200 Years After the Revolution

2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the Revolution of 1821, which was the founding act of the Greek state and a major event in modern Greek history. At the same time, it was a critical European and international event, as it led, for the first time, to the establishment of a nation-state in Southeastern Europe, and in fact with secession from the Ottoman Empire.

The Revolution of 1821 led to the creation of the Greek state, inspiring its contributors and the world community with the ideals of freedom and independence.

It is clear that the Greek revolution was a milestone in the history of modern Hellenism, as it led, after 400 years, to the creation of the independent Greek state, inspired the next generations of Greeks with successive liberation uprisings and inspired the Greeks in times of trial. But it was also a major event in the modern history of Europe, as it brought changes that have an impact to this day. It was so dynamic that it led the governments of the Great Powers to be interested in the fate of Greece, to cooperate and sign protocols and conditions for the happy outcome of the Greek struggle, contrary to their policy so far.

The Greek revolutionaries succeeded in convincing the European powers of the day that their struggle was not motivated by any social class or conflict of social interests, nor was it aimed at state change, nor was it aimed at removing incompetent leaders, as was the case with most revolutionary movements until then. Instead, he sought the liberation of a nation. Greece did not exist. The Greeks, however, never accepted that their country was lost, did not forget the past of their race and waited for the right moment to be liberated. The ordinary warriors of '21 realized that their glorious past was creating obligations for the future of their country and they themselves decided to "turn the sun", and this "requires a lot of work".

The intervention of the Great Powers worked in favor of the Greeks, but the exact nature of the new state had not been clarified, that is, whether it would be autonomous or independent and which territories it would include. The Ottoman Empire again did not accept the creation of a Greek state and dissatisfied with the result of the naval battle of Navarino led to war with Russia and another defeat. Then Great Britain and France agreed to create an independent Greek state and so in 1830 the Protocol of Independence was signed, the first diplomatic act signed by the Powers and the Ottoman Empire and recognizing the existence of an independent Greek state.

The history of the Revolution includes many heroic events of self-denial and selfless patriotism, especially considering that the revolutionary populations, who had an entire empire facing them with military superiority, were far fewer, with limited military organization and meager resources. size of the project. It also includes internal conflicts and divisions. Undoubtedly, however, the Revolution of 1821 is a success story that continues to this day, guided by the values ​​first envisioned and claimed by our bold ancestors: freedom, democracy, social justice, faith in individual advancement and collective progress. 

Today, we Greeks, in times of great but very different difficulties, have the maturity to learn from the past, but also the confidence to face the challenges of the future. And we draw inspiration and strength from the great example of the Revolution of 1821 that led to the creation of the independent and modern Greek state, which quickly consolidated parliamentarism, grew territorially and developed economically, eventually managing to become one of the most advanced and democratic states in the world.

Happy Birthday Greece!