THE OTTOMAN OCCUPATION OF GREECE- 14th
Century:
During the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks
invaded the Balkans and Asia Minor. Constantinople (the capital of
the Roman Empire) finally fell under the rule of the Ottoman
Empire, this ended the time of Byzantine. The capital was renamed
Istanbul by the Ottoman Turks. The Ottoman state was theocracy and
its political system was based on Sultan, who had all the
rights.
The Ottoman Turks divided the non- Muslim community into
so called 'millets' such as Armenian, Catholic, Jewish and
Orthodox. The Ottoman Turks gave the non- Muslim significant
autonomy. The ruler of each millet was known as the religious
leader, who was responsible for his obedience to the Sultan rules.
The head of the Orthodox millet was the Ecumenical Patriarch of the
Roman Empire, the highest person in the Greek Orthodox religion.
They had power and played an important role to the development of
the Greek Orthodox religion and culture.
The Ottoman Empire had a much decentralised administration
(they were in the process of redistributing or dispersing functions
and powers away from a central location or authority).
They had designated local military leaders. Later on, the Ottoman
Empire was divided into regions ruled by 'Pashas'. All official
contact was limited to tax collection and military conscription.
The Ottoman's new system discriminated againt the non- Muslim
population. They imposed special taxes like a head tax and tax of
freedom towards them.
The Orthodox priests and Christian primates collected
taxes and maintained good order. However, the Greek Orthodox Church
was greatly responsible for keeping the Greek language and
traditions alive, nearly for four centuries.
THE GREEK WAR
OF INDEPENDENCE 1821 -1832:
The official date for the
Declaration of Greek Independence is March 25th, 1821. Each year it
is celebrated on the same date. An independent Greece was announced
on February 3rd, 1830 in the London Protocol (articles
of London). The Kingdom of Greece was formally instituted in May
1832 in the Convention of London.
March 25th, 1831, after
400 years of the Ottoman rule, the modern state of Greece came into
existence after a long hard fought decade of war of independence.
The beginning of the rebellion originally dated back to 1814. The
formal revolt began in March 25th, 1821 in
Kalavytria.
There was many revolts against the
Turkish occupiers, it broke out in the Peloponnese and in the
Aegean islands by fierce guerrilla fighters, seeking to return
Greece back to its state of freedom. A year later the rebels gained
key locations in the Peloponnese and the independence of Greece was
announced in January 1822.
The independence created a new
feeling of love for Greece from foreigners all over Europe. Many of
them also came in Greece to fight and die for the country, the most
famous was the English poet Lord Byron.
There was pure determination of the
Greek freedom fighters and their Philhellene supporters, they
eventually won the support of the great powers such as Russia,
Britain and France. These great powers asked the Turkish Sultan to
relent in its occupation of Greece. The Turkish government refused,
however after many years of conflict, a final battle took place.
Russia, Britain and France sent their naval fleets to Navarino Bay
and they destroyed the Egyptian fleets that were helping the
Turkish occupiers. This was the coup de grace that led to Greece
gaining its independence!
THE DERIVATION OF THE NAME
"GREECE":
The name Greece comes from the
Latin geographical description of Magna Gracia (a region of
southern Italy) so called for its transformation Greek settlements,
monuments and culture. Greece is also referred to as "Hellas" or
"Ellatha." Its official language is Modern Greek, although many
other languages are spoken in Greece today, meaning the country is
extremely tourist friendly. Its capital and largest city is the
vibrant and growing metropolis of Athens. The government of Greece
is organized as a Parliamentary republic. The country is currently
operating under its constitution dating to 1975, referred to as the
"Third Republic."
