From Ottoman Rule to Greek Sovereignty: The Battle of Navarino’s Legacy

• The Greek War of Independence: A Fight for National Identity
• Great Powers’ Intervention in Greece: Balancing Interests and Preserving Stability
• The Treaty of London (1827): Greece’s Independence Deal
• Naval Warfare in the Mediterranean: The Battle of Navarino
• Russo-Turkish War: Catalyst for Greek Independence

The Greek War of Independence: A Fight for National Identity:

To
grasp the significance of the Battle of Navarino, it’s essential to understand
the context in which it unfolded. For centuries, Greece had been a part of the
vast Ottoman Empire, which had conquered the
region following the fall of Constantinople in
1453. Throughout this extended period of foreign rule, the Greek people managed
to preserve their culture, language, and identity. The Greek people had a
strong wish to be independent. They held onto their culture, history, and
identity, and they wanted to govern themselves. This desire grew quietly over
time, fueled by their rich history and united belief.

However,
the winds of change began to blow in the late 18th century, as the Enlightenment and the ideals of the French Revolution vibrated throughout Europe. Inspired
by these ideas, the Greek independence movement gained force, fueled by the
desire to reclaim their cultural heritage and national identity.

By
the early 19th century, the Greek War of Independence had exploded, driven by a
growing desire among the Greek population to liberate their homeland from
Ottoman control (Ottoman Greece). The fight for
independence was not merely a military struggle; it was a battle to reclaim a
national identity, heritage, and the right to self-determination. “Eleftheria i thanatos,” which translates to
“Freedom or Death,” is Greece’s motto. This motto originated in songs
that provided inspiration and motivation for people to fight for their
independence. In 1814, a secretive organization called the Filiki Eteria, formed with the specific goal of ending
Ottoman rule, chose this motto for their mission.

The
Greek War of Independence broke out in 1821, with episodic rebellions against
Ottoman rule. The Ottoman Empire responded with brutal force, suppressing the
rebellion and imposing severe sufferings on the Greek population. The conflict attracted
international attention, with various European powers sympathetic to the Greek
cause. Among these powers were the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, who saw
an opportunity to challenge Ottoman dominance in the region and advance their
own geopolitical interests.

British Naval at the battle of Navarino

Great
Powers’ Intervention in Greece: Balancing Interests and Preserving Stability

In
the 19th century, the Russian Empire wanted to
expand at the cost of the weakening Ottoman Empire, causing concern among other
European powers. They worried about Russian dominance in the Eastern
Mediterranean and the potential collapse of the Ottoman Empire. The situation
escalated when some Orthodox Russians supported their Greek counterparts during
the Greek rebellion against the Ottomans in 1821, despite opposition from Tsar Alexander I.

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British
public opinion strongly favored the Greeks, even though the official British
stance aimed to maintain the Ottoman Empire. To prevent Russia from taking one-sided
action, Britain and France formed a treaty with Russia. This joint intervention
sought to secure Greek autonomy while preserving the territorial integrity of
the Ottoman Empire as a check against Russian influence.

The
intervention was driven by a complex balance of interests, with Russia’s
expansionist ambitions and the desire to support their fellow Orthodox
Christians in Greece. Meanwhile, Britain and France aimed to maintain stability
in the region and prevent Russian supremacy. Ultimately, the intervention had
the goal of securing Greek independence while ensuring the overall political balance
in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The
Treaty of London (1827): Greece’s Independence Deal

On
July 6, 1827, three major countries – Great Britain, France, and Russia –
signed the Treaty of London. Their goal was to
end the conflict between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. Since 1821, Greece had
been in rebellion against Ottoman rule, and these powerful nations decided to
support the Greeks.

The
treaty aimed to establish Greece’s independence while keeping the Ottoman
Sultan in charge. The three countries wanted to act as mediators between the
Greeks and the Ottomans. According to the treaty, Greece would have a
connection to the Ottoman Empire and pay them money.

If
the Sultan Mahmud II rejected peace, the treaty outlined what would happen next. The
Sultan had one month to agree to peace, or the powerful countries would start
doing business with the Greeks. If the Sultan continued to fight, the Allies
would use force to compel him to cease hostilities.

Battle of Navarino

The
Ottoman Empire, thinking it had a stronger navy, said no to the Treaty of
London. This treaty allowed the three European powers to help Greece. Then, in the
big naval battle at Navarino on October 20, 1827, the Allies defeated the
Ottoman and Egyptian fleet, making Greece independent.

Naval Warfare in the Mediterranean: The Battle of Navarino

The
Battle of Navarino was a pivotal event in the Greek War of Independence. It
unfolded when the combined fleet of the three European powers entered the Bay
of Navarino, off the southwestern coast of the Peloponnese
peninsula. The Ottoman fleet, anchored in the bay, consisted of around 80
ships, including powerful warships and smaller vessels.

The
European fleet, commanded by British Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, French Admiral Henri de Rigny,
and Russian Admiral Lodewijk van Heiden,
numbered around 50 ships. The intention of the European fleet was to neutralize
the Ottoman naval power and provide support to the Greek revolutionaries on
land.

Initially,
negotiations were attempted to defuse tensions, but they failed, and the battle
commenced. The Ottoman fleet, underestimating the strength and resolve of the
European forces, launched an attack. However, the combined European fleet’s
superior firepower and strategic positioning quickly turned the tide in their
favor.

The
battle raged for several hours, with intense naval bombardment and
close-quarters combat. The Ottoman fleet suffered heavy losses, with many of
their ships damaged or destroyed. The Europeans, on the other hand, suffered
minimal casualties but inflicted significant damage on the Ottoman naval
forces.

Ottoman Empire Turkish Map

Russo-Turkish War: Catalyst for Greek Independence

Even
though there were celebrations, the Ottoman Sultan still had about 40,000
soldiers in central and southern Greece, hiding in strong fortresses. Greece’s
full freedom was still far away, unless the Ottomans agreed to the Treaty of
London.

In
April 1828, Russia declared war on the Ottomans, starting the 11th Russo-Turkish War. The Russian army, with 100,000
soldiers, defeated the Ottoman forces in places like Romania and crossed the
Danube. They besieged Silistra, Varna, and Shumla, which were important Ottoman
forts in Bulgaria.

In
September 1829, the Ottoman Sultan had to give in because the Russian army was
very close to his palace, just 40 miles away. He agreed to many things the
Russians wanted in the Treaty of Adrianople,
including accepting Greek autonomy as mentioned in the Treaty of London. But
this acceptance couldn’t save the Ottoman rule over Greece.

The
Greeks, feeling confident because of their victories and the Ottomans’ losses,
didn’t want anything less than full independence. Finally, in the London Protocol of 1830, the Allies changed their
policy and accepted that Greece would be independent instead of being under
Ottoman control.

Later
in that same year, the Sultan had to sign the Treaty of Constantinople (1832) in which he officially recognized the new Kingdom
of Greece as an independent country because the powerful nations made him do
it.

The Members of Filiki Eteria

Conclusion:

The
Battle of Navarino was a resounding victory for the European powers,
effectively ending Ottoman Turkish control over Greece and providing a crucial
boost to the Greek independence movement. The Ottoman fleet was devastated, and
the surviving ships were forced to retreat. The battle’s significance lay in
its demonstration of the waning power of the Ottoman Empire and the growing
influence of European nations in the region.

The
aftermath of the battle saw a significant shift in the political landscape of
Greece. The borders of the new Greek nation were determined, and a
constitutional monarchy was established, with Prince Otto of Bavaria becoming the first king of Greece. The combined forces
of the United Kingdom, France, and Russia demonstrated their military strength
and political influence, effectively paving the way for an independent Greek
state. Today, the Battle of Navarino stands as a testament to the resilience
and determination of the Greek people and their successful struggle for
independence.