Greek War of Independence

Greek revolution collage

Greek War of Independence

The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution (1821–1829), was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of France, and the Russian Empire, while the Ottomans were aided by their North African vassals, particularly the Eyālet of Egypt. The war is considered a pivotal moment in Greek history, as well as a key part of the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of a new Greek state, the first nation-state to emerge from the Ottoman rule.

Background

The roots of the Greek War of Independence can be traced back to the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453 and the subsequent centuries of Ottoman rule over Greek territories. Despite the Ottoman administration, the Greeks managed to preserve their language, religion, and some local autonomy, particularly in the mountainous regions. The 18th century saw the rise of the Enlightenment in Europe, which also influenced the Greek elite, leading to the formation of the Filiki Eteria in 1814, a secret organization aiming at the liberation of Greece.

Outbreak of the Revolution

The revolution began on 25 March 1821 when Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese, signaling the start of the uprising. The Greeks initially faced severe setbacks, including internal divisions and brutal reprisals by Ottoman forces. However, the revolutionaries managed to secure control over the Peloponnese and parts of Central Greece by the end of 1821.

International Involvement

The Greek cause garnered sympathy across Europe, leading to an increase in foreign volunteers and aid. The London Protocol in 1827, in which the Great Powers (United Kingdom, France, and Russia) agreed to intervene, marked a turning point in the war. The decisive Battle of Navarino in October 1827, where the combined fleets of the Great Powers destroyed the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet, effectively secured Greek independence.

Aftermath

The war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Adrianople in 1829, where the Ottoman Empire recognized Greek autonomy and the Treaty of Constantinople in 1832, which established the borders of the modern Greek state and the installation of a Bavarian prince, Otto of Greece, as the first king of the independent Greece.

The Greek War of Independence is celebrated in Greece on 25 March every year, coinciding with the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. It left a lasting legacy in Greek national identity, as well as in the arts and literature, inspiring the Philhellenism movement across Europe.