It is supposed, that in 5 thousand B.C. Malta has been occupied neoliticheskimi tribes from Sicily. In the end neoliticheskoj an era and the period eneolita the archipelago became the centre advanced and till now to the mysterious civilisation which have kept on him numerous monuments and structures. Most known of them is temple gipogeum in the Plaited white bread-saflieni, constructed between 3200 and 2900 B.C. At its excavation archeologists have found remains of 6 thousand the persons buried together with various ritual subjects. On islands Malta and Gozos were saved majestic megaliticheskie temples – stone sanctuaries of Plaited white bread-tarshen, Hadzhnar, Mnajdra, Mdzharr, Dzhgantija and others. The population attended to agriculture, animal industries and weaving. About 2 thousand years B.C. to this culture there has unexpectedly come the end. The subsequent bronze age was accompanied by sharp and significant change of a way of life of ancient Malteses.
In 8 centuries B.C. on islands Phoenician colonists with whom Malta has involved with convenient harbours and is strategic favourable position in heart of Mediterranean sea have lodged. It is supposed, that the name Malta occurs from a Phoenician word "Malat" – harbour. Phoenicians have surrounded with a wall the city of Mdinu – ancient capital of Malta. On islands ancient Greeks lodged also. In 6 in B.C. Malta has passed under the power of Carthago which has held on almost three hundred years. From this time the column devoted to god Melkartu was saved.
Carthaginians have transformed islands into the important marine base, whence they could threaten Italy. In 257 B.C. Roman commander Attila Regul has seized Malta, but could not keep it. Only in 218 B.C., during the Second Punic war, the Roman power has managed to expel Carthaginians and to be fixed on islands. Of their stay here till now remind the rests of country houses with inlaid floors, baths, huge catacombs and other historical monuments. TSitseron and Libya described Mdinu as a city with perfect buildings and a life high level. At Romans Malta was the centre on production of fancies. Besides, on islands grew up wheat and plums; there was a textile production.
In Roman times for the Maltese islands the Christianity extends. Under the legend, it was entered by apostle Paul who has suffered here ship-wreck on road to Rome during 60 our era It has spent on Malta three months, has cured the father of governor Publiusa, has based the Christian community and has nominated Publiusa as the first bishop. After section of the Roman power Malta it has appeared as a part of Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). In 870 archipelago Arabs who have made the big impact on an economy, have seized culture and population language. They have entered system irrigatsii, considerably having increased fertility of soils. At them on Malta Islam has affirmed. In 1090 islands have been won by Normans and were a part of the Sicilian kingdom. It meant restoration of communications with Europe, economic development and Christianity returning. In 13 centuries from islands the last Moslems have been moved.
Together with Sicily Malta has appeared in 1282 under the power of Spaniards. At 12-15 a century the island prospered; its inhabitants grazed cattle, grew up wheat, a clap and caraway seeds which removed in the countries of Europe. Crafts developed, arose tsehi handicraftsmen. Malta remained shopping centre and port of the international significance.
However in 15 century, at the height of wars between the European states and Muslim dynasties of the North Africa Malta became object of devastating attacks of pirates. Trade has stood, the island economy has decayed. Position was changed, when Malta has been transformed into a Christian advanced post against Turkish expansion to the Mediterranean.
In 1530 Spanish king Charles V has passed Malta to an award ioannitov which began to be referred to since then Maltese. Some times it was attacked by Turks. After attack 1551 Maltese knights began to strengthen actively islands, and civil work promoted revival of an economy of the country. In 1565 at support of the Spanish armies from Sicily the award managed to reflect intrusion of 40-thousand Turkish army and fleet of sultan Sulejmana Magnificent. In the battles, lasting four months, was lost 250 of 600 knights and thousand the Malteses protecting island.
In 1566 great master of an award Jean le la Valett has mortgaged a new city – Valettu, having magnificent harbours with convenient port and turned to shopping centre of the Mediterranean. The city represented a fortress, and the large part of strengthenings (a fort the Dignity-elmo) has been cut in rocks. In 1571 Valetta became capital of Malta, and to 1674 in it lived already 12 thousand persons. It was the rich, prospering city decorated with magnificent temples and houses in a Baroque taste. On island Malta the shipbuilding and ship repair began to develop fast, production of sails and ropes, metal working and a tree have been adjusted. To Malta incomes of property of an award from all Europe were flown down, and the Maltese knights alien to local population, indulged in luxury. They did not shun and a slave-trade.
The aggregate number of the population of archipelago with 1530 on 1798 has increased from 20 thousand to 100 thousand people But already to 18 centuries the Maltese award began to lose the significance. The island economy has started to fall into decay. The heavy loss was put by plague epidemic in 1676. Conflicts between an award and local Catholic church have become aggravated, and in 1755 part of clergy at support of inhabitants has risen against despotism of great masters.
In 1798, following to Egypt, to Malta the French fleet with Napoleon's army has approached. Great master Gompesh in June has handed over island without resistance. The certificate about capitulation provided care of an award from Malta. But the initial enthusiasm of Malteses was replaced by indignation: the French invaders plundered churches and palaces, have imposed new taxes. In September inhabitants have lifted revolt, have proclaimed republic on island Gozo, have besieged Valettu and have addressed behind the help to Sicily and the British admiral to Nelson. After long blockade Nelson has taken possession of Malta in 1800. Over archipelago the British protectorate has been established. The Great Britain has refused to return Malta to an award, referring on the resolution of elective representatives of islands. Having rejected call-ups of Malteses about an establishment of representative board, she in 1813 declared Malta the British colony. Constitutions 1813, 1835, 1849, 1887 and 1903 have fixed its colonial status. All completeness of the power belonged to the British governor. In 1835 at him advice from 7 persons in which have switched on and 2 Maltese representatives has been created. In 1849 selectivity of a part of councillors has been entered, in 1887 elective members have gained the majority places in advice.
On Malta the British military garrison which has reached of 10 thousand of military men took places. The island formed the major base of the Great Britain. Since 1840th years new military structures were under construction. The strategic role of Malta has increased even more during the Crimean war (1854–1856) and after opening to 1869 Suez canals. The island became a key to a marine way from Europe to India.
In 1919 for the first time there was a large performance of Malteses against a colonial mode. It has been suppressed, but promoted activization of a political life. In 1920 there were political parties – Labour, National and others. In 1921 population the limited self-management has been granted. For the governor and its advice the control over questions of defence and external relations was saved. The elective Legislative Assembly and the senate carried out legislative and an executive power in internal affairs. However because of political crises the British administration in 1930 and 1933 suspended the constitution, and in 1936 has cancelled it. To 1947 Malta the governor individually operated.
In the Second World War Malta has sustained long blockade from Italy and Germany. On islands it has been dumped 14 thousand bombs from which was lost not less than one and a half thousand civilians and it is destroyed 37 thousand buildings. Since June 1940 till July 1943 archipelago has appeared cut off from an external world. In 1942 for heroism in defence the king of the Great Britain has awarded Malta with the maximum award – the Georgievsky cross. Since then its image is placed on the Maltese flag.
In 1947 British power have restored on Malta the constitutional self-management. During elections in Legislative Assembly the victory was gained by the Labour party of Malta (LPM), and its leader Pol Boffa has generated the country government. But already in 1949 in a consignment there was a split because of disagreements concerning the British financial aid. Having left LPM, Boffa has created a new Workers' party which has entered the block with Nationalist party (NPM). After extraordinary elections 1950 the coalition government led by the leader of nationalists Enriko Mitstsi, and after his death – Dzhordzhio Borg Olivier has been created. The ruling coalition has won and on the subsequent elections in 1951 and 1953.
Heading the governmental office NPM has put forward the slogan of complete self-management of Malta at which foreign policy and defensive questions would be decided in common by British and Malteses. The Labour party led by Dominikom Mintoffom achieved during this period gradual inclusion of Malta in konstiutsionnuju and social and economic structure of mother country. In 1955 labourites have won general election, and D.Mintoffa's government has started negotiations from the Great Britain about integration.
The corresponding initiative has been approved on a referendum in 1956. However the British side refused to grant Malta financial and an eaid in that volume what government Mintoffa regarded necessary for integration realisation. Not having achieved realisation of the plans, the Maltese labourites have required immediate and complete independence of the country. During struggle they resorted to methods of passive resistance, civil disobedience, to circulations in the United Nations, to the international organisations and great powers. In 1958 Malteses have spent mass demonstrations for independence, the government has in a pointed manner sent in the resignation, the general strike has begun. Participants of protests attacked police stations, put out of action communication, constructed barricades. The British governor has entered state of emergency, has forbidden realisation of meetings, has called additional armies. The further negotiations have not given results, and in 1959 British power the constitution have suspended. In the answer Malteses have launched campaign of civil disobedience and strikes. In 1961 Great Britain it has been compelled to grant Malta internal self-management. The archipelago ceased to be a colony and turned to the independent state. However decisive word in all questions the British governor-general still had. In 1962 an election in the House of Representatives has been held. They have brought victory NPM which has got support of Catholic church and achieved in the future of transformation of Malta in the British dominion co-operating with NATO. The labourites claiming republic, have suffered defeat. The new government of nationalists was generated by Borg Olivier. In 1963 in London there has passed conference on a question of independence of Malta, and in May 1964 on a referendum the independent state constitution has been approved. On the night of September, 21st 1964 Malta became independent. In the head of the state there was a British queen. The country has appeared connected by the ten years' agreement On mutual defence and the help with the former mother country, in its territory the British armies and bases (in exchange for appropriations in aid) still took places. Labourites sharply criticised conditions of declaration of independence. But on elections 1966 they have suffered again defeat.
The Maltese state has established diplomatic relations with the various countries (including from the USSR in 1967). But as a whole government NPM was guided in foreign policy by the Great Britain and the USA. In 1965 Malta has signed the resolution on «special relations» from NATO. From the USA service agreements of the American warships have been reached. With 1967 country carried on negotiations on cooperation with EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY and in 1970 has concluded the agreement for association with European communities.
The Maltese government was dissatisfied with the decision of the British government to reduce presence of the armies on islands that kept out of work 6,5 thousand Malteses. Thanks to the agreement with the Great Britain it was possible to brake this process, to reduce number of dismissals and to compensate their job creation.
The economic situation of Malta has worsened after hours to 1967 Suez canals. Into island ports began to come less courts, receipts in the budget were reduced. The volume of ship-repair jobs was reduced, the trade deficit and the negative balance of payments grew. The Maltese government has gone on pound devaluation, has nationalised dry docks and has achieved from the Great Britain an additional financial backing, but these measures could not stop crisis increase. In 1969 Great Britain has declared help suspension on financial agreements 1964. New conditions were less favorable for Malta. The government had to resort to loans and credits. The rise in prices, unemployment and a low wage level called numerous protests and strikes.
Before general election 1971 oppositional Labour party could agree with Catholic church about non-interference last in a policy. LPM promised to supply self-sufficiency of the country, to develop the national industry and agriculture, to lower a public debt and to expand social security. In foreign policy labourites called for revision of military agreements with the Great Britain and arrangements from EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, to increase in the British financial consideration for use of a military base, to non-alignment of Malta and a strengthening of relations with the next Libya. Labourites were supported by the largest profobedinenie – the General working union. Having won 28 from 55 places in the House of Representatives, LPM has generated in June 1971 government led by D.Mintoffom.
Having come to the power, labourites have spent a number of economic and political reforms. They have limited the State expenditure, have established the governmental control over import, currency exportation, the prices, have started subsidising of the cores food and manufactured goods, have created administration of docks, have taken measures for easing of dependence on the British pound sterling. The state has started wide interference in economy. Projects on industrialisation acceleration have been developed, at a state participation the enterprises were under construction, industrial areas, and also the state and mixed companies in such areas, as marine and an air freight, power, communication facilities and information, banking, petroinvestigation are created. Trade unions have been admitted to management of docks. The agreement on stay of the British armies has been cancelled and in 1972 is revised on conditions more favourable to Malta. Tourism developed. Measures on reduction of unemployment have been taken. In social area costs of living allowance, pensions and allowances, and also appropriations for housing construction have been increased. The authorities have increased wages, have entered 40-hour and five-day working week. Economic activity of the state did not mean failure of development of private business – Maltese and foreign. The labour government has granted foreign investors tax and other privileges. Malta continued to receive foreign loans and credits.
To the middle 1970 government managed to achieve stabilisation and economic situation improvement. The standard of living on Malta was one of the highest in the Mediterranean. Though in the end of a decade economic growth was slowed down, country position remains satisfactory.
In 1974 labour government of Malta has achieved change of the constitution of the country. The republic has been proclaimed, the voting qualification decreased about 21 years till 18 years, the church line of business was a little limited, common law marriages are entered. In 1975 LPM again has won on parliamentary elections, having collected overwhelming majority of voices of voters.
In the field of foreign policy the labour government has broken off "special" relations from NATO, has sent the commander of the Navies of this block and has forbidden visits of the American naval vessels. In 1979 British armies have been definitively introduced, and the base on which they took places, – is closed. In 1980–1981 Malta declared itself a neutral state. Communications with the Libya which has rendered to Malta significant financial aid, other countries of Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean developed. Relations with the states of East block and China improved. However, in 1980 relations with Libya have deteriorated because of disagreements about borders on a continental shelf. Libya has sent warships to area of the conflict, Malta has addressed with the complaint to the UN Security Council. In the subsequent the decision on transfer of a question in the International court was accepted, and communications between two states began to be restored.
In 1981 when in a national economy the crisis phenomena began to affect again and unemployment has increased, the next parliamentary elections have taken place. Oppositional NPM has gained the absolute majority voices, but, thanks to features of an electoral system, 34 from 65 places in the House of Representatives have got to labourites. Nationalists have required to change rules and to spend new general election. They declared temporary boycott of parliament, have spent a political strike, but have not become successful.
In 1983 the new wave of disorders when the government of Malta has tried to induce Catholic church to allow free school training has flashed. It has decided to confiscate three quarters of church property, but the court has cancelled this decision, as illegal. When into 1984 parliament has entered an interdiction for paid training, the church has closed the schools. New collisions have followed, and in 1985 the compromise has been reached: the church agreed on free secondary education in exchange for subsidising by the state of half of costs for schools.
In 1984 Mintoffa labourite Karmelo Mifsud Bonnichi has replaced on a post of the prime minister. It has become famous for the activity on a post of the legal adviser of trade unions (with 1969) when it managed to prevent to the enactment of bill, providing imprisonment for sharing in strikes. But already in 1987 on the next parliamentary elections a victory has gained oppositional NPM which has supported the introduction of Malta into EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY. The leader of nationalists, lawyer Edward Fenek Adami became the Prime minister of the country. Elections 1992 have brought again to it success.
At government NPM Malta was reoriented on expansion of communications with the West. In 1990 it has submitted the request for the introduction into EU. In 1995 country has joined the program of NATO Partnership for the sake of the world, remaining thus a neutral state.
In December 1992 the Joint declaration on friendship and cooperation with Russia has been signed. The state continued to finance the branched out system of social services – a free education, health services, pensions etc. But in economy structural reorganisation according to EU standards was developed. In 1992 the plan of economic development for 20 years which provided transformation of the country in international financial and shopping centre has been accepted. There was an economic growth, unemployment in the early nineties did not exceed 3,5 %. Into 1995 government has entered 15 %-s' value-added tax that has called significant discontent among the population.
On 1999 the introduction of Malta into European union was planned. However it has not occurred, as NPM, despite church support, has suffered defeat on preschedule parliamentary elections in October 1996. LPM has won, promising to transform Malta to «the Mediterranean Switzerland» and free trade zone. The new prime minister – labourite Alfred Sant, the former trade-union leader, immediately declared an exit of the country from the program of NATO Partnership for the sake of the world, has cancelled the value-added tax and has withdrawn the request for the introduction of the country in EU.
LPM had in parliament the minimum majority (35 of 69 places), and in 1998 has lost it. On early election in September the success accompanied oppositional NPM. Having received 51,8 % of voices, it has won 35 of 65 places in the House of Representatives. The government was headed again by E.Fenek Adami. It has confirmed the request for the introduction into EU and has restored the value-added tax, motivating its necessities of the adaptation to economic structure of Europe from which Malta expects generous financial aid. In April 2003 NPM has repeatedly won on general election. In 2003 on Malta the referendum about joining to European union has taken place. Despite opposition from labourites and a traditional way of life, the majority of the population has approved the introduction into European union.
