Greek War of Independence, Vienna Order, liberal movements, national aspirations, Congress of Vienna, Holy Alliance, Quadruple Alliance, European history, Lord Byron, Delacroix
Reader
Abstract
Extract
of 7
Abstract
The Greek War of Independence was a significant event in European history, driven by liberal and national aspirations against the conservative Vienna Order established in 1815.
Extract
[...] Finally, it will be necessary to study the consequences of the Vienna Order on the liberal aspirations of the peoples. The Congress of Vienna had several objectives, including restoring the monarchical model in Europe and establishing a durable peace in opposition to the revolutionary movements. The Congress of Vienna took place from November to June 1815 and brought together the European countries that defeated Napoleon, namely England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia. Under the impetus of Metternich, the Austrian diplomat, the Congress was concerned with restoring order on the European continent after Napoleon's fall and erasing the revolutionary period. [...]
[...] Europeans take up the cause of Greek independence. The speech of Benjamin Constant is its perfect illustration: "The cause of the Greeks is our own. In fact, certain European peoples at the time were engaged in battles aimed at overthrowing the order established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815, responding to liberal and national aspirations. Their struggle is transposed into that of the Greeks who wish to gain their independence from the Ottomans. The Greek War of Independence thus finds an echo among many European intellectuals and artists such as Lord Byron or Delacroix who cannot stand the bourgeois, conservative, and complacent climate that has reigned in Europe since the Congress of Vienna in 1815. [...]
[...] This is the case, for example, of the carbonari in Italy who organize rebellions in Turin or Naples, some Burschenschaft in Germany who want to impose on monarchs the drafting of a constitution or the 'Decemberists' in Russia who want to adopt reforms to the tsar. These rebellious movements are sometimes supported by intellectuals such as Victor Hugo or Lord Byron. The peak of the rebellions takes place in Europe from January 1848 with different objectives, including demanding social rights in a context of economic crisis. [...]
[...] These two texts allow us to first note that the Greek War of Independence is a reflection of the European revolutionary ideas. Then, they demonstrate that it is a war opposing moral principles. Finally, the difficult independence of the Greeks highlights the difficulties encountered by certain States in Europe. Whether it is the text of Benjamin Constant or that of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the ideas stemming from the French Revolution are very present in their discourse against obscurantism and arbitrariness. But they also highlight a kind of interference by the Europeans in the fight led by the Greeks. [...]
[...] ) is reserved for the Grand Philanthropic Committee." On the other hand, Theodore Kolokotronis considers that the Greeks must emancipate themselves from European interference: then understood that we had to act on our own, without counting on the help of foreign powers. It is because the Greeks apply the principles of the French Revolution that they become aware of their independence from any foreign power. Thus, the Greeks, although supported by certain European countries, wish to emancipate themselves from any form of domination. However, like most liberal and national movements in Europe, the Greeks risk being plagued by the same difficulties due to disagreements within their struggle. Benjamin Constant calls for Greek unity. [...]
