The War of Independence (1821–1830) 

The Greek War of Independence was a dramatic and hard-fought struggle filled with heroic resistance, devastating setbacks, and powerful international intervention. 

The seeds of revolution were planted long before 1821. For centuries, Greeks lived under Ottoman rule, maintaining their language, culture, and faith in secret. The secret society Filiki Eteria, founded in Odessa in 1814, ignited the call for rebellion. They planned a coordinated uprising across Greek territories, with the Maniots in the Peloponnese being the first to openly declare war in March 1821. The Maniots, who claim to be descendants of the ancient Spartans, have often been described as such. Soon, flames of revolution spread throughout Greece, reaching the islands and central territories. 

One of the first major victories came with the Siege of Tripolitsa in September 1821. Greek revolutionaries stormed the Ottoman stronghold, dealing a decisive blow to their oppressors. Meanwhile, at sea, fearless naval leaders like Laskarina Bouboulina and Andreas Miaoulis led daring attacks, challenging Ottoman navy dominance with their swift and skilled fleets. 

Despite early victories, the revolution faced internal strife. By 1824, a civil war erupted among Greek factions, weakening their cause. Taking advantage of this division, the Ottomans called upon Egypt for reinforcements. The Egyptian army, led by Ibrahim Pasha, arrived in Greece in 1825, crushing Greek forces and retaking lost territories. The Greek struggle seemed on the brink of collapse. 

Just when hope was fading, international forces took notice. The Three-Great-Powers, Britain, France, and Russia intervened. Their combined fleets clashed with Ottoman-Egyptian forces in the Battle of Navarino in 1827, delivering a crushing defeat to the enemy navy. With Ottoman control weakening, Greece gained the upper hand, and by 1830, it was officially recognized as an independent state. 

To stabilize the new nation, the European powers appointed Prince Otto of Bavaria as Greece’s first king. However, his appointment was not entirely welcomed by the Greek people. Many viewed him as a foreign ruler imposed upon them, and his reign was met with resistance and political turmoil before he was eventually overthrown in 1862. 

The dream of independence had finally been realized, and March 25, 1821—the symbolic start of the revolution—is now celebrated annually as Greek Independence Day.