Monaco, sinds 1191 a possesion of Genoa, becomes in 1297 a feudal posession of the family Grimaldi inside the Republic of Genoa.
From time to time is under full control of Genoa.
The Genoese protectorate shifts to Spain in 1524.
In 1641 it develops into the Principality of Monaco under a protectorate of France.
France annexes the principality in 1793 and renames it Fort-Hercule.
In 1815 the principality is restored and becomes a protectorate of Sardinia
The protectorate shifts to France in 1861.
Monaco's sovereignty is recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861.
From that moment on Monaco can be considered independent.
In 1911 the absolute monarchy is replaced by a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
In 1918 a treaty is signed providing for limited French protection over Monaco.
The treaty establishes that Monegasque policy is aligned with French political, military and economic interests.
The executive is headed by the minister of state, who is a French citizen appointed by the Prince for a 3-year term from among several senior French civil servants proposed by the French Government.
Monaco is occupied by Italy between 1942 and 1943 and between 1943 and 1944 by Germany.
Femal suffrage is introduced in 1962.