Corsican Republic: Forgotten Democracy

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]What if the world's first modern democracy wasn't where you think?

[00:00:04]In 1755, Corsica declared independence from Genoa and under Pasquale Paoli adopted a constitution that granted universal male suffrage, separated church and state, and established a representative parliament.

[00:00:18]Remarkably progressive, it even included the right to education and trial by jury.

[00:00:23]The Corsican Republic thrived for 14 years before being conquered by France in 1769, but its bold vision inspired later revolutions and remains a hidden gem in European history.