The Greek Revolution/ Greek War of Independence

by: Harry Harnett

Pre-RevolutionThe Greeks had been under the Ottomans/

Muslim rule since the 1400’s. This religious difference was a problem for the Orthodox. The Orthodox Greek thought the Muslims that ruled them were inferior to them.

MUSLIMS Greek Orthodox Women

The Friendly Society

A secret society called the Friendly Society also spread revolutionary fever. They were a revolutionary group that helped organize some of the first uprisings of the Greek Revolution.

Revolt of PeloponneseThe revolt in Peloponnese happened in 1821,

and was one of the first battles of the Revolution. The Greek peasants had picked up whatever weapons they could find and killed all the Muslims they could find. They also stole their goods. It is estimated that 20,000 of 50,000 Muslims were killed.

Weapons

ConstantinopleIn Constantinople the King was furious at the

revolting Greeks. Sultan Mahmud had the Greek Patriarch of Constantinople, Gregorios V, put on trial. He was found guilty of treason and perjury. He was hung for these unjust crimes. Many European countries were shocked by the hanging.

Gregorios V.

Statue of Gregorios V. on Greek postage Stamp.

The Revolution Spreads

The revolution spread to northern Greece across Isthmus and at Athens. The Muslims were defending themselves in various town from the freedom fighting Greeks. The city of Patras, Monemvasia, Navarino, and Tripolitsa fell to the Greek forces. Once Muslims were captured by the Greeks they were killed.

Back in Constantinople…

Back in Constantinople the sultan was massacring all of the Christians, Greek or not.

Massacre at Chios In 1822 the sultan sent the Turkish military

was sent to the island of Chios to kill all the Greeks and Christians. An estimated 75,000 Greeks and Christians were killed. At least 25,000 escaped on boats that fellow Greeks came in to rescue them.

The Massacre at Chios (1824) by Eugène

Greeks Declare Independence

In 1822 the Greeks declared independence, stating:We, descendants of the wise and

noble peoples of Hellas, we who are the contemporaries of the enlightened and civilized nations of Europe, we who behold the advantages which they enjoy under the protection of the impenetrable aegis of the law, find it no long possible to suffer without cowardice and self-contempt the cruel yoke of the Ottoman power which has weighed upon us for more than four centuries -- a power which does not listen to reason and knows no other law than its own will, which orders and disposes everything despotically and according to caprice.

Naval battle of Samos/ 1823

In 1823 a naval battle between the Greek and Ottomans took place between the islands of Psara and Samos. The Greeks easily won because of the lack of confidence on the Ottoman side.

Ottoman Alliances

In 1824 Sultan Mahmud made an alliance with King Muhammad Ali, King of Egypt. He had a very large and strong army and navy. In return for his help King Mahmud promised Muhammad the island of Crete.

Greek Alliances Without asking in 1827 the Greeks

gained 3 allies, England, Russia, and France. The 3 countries made a treaty before helping the Greeks though. The main reasons why these three countries joined with the Greeks was to demonstrate their navy strength and after the death these west nations had sympathy for the Greeks.

Ottomans Advance

The outcome of the Ottoman-Egyptian alliance was catastrophic to the Greeks. In 1825 the Egyptians quickly gained control of the Aegean Islands. Also the Turks regained control of Athens.

Sky view of Greece and Turkey

Help from the WestWhen it looked as if the Ottomans had

regained control of Greece, finally the Greece, England, Russia, and France form their alliance in 1827. Once Greece, England, and Russia arrived they did work.

Battle of Navarin Bay In July of 1827 the combined forces

of Russia, England, and France sent an unstoppable navy to the Aegean Sea. They were outnumbered by the combined forces of the Ottoman and Egyptian empire, but their skill could not be matched. They won the battle and advanced into lost Greek territory.

Battle of Narvarin Bay

Recapturing Greece In October of 1828 French troops landed in

Peloponnese and helped the Greeks regroup and form a new government. Then the Greeks took back Athens, Thebes, and other lost territories.

Greek GovernmentAfter recapturing their land the Greeks started

building a government. They made their government a republican government. Their three parties were the Russian party, English party, and French Party.

Greece becomes an Independent Country

In 1832 Greece was recognized as an independent nation. They Greeks, English, Russians, and French then signed a treaty. Their new king was chosen by the allies. He was Otto of Wittlebach (from Germany).

Lord Byron Lord Byron of Greece was a famous poet who

supported the Greek fight for freedom. He helped organize funds, troops, and supplies for the Greeks. When he died, his death attracted attention from Russia, France, and England, and they became allies.

King Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali was the King of Egypt. He was

the main allied power of the Ottoman Empire. His navy quickly regained the lost Ottoman lands. He was successful until the Greek allies came.