course he was bullied like hell for all of this.

[Blaqjaqshellaq]

An interesting 18th-century Corsican is Pasquale Paoli. He became President of the Corsican republic and effected the first national constitution to embody Enlightenment principles. After the French conquest, he moved to London and became part of the Samuel Johnson-Joshua Reynolds circle. (His secretary, Napoleon's father, turned collaborationist and got the connections to place his son in a French military school.) After the French Revolution broke out he returned to France a hero and was put in charge of Corsica again. But the British desire to use him as their tool (they told him to invade Savoy-controlled Sardinia) led to quarrels with Napoleon himself, who returned to France. British support protected Corsica's de facto independence for a while, but eventually the French retook the island and Paoli spent the rest of his life back in London.

[leonx]

It would be interesting to know what the corsicans thought of Napoleon when he was in charge since he was Corsican

[bigblue]

Being a linguist in Corsica has got to be and advantage. You're never going to be out of work.

[ahmedmuawia]

I love how this channel became a telescope that looks on history and ask questions, then gives us answers.
Why is this good in any way? Well from what I have experienced history is often told through a narrative, which I understand is a great way of understanding a grand context.
But the tiny bits of information that this channel gives us by asking these questions and answering them us become more invested to learn the full story.
Like here in this episode he mentions how corsica remained part of France because the coalition wanted a temporary return to pre war borders, now we are invested "what exactly did the coalition want from France after their defeat? How did they hope to achieve these goals?"
And its all down hill from there

[AFNick]

I love how this channel answers the not so obvious questions that I have have been curious about but never know it.

[xaviersaavedra]

1:45 for those who are having trouble reading the small writing, it says: “only applies to Europeans.”

[miltonfarmer]

I love how there are so many things in this video that could take hours to discuss. These are great.

[mataya-waldenberg]

DAMN, I literally just randomly read up on Italian irredentism in regards to Corsica yesterday and was a bit confused by the literature and THEN you upload this the very next day!

[maskthemney]

Subject idea: what was the point of the Roman Senate during the empire?

[sailbyzantium]

More Swiss Guards, please! (@ 2:12). That was delightful with your so apt drawing and animation style for this channel.

[wariodude]

The only thing I knew about Corsica is that Napoleon was from there and he apparently had a terrible Corsican accent when he spoke French. This broadened my horizons a little bit.

[CheapCharlieChronicles]

Before watching the video I’m guessing it had something to do with Napoleon.

[Mindingsesssion]

As a Corsican, it feels very odd to see some english guy on the internet speaking and knowing so much about my island ! Good job man !

[rodrigodepierola]

I love how accurate your maps are. You miss tiny things like exclaves or minor holdings.

[Volctra]

2:20 I really like how you always have these jokes about Flanders/Belgium ^^

[michielpetitjean]

As a Belgian, I do appreciate the fact that in 2:20 you changed our national motto to 'waffles are delicious' in Dutch!