The Greek War of Independence which began in 1821 was the culmination of centuries of subjugation under the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Turks had ruled over Greece since the fall of Constantinople in 1453 imposing their control over the Greek-speaking territories of the Eastern Mediterranean. While the Greeks endured under Ottoman rule for nearly four centuries various socio-political religious and economic factors fostered the desire for independence. These factors would eventually fuel a revolution that would reshape Greece’s future and contribute to the broader wave of nationalistic movements across Europe in the 19th century.
The Ottoman Empire's control over Greece was characterized by a rigid hierarchical structure. While Greeks were allowed to practice their religion and maintain certain aspects of their culture they were treated as second-class citizens subject to high taxes and military conscription. This created deep resentment and a longing for autonomy. However resistance to Ottoman rule was sporadic and often crushed by the overwhelming power of the Empire. The Greeks scattered across various islands and mainland regions lacked the unity needed to mount an effective challenge to Ottoman authority.
One of the key elements that ignited the desire for Greek independence was the rise of nationalist and revolutionary ideas in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The French Revolution of 1789 had sparked waves of liberalism and nationalism across the continent and these ideas reached Greece through intellectuals students and traders. The Enlightenment ideals of liberty equality and fraternity resonated with many Greeks who saw them as a path toward the freedom they had been denied for centuries.
