Modern Greek History

D. Tsokos Filiki Etaireia

Before the Revolution

The Greek war of independence (18211830) was motivated by the desire for selfdetermination, free thought, education, and joining the civilized nations of Europe. The movement was an organized effort, with certain objectives Western influences are largely responsible, but also Greek intellectual activity.

The Beginning of the War

Lipparini: Revolution Vryzakis: Oath

War of Independence
1821 begins. The Greeks rapidly prevail in the Peloponnese, which had a very small Muslim population. The Sultan retaliates with mindless slaughter of civilian populations in defenseless islands (Chios, Psara), which capture Western Imagination The Great Powers of the time, although instinctively against revolts, change their policy and become sympathetic to the Greek Cause

Delacroix: The Slaughter of Chios

Egyptian Deal
Egyptian Intervention (with a strong navy), nearly extinguishes the revolution. However, pro-Hellenic sentiment grows stronger in western Europe, and Byrons death in the city functions as a strong propaganda in favor of the revolutionaries
Delacroix: Liberty on the Ruins of Messolongi

Carneray: The destruction of the Egyptian Fleet at the bay of Navarino, by the British, French and Russian Fleet (1826)

The Independent Greek State

The Sultan was forced to acknowledge the creation of a small Greek State. King Othon, a German prince, brings with him a Bavarian ensemble, which plays an important role in the organization of the new state according to Western models. 1834: The Bavarians move the capital to Athens.

James Skene: Othonic Athens

Othonic Athens
Athens under Othon remains a small town, but quickly establishes itself as the center of Hellenism. Much of the literature still comes from the Ionian Islands. For the next 50 years, Athens will re-establish the bonds with its past. C. Perlberg Athens

Georgian Athens
1862 Othon is forced to leave. He is succeeded by George I (until 1913). In this period the city becomes a center for literature and arts, and becomes prosperous by the end of the century.

Folk Art: Othon Leaving

The Union with Crete

The struggle of Crete for independence from Ottoman rule has been well recorded in literature (Kazantzakis, Kapetan Michalis). 1897 Autonomy 1909 Union

The Balkan wars (1912-13)

The Balkan nations revolt and drive the Turks out of Europe. The Greeks take advantage and acquire Macedonia and Thrace. The size of the country doubles, more or less to its present borders.

The 1st World War

WW1: Greece fights side by side with victorious allies. But it gains nothing, and loses a lot. Catastrophe in Asia Minor. Myrivilis: Life in the Tomb.

Midwar Athens
Athens in the 1930s catches up with world depression. The wounds of the Catastrophe in Asia Minor and the world economic crisis create a depressed mood. The suicide of Karyotakis

Kostas Karyotakis

WW2
1940 Italian Invasion of Greece is resisted successfully. 1941: Hitler comes to the aid of Musolini, and the Germans occupy Greece until 1944. Greece remains firmly pro-Western.

Civil War
As the invading forces leave, the Greeks are divided between those who seek to remain in the west, and those who want to join the Eastern Block. British/American intervention ensures that Greece will remain Western.

1950s and 60s

Greece like most of Europe is recovering from the devastation of WW2. In this case also from the evils of the civil war. Simultaneously, quietly but steadily a social revolution takes place which was going to change the country for ever. The role of the Church lessens, the families become small, women and minority groups acquire guaranteed rights, education and healthcare become universal.

The junta: 1967-1974

In a paranoid cold war senario, a tyrannical regime is established. Freedoms of speech, thought, and expression are expressly forbidden Torture and exile are part of the regimes tactics.

Polytechneio: The Technical University of Athens: A symbol

The invasion of Cyprus

The Turkish army invaded Cyprus in 1974, and effectively (but illegally) divided the island. The Greeks still consider the US largely responsible for the tragedy of Cyprus

The politics of Modern Greece

Two main parties and many smaller ones. The socialist party has dominated Greek politics since 1981. Liberalization Egalitarianism Fervent adherence to European Ideal

The New Europe

1960: Treaty of Rome creates Common Market 1973: EEC 1992: Treaty of Maastricht creates the European Union (EU) 2002: Monetary Union in 12 countries (EURO)

Olympic Games - Olympia

In ancient Greece the Olympic games were held in honour of Zeus, King of the Gods. The games were part of a great five day festival held every four years at Olympia, a valley near a city called Elis. It was an opportunity for individual cities to get together and people came in large numbers from all over the Greek world. The earliest Olympic Games were held in about 776BC. In those days the only event was a short sprint, from one end of the stadium to the other. Gradually over the years more were added until there were four days of many different competitions.

Olympia in Ancient Greece in Pierers Universal-Lexikon, 1891

stadium

Temple of Zeus

Inside the temple, statue of Zeus, a wonder of ancient world (height : 18 m)

Crypt (arched way to the stadium)

Competitions

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Olympic Games - Olympia

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11 10 9

A) Pugilism B) Wrestlers C) Pankration D) Equestrian curse E)Chariot race F)Discus throw G)Long jump H) Javelin throw I) Music J) SInging K) Races

Site

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Women - Athens

Women did not have citizen rights. They could not take part in the assembly, or vote, or serve on juries. In wealthy families girls were educated to run the household of servants and slaves, and were usually married by the age of 13. In poorer families women worked alongside men, farming in the fields or running the family business. Some women had more freedom than others. Aspasia was a teacher of public speaking, who had influence in Athenian politics. Her unmarried partner was the famous general Perikles.

This woman has a tunic, cloak and flowers round her head.

Slaves

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Slaves - Athens
And so, in the arrangement of the family, a slave is a living possession, and property a number of such instruments; and the servant is himself an instrument which takes precedence of all other instruments. Aristotle, Politics, book I, IV,

Between a quarter and a third of Athens 300,000 population were slaves. These were men and women captured in wars or born into slavery. Many slaves had special skills, such as nurses and teachers, while others had the hardest and most unpleasant work to do. It was common for a rich household to have many slaves. Some slaves were owned by the state. For example archers from Scythia were used as a kind of police force by the Athenian government. Some skilled slaves worked as pottery painters. It was possible for them to save their wages and eventually buy their freedom.

Slaves in a mine

Wome n

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Greek City States

What does it mean to be a city-state? What are some of the names of the Greek city-states? What were some of the similarities and differences between them?

What does it mean to be a Greek city-state?

Ancient Greeks became too overcrowded on the Greek mainland.

They spread out to the surrounding islands and formed colonies. These colonies became city-states.

The Greeks called their city-state The Polis. Each Polis was an independent governing unit, and many had different types of government.

The Greeks built their polis around a hill called an Acropolis. On this high ground stood their main temple. Below, they built their homes and a marketplace. People enjoyed life outdoors in the mild climate of Ancient Greece. Most public business was conducted outdoors. People also went to the theatre.

Social structure and citizenship in the Greek polis 1. 2. 3. Citizens free adult males had political rights and the responsibility of civic participation in government. Women and foreigners had no political rights. Slaves had no political rights.

Greek City-States
Greece

Aegean Sea

Asia Minor

Athens

Sparta

Mediterranean Sea

Athens
Athens was the primary city-state after the Persian War. Athens was the cultural center of Greece, it had its golden age under the ruler Pericles.
Mon archy Rule by a king or queen

The thing that set Athens apart from the other city-states was its government. Athens was a democracy. The government of Athens, however, went through several stages before reaching democracy.

Aristocracy Rule by a sm group of land owning elite all

Tyranny Rule by one person, the Tyrant. Who takes power

Dem ocracy Rule inwhich people can vote.

Reformers
On its way from a Monarchy to Democracy Athens had several people who made important reforms to develop their government

Early Athens was ruled by a king after it became a unified polis about 700 B.C. Later Aristocrats took power as they controlled most of the land.

Increased trade led to the development of a merchant class, these merchants became the Tyrants (Tyrants were not necessarily bad)