HISTORY
Founded
in 1215 as a colony of Genoa, Monaco has been ruled by the House
of Grimaldi since 1297, except when under French control from
1789 to 1814. Designated as a protectorate of Sardinia from 1815
until 1860 by the Treaty of Vienna, Monaco's sovereignty was recognized
by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. The Prince of Monaco
was an absolute ruler until a constitution was promulgated in
1911.
In July
1918, a treaty was signed providing for limited French protection
over Monaco. The treaty, formally noted in the Treaty of Versailles,
established that Monegasque policy would be aligned with French
political, military, and economic interests.
A new
constitution, proclaimed in 1962, abolished capital punishment,
provided for female suffrage, and established a Supreme Court
to guarantee fundamental liberties.
In 1993,
Monaco became an official member of the United Nations with full
voting rights. It joined the Council of Europe in 2004.
Three months after the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on April 6, Prince Albert II formally acceded to the throne on July 12, 2005.
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