Corsica's Northern Neighbor & Future Existence

Nationalist Resistance in the streets of Corsica.
(Source: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/42502000/jpg/_42502695_corsica_demo_ap.jpg)

Since France acquired Corsica from Genoa in 1764, the European country and its territory have grown to have a shaky relationship. Though France has granted Corsica with limited autonomy in 2001, Corsican nationalists are still pushing to be a fully independent, sovereign nation with no direct affiliation with France. Due to Corsica being a French territory the French people have had a large impact on Corsican resources, industry and economy despite the autonomy the island has been given. This has not settled well for the native Corsican people. 

Tension has grown in Corsica in regards to their French neighbors in the North. A Corsican Nationalist movement has been in effect since the middle of the 20th century as native Corsican people have pushed for complete independence and sole recognition as a sovereign state. This movement originally began in 1952. The People of Corsica had begun to grow tired of France’s say in their economic affairs along with France’s mistreatment of the island in respect to infrastructure and economy. However, the movement took a turn when the focus switched from meeting economic demands to an organized, radical movement that was not afraid to utilize violence in order to get the cultural recognition they believed and still believe they deserve. 

Armed members of the Corsican Nationalist Movement.
(Source: http://thevelvetrocket.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/flnc1.jpg)

Though I mentioned the limited autonomy Corsica currently has, the Native Corsican people are still vying for full autonomy. Though the violence has minimized, there are still nationalists in Corsica fighting every day for what they believe is their natural and cultural right. The question remains: Will Corsica ever become completely independent from France or will their culture slowly die out and fade into France’s customs? 

Sources: 

 Academic Journal - 
 Nationalism on the Island: The Legitimacy of Corsican Nationalist Movements in Question 
 By: Stéphanie Vieille, University of Western Ontario 
 Department of Political Science, PhD Candidate 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsican_nationalism 
http://www.everyculture.com/Europe/Corsicans-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html