The Surrender of Genoa - 1800

The Surrender of Genoa in 1800 occurred during the War of the Second Coalition, when French forces under General André Masséna were besieged by a combined Austrian and British army from April 6 to June 4. Masséna and his troops endured severe food shortages and constant bombardment, holding out for nearly two months to tie down enemy forces while Napoleon Bonaparte launched his Italian campaign. As Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Marengo (June 14, 1800) approached, Masséna finally agreed to surrender under honorable terms, allowing his troops to leave with their weapons. The siege played a crucial strategic role in Napoleon’s success, as it delayed Austrian movements and contributed to the eventual French victory in Italy.