HINE 116 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Phanariotes, Greek War Of Independence, Critical Role
Lecture 5: Ottoman Political and Social Structure
❖ Serbian Insurrections and Autonomous Serbia
• In 1804 an insurrection led by Kara George against the excesses of local Janissary
garrisons
• Although initially carrying the banner of the Sultan, the movement then
developed into one aimed at Serbian autonomy
• The Ottomans suppressed it in 1813
• In 1815, it flared up again under Milos Obrenovic
• Istanbul had to give the Serbians relative autonomy
❖ Greek Rebellion? Greek Revolution? Greek War of Independence?
• The Greek insurrection which broke out in 1821 is more significant than the
Serbian one:
o The Greek ouity i the Epire played a ritial role i the Epire’s
external relations.
▪ The Ottomans kept the Greek patriarchy
▪ Muslis i the Ottoa epire did’t wat to lear foreig
languages
▪ It was the Greeks who became translators of European languages
and therefore its external relations were in the hands of the
Greeks, to an extent
o From the beginning of the insurgency many of its leaders aimed at full
independence.
▪ Phanar (phanariots)
o The crisis that ensued directly involved all the major European powers.
• Philiki Hetairia: a Greek Patriotic society (1814)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
2
• The removal of Ali Pasha of Yanina as part of the suppression of independent
ayan
• The Help by the Egyptian Troops for the Sultan (1825)
• Philhellenism in Europe
o The love of everything Greek in European society
o Begins with the Renaissance
• The Battle of Navarino (1827)
o In the Greek port of Navarino
o British, French, and Russian fleets
• Full scale war with Russia (1828-29)
o The Ottomans declared war on Russia and lost
▪ Had to sign a treaty in 1829
• Greek Autonomy (1829) and Independence (1832)
❖ Russo-Turkish Wars of the Long 19th Century
• 1806-1812: The Treaty of Bucharest (1812)
• 1828-1829: The Treaty of Adrianople (1829)
• 1853-1856: The Crimean War; Treaty of Paris (1856)
o The Russians lost
• 1877-1878: The 93 War; The Treaty of San Stefano; The Treaty of Berlin
• 1914-1917: WWI; The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
• Result: Ottomans were continually losing territory and the
❖ Autonomy and Independence in the Balkans
• Serbian Autonomy (1815), Independence (1878)
❖ Eastern Question – Early 19th Century
• Greek Crisis: 1821-1823
❖ The Age of Ayans
• Ayan: provincial notable
• Politics of notables: 18th century decentralization empowered local notables
throughout the empire
• 1808, Charter of Alliance: represents the peak of Ayan power
o Sometimes seen as an Ottoman Magna Carta; i.e. a pact between the
ruler and his barons
o The Ayans were officially recognized as partners in government and
sharing the power
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
