25 March 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the start of the Greek War of Independence. It was one of the most important independence movements in modern history. But it was not the end of the story. Its would be another 120 years before Greece assumed its final borders. In any case, my very best wishes to Greeks celebrating the anniversary!
Almost accurate the description BUT you have the talk more in depth about the greek expansions and the ethnic cleansing they produced and the population exchange between grece and turkey.
Russia liberated them and Bavaria fixed them: ua-cam.com/video/M99ze151HvA/v-deo.html It gets me baffled when I see what sort of damage a mad Bavarian caused to us Albanians.
I am amaized to see how brainwashed people like u are. I am half ARVANITR. if u know what this mean than you are hiding the truth and if u dont go and see what primary sorces say about us. My grandparents are from Katerina, thesalia and we are not Greeks we have Albanian blood. We speak Albanian language, we are orthodox and we have the same culture and clothes, those clothes who greeks made them miniskirt. Shame on u.
Thank you so much Yorgos! It wasn’t easy. And there was obviously so much I had to miss out. (As there usually is.) But it is an incredible story, and one that has a huge influence on the creation of so many other countries. My congratulations to all Greeks celebrating next week.
Your video could and should, if you ask me, be shown as a summarizing tool in class after finishing history lessons about the greek independence!! So detailed but at the same time easy to understand, follow and remember!! I'm 36 yrs old and just enjoyed this! Excellent 👌! Thank you so much 🥰
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
The Greek Independence is a great chapter of the history of Europe. It is also a great success story: Greece stands out in south Europe and the mediterranean as a beacon of freedom, democracy, stability and prosperity despite the endless hardship it went through the last 200 years (countless wars, earthquakes etc). It is by any account one of the most developed nations on earth. Which is Greece's greatest weapon through history? Its language! The Greek language has the longest documented history of any living Indo-European language, spanning at least 3,400 years of written records. Very few people realise that Greek is also a sacred language. Most people know that Arabic is the sacred language of Muslims, because the Quran is in Arabic. But which is the sacred language of Christianity, the biggest religion of this planet with more than 2 billion followers? It is Greek, the language of the Gospels. Very few nations can boast that with their language, culture, art, philosophy have shaped the world (China, India, Italy, France, England, Israel, Saudi Arabia), one of them, perhaps the smallest in size, Greece, has had the the greatest and most enduring cultural impact! Just recall that the most used word of this planet on 2020 was a Greek one, Pandemic!
Thanks so much. All great points. It is indeed an amazing chapter in the history of Europe. It was also incredibly influential on so many other independence movements - perhaps second only to the US War of Independence. And the Ancient Greek legacy also helped to secure wider European support for its cause.
Baya yunan tarihine meraklı birisin sanırım. Türkiyede böyle insan bulmak zor. I guess you are very interested in Greek history. Hard to find people like that in Turkey.
Yes, Greek culture is infused into a 2000 year old book that nobody reads anymore, unless they have to. Still, nice to know that someone could figure out a positive perspective. Save the mentally impaired, there's eleven million people in Greece who struggle to see the positive and fail completely unceremoniously.
@Jordan & Jordan You are the definition of "clinically defective". I assume you dont even have a normal life, only sitting on your chair possibly weighing over 200 lbs and thinking you do smth great by writing utter bs. Which you pull out of your arse. Continue on buddy, Life is good. Aint it? 😉
As a Greek i want to thank you all for your kind words :). May our unity in our common fight for freedom, justice and philotimia create a world where we are all proud to call home! Lots of love form Greece! :)
It is a difficult task to talk about that subject in fifteen minutes. Yet you managed to start by the Byzantium linking medieval and modern Greece, something not many channels on UA-cam have attempted. Despite the omitted details that may change the essence of video's concept you did a remarkable job. Well done.
Thanks. It was a bit of a challenge and unfortunately I did have to leave out lots of information. But I hope it’s a useful overview for people, especially those who don’t know much about the history of Greece. And you’re absolutely right. The Byzantine aspect is really important. I have always loved Byzantine history. (Psellus - 14 Byzantine Rulers is one of the great texts of eyewitness historiography. His account of Constantine IX Monomachos is just wonderful.) But we weren’t taught about it in school. I’ve always argued that you can’t understand modern Greece without understanding the Byzantine legacy.
Thanks. I think many independence movements were inspired by it. Probably second only to the United States in terms of its wider influence. Helped by the fact that it was a cause célèbre of its day. Lord Byron and others.
@Jordan & Jordan Byzantine history is medieval greek history.... Slavic history now, like ur 'macedonian' history, very hard to follow as you didn't have an alphabet or written language until greeks christianised and educated you to spread orthodoxy ......
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
as a greek myself im proud of all the history we carry for all these centuries and im really happy that other nations still know and think about us and support us. From all the people around greece...we thank you🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷💙💙💙!!(and yes i know my spelling isn't great)
what are you proud about exactly? is it the luxury of not having to actually fight? lands being handed to you by big brothers? loans being paid by big brothers? lmao 🤣🤣🤣
@@Cyberi0nix597 Greece doesn’t want conflict? Since when? You steal land and history and you don’t want conflict? People will want Conflict with Greece.
The only country that didnt wished Greece for the anniversary of the 200th independence day was Germany....no problem we will invite them to the parade for the 28 of October.
Even our main enemy Turkey congratulate Greece. Shame in Germany even not invited or not. Should congratulate Greece 200 years independence. They call it European Union. I don't believe it exists. Shame in German politics.
Thank you for this video James. My country got inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and the notion of the ''nation-state'' and actually managed to inspire other nations in the process. It's true, independence in the early 19th century didn't come easy. Millions of Greeks had already died fighting for freedom in the course of 400 years of Ottoman oppression. Many more died in wars that followed like the Crimean War, Balkan Wars, WWI and WWII, the 1919 war with Turkey, the Korean War and many many smaller wars that are largely unknown to the rest of the world. We thank them and honor them. We wouldn't exist without their sacrifice. Happy Independence Day to every Greek out there.
Thanks. I completely agree. It is a fascinating story that was inspired by France and the United States, but also went on to inspire others as well. And my warmest congratulations to all Greeks celebrating around the world this week!
Even though Greece ended up on the rough end of the stick in many aspects, I still think that its culture, language and story are pretty remarkable, and it's at least a small glimmer of hope for a return to greatness that our ancestors never cowered, they ALWAYS fought to preserve our independence and liberate our people so that maybe one day we could live in peace and harmony. Greetings to you, thanks for this anniversary video 😊
Thank you. I couldn't let the 200th anniversary pass! The Greek independence movement has had such an important impact on others around the world. Perhaps second only to the United States in terms of its wider significance. (Also, Greece is a special place for me as I used to live in Athens.)
@@JamesKerLindsay that's cool! Yeah, I noticed that you had a pretty precise accent when pronouncing the Μεγάλη Ιδέα. Fun fact it was also called the "Greece of Two Continents and of Five Seas" or in Greek "Ελλάς των Δύο Ηπείρων και των Επτά Θαλασσών". This is referencing of course Europe and Asia, but can you guess which five seas it meant? PS to a Greek person like me, with roots all across these lands, my grandma from Smyrna, my grandpa from Epirus, other grandma from Constantinople and finally my paternal one from Peloponnese, I really feel it when we're talking about the liberation of Greece. Also, I have many friends from Cyprus and Pontus (which you didn't mention that much, but that's ok) and as far as I know, people especially in Cyprus see Unification with Greece as making much more sense than a reunification of their island, especially now that many Turks have migrated there. But political reasons would never allow for that I guess. If there's any reason for different states to exist, that's to represent their different peoples on a global stage and not have their rights or uniqueness trampled by other bigger nations/corporations. So if a Greek state has any reason to exist, that should be to host the Greeks, not for political reasons. So for example, now I hear that the two countries' leaders don't want to ever unite even if Turkey evacuates Cyprus, because by being 2 different states, they can "hack" the EU security council and Veto decisions to be enforced on one or the other. To me this makes no sense. Buy the same logic, Germany should split in East/West, France into France and Provence, Italy into Padania and Italy and Spain into Spain and Catalonia.
@@georgios_5342 interesting video, although it looks like the tide has turned in the last century. They lost Constantinople, Smyrna and the north of Cyprus in the last hundred years. With Europe declining, and greece’s demographic troubles, it’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next century.
@@khaldrago911Numbers were never in favor of Greece. Look at the Turks. They had a strong empire with many, many ethnic minorities. They still trying to forcefully assimilate them and yet they can't succeed because they lack the secret ingredient. It's called civilization. Only through an interesting, highly civilised culture you can really assimilate different Ethnicities. Think about it and you might understand why Greeks, although they were never n millions, they're continuing to survive.
@@khaldrago911 According to the Turkish Statistical organization the population of Turkey in 2050 will reach almost 100 millions with over 1/3 of them being Kurds. Imagine that... Time's a bitch and if you lack the secret, essential ingredient you won't survive. The 13th Century great Persian mystic Poet, Jalal-AL Din Rumi wrote "The Greeks are to create, the Turks to destroy. The Light and the Dark" History is full of such paradigms. At the end, with one or another way, Light's prevails!
@@hellenicnationalist5483 🤣🤣 Ella - Ellah--Allah middle east rooted religions. Roots of Bythguri is "Arberor.. He used to call the god as " Zot" not as ella. You can change the name but not the roots! 🇦🇱 Zoti e deshi Arber lindi Arber🇦🇱
@iwonnatube you have seeing the world through your perspective. My nationality has nothing to do with it. I'm half German, quarter french and quarter Italian. If the same question was posed in Japan you would have a very different answer.
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
Celebrating the Greek War of Independence is no time for pettiness! I read many bitter and insulting comments against the Greek people mostly coming from Albanians, Turks, Slavomavedonians and few Russians. Just comparing the standards of living and Human Development Index statuses of those countries with the Greek ones explain their bitterness and pettiness. It is a mere proof of the Greek greatness. As a Turk I wish to congratulate my Greek brothers and sisters on their Independence Day, I wish the next 200 years be years of prosperity, freedom and cultural grandeur both for Greece and for all its neighbors! Zito i Hellas!
Hello my friend Mehmet. Absolute respect to your words and your way of thinking. After all... there is more things that we have in common then those that separate us.
Everyday people who go on with their life and struggle for a better future for themselves and their grandchildren try to see far ahead. And everyday people aspire only to happiness. And happiness does not exist in material things. We everyday people on all sides of the Mediterranean know that very well. Greetings from Greece.
During a time when things looked particularly bleak for the Revolution, Greek General Theodore Kolokotronis (pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence) asked the British Admiral Hamilton's advice on what the best course of action would be. Hamilton responded (quite truthfully) that the most prudent thing to do would be to negotiate the Greek surrender with Great Britain guaranteeing for their lives. “ That can never be “ responded the General, “ We've already pledged Freedom or Death ! Our Basileus (Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos) was slain, he signed no treaty ! Ever since his Guard was always at War with the Turks and two forts remained forever indomitable ”. Hamilton was baffled by this statement. What Basileus, what King? The one who fell in battle 400 years ago? “What Royal Guard, what forts are you talking about ?” he asked. Kolokotronis responded “The Guard of our Basileus are those they call Klephts, the forts are Mani and Souli and the mountains”. Then Hamilton spoke no more... Excerpt from the notable book “Memoirs of Theodoros Kolokotronis”.
@Jordan & Jordan 'The Hellenic World' is a term which refers to that period of ancient Greek history between 507 BCE (the date of the first democracy in Athens) and 323 BCE (the death of Alexander the Great). ... This is the time of the great Golden Age of Greece and, in the popular imagination, resonates as 'ancient Greece'.
Δίνω πανελληνιες του χρόνου και έχω να πω ότι η ιστορία είναι το μάθημα που βρίσκω πιο ενδιαφέρον και συναρπαστικό από όλα. Χρόνια πολλά Ελλάδα. Τιμή σε όσους πέθαναν για την πατρίδα. Η δικιά μας γενιά έχει να διεκδικήσει μια αλλού είδους απελευθέρωση..
Thank you very much indeed. I had wanted to do this video for a long time. I actually lived in Greece (and Cyprus) and speak Greek. (But my writing is atrocious!) It is an amazing story. Many congratulations on the anniversary.
@@MegaKoutsou Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🙂 I’m not often accused of having a good accent and so really appreciate it. But you should hear it when I say anything longer. 😂😂😂
@iwonnatube If I was a Turk I would be proud. Because then I can say to people we made Greece our bitch for 400 years and ended up fighting the Albanians. But not a Turk my Iraqi friend.
Nice view of the subject! Although, the Greek Revolution didn't start just in the lands of modern Greece. Cyprus, Smyrna and even places in the Northern Balkans, such as Iasi in Romania raised the banner of the Greek Revolution.
Yes. Indeed. It stated in Moldavia - and before 25 March. I had thought to put it in, but in a short video like this it always becomes a balance between trying to provide enough detail for those who know a region and too much for those who don’t and could become confused. (I actually also had a bit in the script about how the independence movement also divided Greeks. Another fascinating story. I once spent Greek Independence Day on an island in the Aegean where they were all celebrating. At one point a historian I was with leaned over and with a wry smile told me that it was all hypocrisy. The island had in fact declared neutrality at the start of the War!)
@@JamesKerLindsay You may have been in central Aegean island. Because those Greeks have been converted to Catholic Church since 4th Crusade, and they stayed neutral due to fear of loosing their privileges in case of failure.
@@JamesKerLindsay On behalf of my compatriots ,we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. l hope this day's message to be spread all around the world were everyone would live in peace and harmony.
Thanks. That’s a really interesting point. Obviously, the Treaty of Sevres was seen as a humiliation by the Turkish Nationslists, but one wonders how things might have panned out if, as you say, Greece had focused on consolidating what it had rather than pushing inland. The question of Eastern Thrace is also interesting. I didn’t go into detail on that. That could have been a much easier gain for Greece.
@@JamesKerLindsay Yes James you are right on Eastern Thrace. I think this was Eleftherios Venizelos biggest diplomatic mistakes. From what I have read, even after the Asia Minor failure Greece had a capable force to defend Eastern Thrace, but basically gave it away.
@@ted1452 What are you talking about? Asia minor catastrophe wasnt Eleftherios Venizelos mistake. He lost the elections in 1920 from the anti-Venizelos party who spread lies that he wanted to continue the war inland. When they came to power they were the ones who wanted to continue with the dream of taking credit of the eradication of the turks. Eleftherios Venizelos was the one who wanted to stop the war. He had very good diplomatic relations with Kemal we could had Smyrna and eastern thrace if he didnt lost the elεctions. Eleftherios Venizelos was the best diplomatic leader and politician we ever had until today.
@@sotoskun861 The question that Ted put is why Eastern Thrace was returned by Venizelos in 1923. Population percentages might have had something to do with this.
@@jortheo I still dont understand. We never got eastern thrace. It was part of a treaty it never came to be. We had briefly eastern thrace during the war.
Wow, it's kind of crazy to see a country that can directly trace its cultural roots back to almost the dawn of human civilization. Greece has to be one of if not the oldest civilization to have a direct, unbroken line of culture and heritage from the classical period to the modern era.
Magnificent analysis no one could have done it better!!!! Very precise and not biased at all, historically accurate!!!!! Perfect!!! I would propose that you would go over a lot of details on a future small clip on the Treaty Of Lausanne that would clarify a lot of things that people do not know till today!!!! Like the status of all the Greek islands plus the treaties of the straits which is also of vital importance.
Thank you so much. So glad to hear that you liked it! :-) Great point about Lausanne. I did discuss it in another video exploring the origins of Greek-Turkish tensions. But I do hope to come back to it. There are also some other issues I’d like to cover, such as the population exchanges.
Great video James! Greece is a beautiful country. With a rich history, delicious food and friendly people. What's not to like? Keep up the good work! I am loving your vids! 🙂😉
Thanks you very much indeed. I really appreciate it. It really is an incredibly story. I often say that I think it is probably the second most influential independence movement after the UnitedStates. Many other movements were inspired by it.
Wonderfully informative video. I checked a language map of the region after you mentioned Greece's desire to annex Asia minor + Constantinople and was curious why Greek would want Turkish speaking land - the later ethnic cleansing answered my question.
Thank you so much. The population exchange was something that I didn’t cover in as much detail as I should have. I might try to come back to it. What was fascinating was that it was based on religion, not ethnic identification. Many Christian Turkish speakers suddenly found themselves in Greece and many Greek speaking Muslims suddenly found themselves in Turkey. It must have been horrifically traumatic for so many of them.
Actually, from the population exchange, the Greeks of Constantinople and the Muslims of Thrace where excluded, however after the pogrom of Constantinople (1955), most Greeks living there were expelled. In general, its considered that more than 10 million Greeks/Christians were living in Asia Minor before 1922.
Thanks so much. I hadn’t thought of going that far back. But it might be interesting to look at the idea of statehood in the ancient world. Great suggestion!
Thank you very much. I did want to do more on that, and several other aspects of the emergence of Modern Greece. But unfortunately in any 15 minute video it becomes a fine balance between providing enough information into get the point across and cramming in too much information, which can divert the narrative and become confusing for people new to the subject. But I do plan to come back to Epirus in one way or another, whether as a video on Greek-Albanian relations or a video on Albania as part of this series on how countries became independent. But thanks again for raising it.
North Epirus is another Fascist idea for expanding Greece my friend. First, there is no such a cause, and second Epirus has never been Hellenic. But before talking of Epirus, lets first talk about Çameria. It would be much more faire.
@@aldix1646 north Epirus 100 years ago was majority Greek. Chams aren’t native to Epirus they came during medieval times as immigrants. Greeks on the other hand have been in Epirus since ancient times while albanians were not.
Even if not really detailed, its still a really good video considering it lasts 14 minutes. As a greek thank you for this presentation of the history of my country, especially on the 200th years anniversary. A person to do your research and if you want, a video on is Ioannis Kapodistrias. He was first Governor of Greece and a really interesting figure. A doctor that eventually turned joint minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Empire, a big political opponent of Metternich due to his different ideas regarding the post napoleonic Europe, a big supporter of the greek indepedence war even if he had spoken against an armed uprising, since he considered the conditions not ideal for such an action and a figure that met a very tragic end.
Congratulations!!It was an excellent presentation of the historical events that led to the independence of Greece.Greece could be much bigger if the Greeks did not have a very big enemy.....the Greeks!
Thanks! I hope all is well at your end. Hoping to make it over to join you all this evening. For anyone up for some discussion on the UK, Europe and other current affairs, do take a look at Max Robespierre ua-cam.com/channels/SiYkMylC3F_eQfIodMHkOw.html
Hi James..!! Hope you are well... great video as always and my admiration for being able to recount the entire story in just under 14mins..!! All the best to you.. g
Hi George, so great to hear from you! I hope that all is well at your end. It wasn't easy to condense it all. :-) As you can imagine, I had to leave out a lot of things I would have liked to include. But it is amazing story. And, of course, I have a special affection for Greece, having lived there at one point. Next week's anniversary is certainly a cause for celebration! By the way, if anyone else sees this comment, do check out George's channel. It is great. Absolutely stunning photography: ua-cam.com/channels/2cjFacK2whkZ93nZ6Jt4_A.html
@@JamesKerLindsay ..thanks for the plug James.. :-).. I’m well ta.. back in Greece for the duration but hope to get back to the uk again soon.. wish you well.. g
Not sure but many Greeks including me will say that Athens is just a temporary capital until we get Constantinople back. But it does look very unlikely due to population differences. But we can hope.
Greece stands as the luckiest Balkan state to win most of what it firstly claimed. Its ancient legacy, the very important foreign support, its geostrategic position, its people's great will for expansion and the relaxed rules of the past, were the main factors to enable a territory to remain Greek speaking after three Millenia.
Luckiest? Really mate? We attempted more than 200 times to gain our independence between 1453-1821 and failed every single time. Scores of our people being butchered, crucified, force converted to Islam and even being impaled or roasted alive and you call us lucky? Compare that to Albania that gained independence without even firing a single shot or other Balkan countries. The only reason that Albania even exists is that Italy didn't want Greece to expand further in the Adriatic coasts, in the lands that we conquered not once but 3 times and still Italy lobbied everywhere against us.
@@billaros1338 We can talk about Albania as much as you want, but our topic is about Greece. Could you please provide some information about those 200 unsuccessful efforts of gaining independence? I had never heard something like that.
This story isnt over but it is heading into the terminal phase. A peoples whom gave so much to the world and achieved ever enduring legacies whilst enduring so much hardships, pogroms and persecussions ultimately prevail with aspirations realised. I personally dont believe the golden age of hellenes was in classical greece nor in being the catalyst of europes renaissance but rather the true golden age of greece is yet to come. Zhtw h ellas.
The Golden Age of Greece was either the 5th century BC Athens or the Hellenistic Age or Basil's II Byzantine Empire. Obviously Greece had many more glorious moments like the decade between 1912-1922 with the Megali Idea and many more are sure to come but I'm not that optimistic about any other Golden Age. Not in the near future at least. That applies not only for Greece but for the rest of Europe and the Western World as well. We all have stagnating economies and shrinking populations. Compare that to Asian or African countries that are developing with 5% or 8% rates every year and they are doubling their population every 20 years or so.
@@billaros1338 , greece wasnt great because they had an 8% growth rate or 300% growth. But were great for their achievements and legacies . The uk calls her self great Britain but there is nothing great about them unless enslaving others,usurping their wealth and exploiting them on an industrial and systematic way with grim legacies that persist to this day is your benchmark. I tell you that the worlds modus operandi is faulty and obsolete by unitentional design and will soon enough fall on its sword, there and only then will my remarks be concise and obvious. Time and providence will reveal all.
Lol Greece has a failed economy that is only supported by tourism and an ailing public sector, an ageing population which will decrease severely in the next decades, no sister nations as they are not slavic, arab, latin or any of the huge groups around them, a language that is very difficult to learn even for its own youth that are increasingly illiterate since english is like 100x easier and more relevant and its youth is migrating to other countries and will stay there for the most part. Greece will be lucky to exist after a century or two, let alone have a golden age. It did have a good run though and will be remembered throughout history for its impact.
@@spiritusIRATUS I checked your profile and you have a variety of Greek artists and UA-camrs in your playlists. Thus you are either a little Greek leftist or an Albanian who for some reason hates his adoptive country. Anyway that's kinda weird. If Greece has a failed economy then 90% of all countries have a failed economy too. Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, a massive tourist sector and is an advanced economy that is based on services. By far the best per capita economy in the Balkans. Don't forget that before the 2008 crisis, Greece was wealthier than Israel, Ireland, Portugal etc. Don't worry we'll get there again. Regarding the aging population, that's not solely a Greek problem. Every country in Europe is facing the same problem right now. Regarding migration, you don't always need to speak Greek in order to live or work here mate. Plus I'm pretty sure we don't want more people from Asia or Africa. Let them go to the "rich" Germany. I agree with you that it's unlikely for Greece or for any other European country to have another golden age anytime soon but for Greece not to exist mate? Hahahaha are you nuts? We have always been there mate and always will be. No Persian, Roman, Turk or anyone else could change that. Greece of 11 million people will be here long after countries with 10 times our population disappear or be renamed to something else.
Interesting video, James! I knew Greece expanded, but never knew it in that much detail. Greece's path to independence and irredentism mirrors Romania's on some level. Starting from the Ottoman vassal states of Wallachia and Moldavia, having a revolution to get rid of foreign rulers who would pay money to the Ottomans for the throne, then taking advantage of the Crimean War's peace negociations to bring up their desire for unification to the Great Powers, exploiting a loophole in the treaty to have the same man ruler of both countries, eventually becoming independent. Gaining Southern Doburja from Bulgaria in 1913 after Bulgaria refused to give up Silistra in the First Balkan War. And at the end of World War I former regions of Moldavia (Bessarabia and Bukovina) with Romanian majoritary regions in Transylvania and Banat declaring their desire for independence and union with Romania. Leading to Greater Romania. Although, it's worth pointing out that this wasn't the maximum extent of the Romanian irredentist idea. Which was actaully "From Dniester to Tisza" claiming historic right and including Western Crisana/Alfold (that remained part of Hungary) and West Banat (that remained part of Serbia, later Yugoslavia), but unlike other territories, those territories had an insignificant Romanian population, it claimed historic right, not ethnic self-determination. With Greater Romania ending in 1940 after the Fall of France when Germany and USSR demanded Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to USSR, Northern Transylvania to Hungary and Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria. Originally pro-Allied, Romania tried to appease Germany after the Fall of France, but it was too little too late, other powers who previously declared their loyality to Germany already made territorial claims to Romania, who even with its change of allegeance, was looking only for a German guarnatee, it was only after the coup that ended Carol II's reign that Romania started to take an active implication and joined the Axis. At the end of World War II, due to King Michael's Coup in 1944 that changed sides, Romania took back Northern Transylvania from Hungary. But lost Snake Island to USSR in 1947 reaching its modern borders. However, much like Greece, Romania has a Cyprus of its own, Moldova. When Bessarabia was taken in 1940, it lost some of its territory to Ukraine and became a Soviet Republic, which later became an independent state in 1991, only to have its own Northern Cyprus in Transnistria who started a war against the independence. With Russian support, much like Turkish support in Cyprus, the conflict reached a stalemate that exists to this day.
Thank you so much. Romania is another fascinating example. In fact, although I had to omit it, the Greek War of Independence actually began in Moldavia, as you probably know well. I really must do more on Romania and Moldova. I’ve been meaning to do a video of Transnistria for ages. But I am also fascinated in the question of Romania Moldova unification. What hasn’t it happened? Could it happen? And how would the EU respond?
Correct me I'm wrong but Romanian and Greek modern history are more interconnected than we might think, for starters the Greek community of wallachia did rebelled against the ottomans in that region in 1821 and at least tried to " get on board" the local population although the locals didn't trusted the Greeks due to the fact that many of the Greek leaders used to held positions of power with in the ottoman system Then there is the balkan wars after Bulgaria tried de facto to take over the territories was claiming, the found themselves in a three fronts war ( Serbia, Greece, Romania) and it did worked well for them, to say the least.. Ps I bet we can find more examples if we "lift the dust from the history books" 😉
@Jordan & Jordan how come it’s Turkish when it’s well known all over the world as Greek? Turkish companies even use Greek names to promote their product.
Thanks for the video, I wish you had spoken more on the true tragedy that the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians suffered in Smyrna at the hands of the Turks in the 1920’s.
Thanks. I understand. In any video of 15 minutes taking a look at such a brush sweep of history there is much that has to be omitted. But I think I did get across the tragedy of the loss of that ancient community. And hopefully it may have prompted people who are interested in the topic to look into it further. I have put some links to some great books on Greek history in the description.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ! King George I and the last Queen Anna-Maria being Danish, Greece has always been interesting to a Dane! As usual very well explained. Χαίρε ελευθερία! 😉
Yes, of course. The Danish link is strong in this one! :-) I always found it interesting that George took the title king of the Hellenes. His predecessor, Otto (Othon), was merely King of Greece.
@@JamesKerLindsay Otto was German and expelled, as far as I recall. As for Vilhelm (George I), we had a tradition in Denmark of including in the king’s title the peoples he reigned over (apart from Denmark proper), and he came from a family with strong family values, so that may have inspired him. Apart from that, he was a shy 17-year old, so the concept “king of a country” might have seemed overwhelming - his sisters were Queen Alexandra of England and Tsarina Dagmar (Maria Feodorovna) of Russia. ;)
@@lvoldum Thanks! The Greeks always present it as a deliberate decision designed to reinforce the Megali idea. It’s interesting to think that it may have had different origins.
@James Ker-Lindsay Certainly, η μεγάλη ιδέα plays an important role, but I think Vilhelm has been very open to the concept. He really threw himself all in to be Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων - he quickly learned Greek, abolished the unelected senate, etc.
No mention of Haiti being the first country to recognize Greek independence in 1822? It is also reported that Haiti sent massive amounts of coffee to Greece as a ressource that could be sold for weaponry
Thanks so much. I never knew that! Incredible. As someone who works on recognition and Greece, I’d really like to look into this more. Many thanks again.
Great video James, basically we see the continuation of the fight of borders in the dispute between sea borders/eez in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas between Greece and Cyprus on the one hand and Turkey on the other.
Thank you so much. Indeed. Although the borders were settled in 1923, there have been some changes (the Dodecanese in 1947) and alterations to international law that have led to the tensions we have seen recently. With goodwill, they would actually be relatively easy to resolve. Sadly, that is lacking in the current climate. We just need to hope that tensions don’t flare up again and lead to conflict. It is really worrying.
@@JamesKerLindsay Dear friend, THE instrument to resolve the tension between Turkey-Greece exists! Is called UNCLOS III (United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea) No goodwill, no good faith! Just the Law! Then why they don't use it? Ask Turkey. Turkey is not contacting Party of the Convention. I wonder why not!
@@JamesKerLindsay You had to look more for an updated map or change the name yourself with an image editor. It's very easy. This acts as a provocation for us Greeks and for this reason I will downvote an otherwise good video.
@@JamesKerLindsay I see you are fascinated by history and that is why I will set you a historical challenge, to deal with the ways in which the Ottoman Empire was enforce on other peoples. There, you may discover facts and truths that others later used to enforce themselves. Yes, I know it is a difficult task in every way and very sensitive and a lot of work but believe me you will discover many "skeletons buried" in this closet of history, maybe many more than you can imagine. And at the end of the day the Historical truth is what counts, because we humans learn from our mistakes, that is the objective of the history and not to argue who has the "bigger" hahahaha Good day to have dear friend. just α Greek .
@Jordan & Jordan Greece has always been on the right side. In the club of civilized countries with cultural values and constantly seeks peace. Greece drove out the darkness brought by the Turks and thus was liberated, then sided with the allies in two world wars and stopped the schizophrenic Hitler. Turkey, Albania, Romania Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine were on the side of the most criminal man in history. Hitler. You have no right to talk about what Greece did.
BTW please do not forget the 11 other Greek revolutions that took place during the 400yrs of Ottoman rule, thus paving the way for the 1821 revolution.
This is very well done, the graphics are great and really add to it. The Ionian Islands are really fascinating, not colonized by the Ottomans but instead by Venice all the way until the republic’s destruction by France and Napoleon, who also took the islands, and then by Britain, at first under military control and then later as a British protectorate but one of the more oddly administered ones, as the local government under British protection was not, as in the case of most British protectorates, a monarchy, but was instead a classical republic; it was nonetheless a full protectorate of the British Empire.
Thanks so much. Yes, the Ionians are fascinating. It might be an interesting story to return to. (I also hope to do Turkey as part of this series. I had to cover the War of Independence very briefly, but that is an amazing story in its own right.) And thanks so much for the comment on the graphics!! You’ve made my day. They took me ages. I recently upgraded my computer (m1 Mac mini) and some of my software and have been learning photoshop. (I’ve also been working on the audio.) It is allowing me to do a lot more and much faster, but this was still very fiddly. It was all the islands! :-) But it is so nice to have it spotted! Thanks.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I have been really overwhelmed by the positive responses, especially as I touched on a couple of issues that I know are still incredibly sensitive.
Thank you. I am well aware that the country is called North Macedonia. I did a video on it. But you might like to take a few moments to think that it takes time for many sites to update their maps. (Interestingly, most Greeks here have really appreciated the video and the spirit in which it was made. You are just one of three so far who has instead focused in on the name. It really is quite depressing how, even now, some are obsessively fixated on the name issue. You won. They’ve changed their name. Everyone accepts it. Get over it.)
@@JamesKerLindsay Nope thats not it. It has to do with being accurate. Foreign political games in expense of a country's sovereignty are very dangerous economically and historically. Its the same with cyprus issue. And the same with turkey's threats against Greece for 30 years disputing the very borders you analyzed. So please dont talk down to me like I'm some kind of ethnisist with that tone. I'm just someone who loves his country and very critical when it does something wrong. Also many greeks didn't get over it cause the deal was to renounce any cultural claims of identity of ancient greek macedonia. They didn't. To stop teaching their schools about their lost capital Salonica and that they are descendants of Alexander the Great. They didn't. Also They are using the brand "Macedonian" (not north macedonia) on products witch have a negative effect on our products and our economy. Cause they are delicasies and have a strong impact in local Macedonian buisnesses. We are a country surrounded by countries were their practises are questionable at best and the "Union" does it best to undermine us every time on our diplomacy. Like the Evros incident when Erdogan unleashed 50000 illegal refugees on our borders with the support of his army. So excuse me if I'm not getting over it. I didn't say I didn't appriciate your video. I point out an inaccuracy. An inaccuracy caused by the americans and the EU. And since you are so good in international law i suggest doing a analytic video with turkey's policies against Greece and EU stabbing us in the back again with recent events. Good day to you. Next time try not to be so judgemental with that tone. I just pointed out. But If you want I can dance too. OPA!
@@JamesKerLindsay To be fair Mr James the name of Skopje was never our decision. EU and NATO pressured and made us their problem to be our own. The people of Greece never agreed to this. They were massive protests against decision. If you think the greek people are obsessed for something petty like this you clearly not greek and you cannot understand. And I dont blame you for it. We didn't won. We lost. The whole world knows skopje as Macedonia which historically inaccurate and many historians agree on this. But for very few things the name North Macedonia will be used.This dream they have is a propaganda of a dictator who poisoned their minds with a false identity. We never accept the name. This wans't a democratic decision. And Sotiris is right. Until this day they have maps in their classrooms that they show that Skpje has the whole Macedonia with their capital as Salonica. Which means that they still manipulating their youth with lies and false information. I can assure you that in our classrooms we never had maps with the Great Idea. We teaching that we made terrible mistakes but many sacrifices to get heare we are now too. Nevertheless I thank you for your video.
@@sts9865 Thank you. I know how this issue upset many Greeks. As it happens, I actually speak Greek and lived in Athens at one time. I have also spent most of my academic career working on Greece, a country I have a very strong affection for. But, because of all this, I also know how much damage the issue did to Greece’s reputation over many decades and how many Greeks felt embarrassed by the over zealous way that some of their compatriots responded to the issue. My annoyance is at the way some people continue to fight this battle and do so in a way that is usually unpleasant and rather xenophobic. (Fortunately it is actually a surprisingly few who now do, but UA-cam has a habit of bringing out the worst in some people.) While many may not be happy with the Prespa Accords, most seem willing to accept - even grudgingly - that it’s now done and it’s time to move on.
Thank you so much! I actually speak Greek. (I lived in both Greece and Cyprus.) But it’s not often I am accused of perfect pronunciation. It might sound good over a couple of words, but any longer than that and I most definitely sound like a Brit butchering Greek. 😂
@@marcopolo2395 No don’t be stupid and it’s pronounced Konstantinopojë and written the same way since he was Illyrian. The Turks changed its name to Istanbul.
@@marcopolo2395 as I said Greece lost nothing, only gained. If we are talking about the real Greece then Peloponnese maybe with the islands like Create and other small islands too south of Greece because Korfuz is Albanian and Chamëria alois the real Greece. Anything more then Peloponnese is stolen. Stolen territories by Greece. Korfuz, Chamëria, Aegen Macedonia and Thrace. Konstantinopojë belong to Byzantium Empire not Greece. Byzantium Empire lost it in battle not Greece. It’s named after an Illyrian Constantine the Great.
No they were exchanged with Muslim population living in Greece in 1922 under the Lausanne Treaty and the idea of population exchange was that of Venizelos. What happened during WWI was the consequences of war as Greek army invaded Asia Minor all the way to interior and they were resisted by nationalist forces.
@@crocustorrent5093 yeah the defence is u murdered most of them,my grandma came to Greece in the underwear at 5 years old coming from a rich family in smirna, both her parents were killed Infront of her.
Konstantinos Mpoudronikolas yes for sure on the contrary the ones exchanged from Greece in return came happy, in excellent health and perfectly prosperous conditions
Konstantinos Mpoudronikolas yes of course, Christians in the Balkans were angels during the Balkan wars and WWI. They did not even think of deportations and atrocities towards muslims and one another.
Thank you very much! It was such an interesting story to tell. I had wanted to do it for ages, but the bicentennial was the perfect moment. My warmest congratulations to all Greeks celebrating this week!
Greece maybe didint get all its lands today but we are still standing proud and see what our ancestors have done, and how incredible were the things they had done, greetings from the Hellenic Republic!
Weird. Some of the most vital facts missed: a) KAPODISTRIAS; b) Greece gained its independence despite British opposition, and thanks to Russia (real historians, but not many IR theorists, are fully aware of the Anglo-Russian Protocol of 1826, of which you appear to be unaware. The FCDO are probaby happy, however, with the presentation.
William, it is a 15 minute video. It is not meant to be the definitive documentary on the subject. Whole university modules can be, and are are, taught on this. Moreover, it is also aimed at general interest viewers, rather than Greeks - let alone historians of Modern Greece. It is always a very fine line between providing enough information to tell the story, and not so much as to overwhelm viewers. So, yes, there is a lot missing. Obviously, so. But for what I hoped it would do, I have been pleased that so many Greeks have actually seen fit to welcome it as a fair and informative video to mark a remarkable anniversary.
@@WilliamMallinson Yes. He is. I accept that. I had a section on origins of the movement, and divisions amongst Greeks on the subject of independence, that were cut out. If the story had focused on events up to 1832 then I agree it would have been unforgivable to miss him out - and others. But I decided to use this video to discuss irredentism. This meant telling the broad sweep of history. The events leading up to independence were given shorter shrift than I would have given them had it been more focused on just those events. I also did a video on Australia that took a broad arc view of history. Again, the channel is aimed a general viewers, mostly interested in international relations. So, I try to relate the videos to broader IR themes. And as I always say to people, I welcome viewers using the comments section to - politely - point out information that is missed or offer corrections.
a very respectful and historical accurate video about greece. i would like to mention that you could had included the most importart tries of the older revolutions that tried to set greece free like the great revolution of the 1770 , the known as orlofika, that had much impact on the generation that started the revolution of 1821, 50 years later. the revolution of 1821 was not just one revolution but the last succesful try for the greeks to set free.
Very nice presentation! It is really fascinating to live the 200th anniversary of the hellenic state, especially in such a difficult period where the covid-19 pandemic has changed so much.
Thanks a lot. I actually want to a video on Albanian independence as part of this series. It is also such a fascinating story, and one that took a very different direction to the Greek case.
@@JamesKerLindsay Please include the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus of 1914 in it, so our Albanian friends learn some real history they hide them.
@@aokiaoki4238 Jamie dident mentioned Arvanit are Albanian the same as Arberesh of Italy so is story is made up from fake country and 1821 was not greek warr of independent but for freedom of people just after the war the great powers made this fake nacion
Cypriot here, proud to have Greece in this world. As 80% of Cyprus was consisted by Greek Cypriots at the time, the unity would make great sense. Unfortunately though, there is also a troublemaker neighbor which doesn't make life any easier (for any country really). That's in the past though and what now is left for peace is for Cyprus to be unified, not with Greece, but with Cypriots..from the north and every corner of the globe. I hope one day we will achieve that and that the known troublemaker of mediterranean (Turkey) will just let us and all its neighbors be ✌. Great video once again 👏👏.
Yeah troublemaking neighbor aka guarantor of the independent Cyprus that prevented the asshole neighbor from annexing it unrighteously and stopped massacres "20%" had to face.
25 March 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the start of the Greek War of Independence. It was one of the most important independence movements in modern history. But it was not the end of the story. Its would be another 120 years before Greece assumed its final borders. In any case, my very best wishes to Greeks celebrating the anniversary!
Great way to end the week with an awesome James Ker Lindsay video! And Indeed my Congratulations to all Greeks on this important anniversary!
Almost accurate the description BUT you have the talk more in depth about the greek expansions and the ethnic cleansing they produced and the population exchange between grece and turkey.
Russia liberated them and Bavaria fixed them: ua-cam.com/video/M99ze151HvA/v-deo.html
It gets me baffled when I see what sort of damage a mad Bavarian caused to us Albanians.
I am amaized to see how brainwashed people like u are. I am half ARVANITR. if u know what this mean than you are hiding the truth and if u dont go and see what primary sorces say about us. My grandparents are from Katerina, thesalia and we are not Greeks we have Albanian blood. We speak Albanian language, we are orthodox and we have the same culture and clothes, those clothes who greeks made them miniskirt. Shame on u.
@@Jurgen_Ibro greetinga from an half Arvanite bro. Modern greeks are anatolians. Hope the best for Albania and for all christian Albanians
Excellent job in describing 200 years of existence of the modern Greek state in
Thank you so much Yorgos! It wasn’t easy. And there was obviously so much I had to miss out. (As there usually is.) But it is an incredible story, and one that has a huge influence on the creation of so many other countries. My congratulations to all Greeks celebrating next week.
Your video could and should, if you ask me, be shown as a summarizing tool in class after finishing history lessons about the greek independence!! So detailed but at the same time easy to understand, follow and remember!! I'm 36 yrs old and just enjoyed this! Excellent 👌! Thank you so much 🥰
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
@@stephiepapa1693 bore people to death with lies. Yeah, right.
The Greek Independence is a great chapter of the history of Europe. It is also a great success story: Greece stands out in south Europe and the mediterranean as a beacon of freedom, democracy, stability and prosperity despite the endless hardship it went through the last 200 years (countless wars, earthquakes etc). It is by any account one of the most developed nations on earth. Which is Greece's greatest weapon through history? Its language! The Greek language has the longest documented history of any living Indo-European language, spanning at least 3,400 years of written records. Very few people realise that Greek is also a sacred language. Most people know that Arabic is the sacred language of Muslims, because the Quran is in Arabic. But which is the sacred language of Christianity, the biggest religion of this planet with more than 2 billion followers? It is Greek, the language of the Gospels. Very few nations can boast that with their language, culture, art, philosophy have shaped the world (China, India, Italy, France, England, Israel, Saudi Arabia), one of them, perhaps the smallest in size, Greece, has had the the greatest and most enduring cultural impact! Just recall that the most used word of this planet on 2020 was a Greek one, Pandemic!
Thanks so much. All great points. It is indeed an amazing chapter in the history of Europe. It was also incredibly influential on so many other independence movements - perhaps second only to the US War of Independence. And the Ancient Greek legacy also helped to secure wider European support for its cause.
Baya yunan tarihine meraklı birisin sanırım. Türkiyede böyle insan bulmak zor.
I guess you are very interested in Greek history. Hard to find people like that in Turkey.
Great comment Mehmet
Yes, Greek culture is infused into a 2000 year old book that nobody reads anymore, unless they have to.
Still, nice to know that someone could figure out a positive perspective. Save the mentally impaired, there's eleven million people in Greece who struggle to see the positive and fail completely unceremoniously.
I will totally agree. It is the most successful comment I have ever read for Greece!
Love Hellas 🇬🇷🇬🇷from the PRC🇨🇳!
Hopes our relationship will be good forever!
🇬🇷 ❤️ 🇨🇳
@Jordan & Jordan Greece history is made up. Greece used to have Ethiopian slaves.
@Jordan & Jordan You are the definition of "clinically defective". I assume you dont even have a normal life, only sitting on your chair possibly weighing over 200 lbs and thinking you do smth great by writing utter bs. Which you pull out of your arse.
Continue on buddy, Life is good. Aint it? 😉
@@khaybar6108 Hi, made up slave!🤣
As a Greek i want to thank you all for your kind words :). May our unity in our common fight for freedom, justice and philotimia create a world where we are all proud to call home!
Lots of love form Greece! :)
Thank you so much. I actually lived in Greece at one point and have always felt a strong attachment to the country. It is an amazing story.
It is a difficult task to talk about that subject in fifteen minutes. Yet you managed to start by the Byzantium linking medieval and modern Greece, something not many channels on UA-cam have attempted. Despite the omitted details that may change the essence of video's concept you did a remarkable job. Well done.
Thanks. It was a bit of a challenge and unfortunately I did have to leave out lots of information. But I hope it’s a useful overview for people, especially those who don’t know much about the history of Greece.
And you’re absolutely right. The Byzantine aspect is really important. I have always loved Byzantine history. (Psellus - 14 Byzantine Rulers is one of the great texts of eyewitness historiography. His account of Constantine IX Monomachos is just wonderful.) But we weren’t taught about it in school. I’ve always argued that you can’t understand modern Greece without understanding the Byzantine legacy.
@@JamesKerLindsay You are absolutely correct about that Mr. Ker-Lindsay! 👍
The mountains look on Marathon - And Marathon looks on the sea; And musing there an hour alone - I dream’d that Greece be free........Lord Byron
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@khaybar6108 you can’t even construct a proper grammatical structured sentence 😂
@@psi1378 sure, history land stealer. 🤣🤣🤣
@@khaybar6108 are you 🦃?
Fascinating story which I didn't know much about before. I wonder how much the Greeks inspired Ireland to do the same.
Thanks. I think many independence movements were inspired by it. Probably second only to the United States in terms of its wider influence. Helped by the fact that it was a cause célèbre of its day. Lord Byron and others.
@Jordan & Jordan Byzantine history is medieval greek history.... Slavic history now, like ur 'macedonian' history, very hard to follow as you didn't have an alphabet or written language until greeks christianised and educated you to spread orthodoxy ......
As A Greek this video is very interesting
Thank you. It is actually quite a personal one for me as I used to live in Greece.
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
@@giorgosgalanos9888 you are a thief just like Slavs of Macedonia.
@@giorgosgalanos9888 you lot are the last one to call anyone a crook.
@@khaybar6108 What are you; An albanian; turk;; gypsy;;; Hehe
as a greek myself im proud of all the history we carry for all these centuries and im really happy that other nations still know and think about us and support us. From all the people around greece...we thank you🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷💙💙💙!!(and yes i know my spelling isn't great)
Thank you so much. And don’t worry, your spelling is great. Although I speak Greek, my written Greek is truly terrible! 🙂
what are you proud about exactly? is it the luxury of not having to actually fight? lands being handed to you by big brothers? loans being paid by big brothers? lmao 🤣🤣🤣
@@alparslanelmali we are proud of our history and nationality also we for example do not want conflict with others unlike you . good day to you!
Yeah, be proud. Don’t forget to say thank you Albanians.
@@Cyberi0nix597 Greece doesn’t want conflict? Since when? You steal land and history and you don’t want conflict? People will want Conflict with Greece.
The only country that didnt wished Greece for the anniversary of the 200th independence day was Germany....no problem we will invite them to the parade for the 28 of October.
I shouldn’t laugh. But I did! :-)
Probably because of the turks living in this country..
@@evangeliar.7600 Ή επειδή ήταν πάντα εχθροί του Ελληνισμού...
@iwonnatube well that doesnt change much since Germany never really supported Greece we see that since 1800 so.... cheers
Even our main enemy Turkey congratulate Greece.
Shame in Germany even not invited or not. Should congratulate Greece 200 years independence.
They call it European Union. I don't believe it exists. Shame in German politics.
Thank you for this video James. My country got inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution and the notion of the ''nation-state'' and actually managed to inspire other nations in the process. It's true, independence in the early 19th century didn't come easy. Millions of Greeks had already died fighting for freedom in the course of 400 years of Ottoman oppression. Many more died in wars that followed like the Crimean War, Balkan Wars, WWI and WWII, the 1919 war with Turkey, the Korean War and many many smaller wars that are largely unknown to the rest of the world. We thank them and honor them. We wouldn't exist without their sacrifice. Happy Independence Day to every Greek out there.
Thanks. I completely agree. It is a fascinating story that was inspired by France and the United States, but also went on to inspire others as well. And my warmest congratulations to all Greeks celebrating around the world this week!
Even though Greece ended up on the rough end of the stick in many aspects, I still think that its culture, language and story are pretty remarkable, and it's at least a small glimmer of hope for a return to greatness that our ancestors never cowered, they ALWAYS fought to preserve our independence and liberate our people so that maybe one day we could live in peace and harmony. Greetings to you, thanks for this anniversary video 😊
Thank you. I couldn't let the 200th anniversary pass! The Greek independence movement has had such an important impact on others around the world. Perhaps second only to the United States in terms of its wider significance. (Also, Greece is a special place for me as I used to live in Athens.)
@@JamesKerLindsay that's cool! Yeah, I noticed that you had a pretty precise accent when pronouncing the Μεγάλη Ιδέα. Fun fact it was also called the "Greece of Two Continents and of Five Seas" or in Greek "Ελλάς των Δύο Ηπείρων και των Επτά Θαλασσών". This is referencing of course Europe and Asia, but can you guess which five seas it meant?
PS to a Greek person like me, with roots all across these lands, my grandma from Smyrna, my grandpa from Epirus, other grandma from Constantinople and finally my paternal one from Peloponnese, I really feel it when we're talking about the liberation of Greece. Also, I have many friends from Cyprus and Pontus (which you didn't mention that much, but that's ok) and as far as I know, people especially in Cyprus see Unification with Greece as making much more sense than a reunification of their island, especially now that many Turks have migrated there. But political reasons would never allow for that I guess. If there's any reason for different states to exist, that's to represent their different peoples on a global stage and not have their rights or uniqueness trampled by other bigger nations/corporations. So if a Greek state has any reason to exist, that should be to host the Greeks, not for political reasons. So for example, now I hear that the two countries' leaders don't want to ever unite even if Turkey evacuates Cyprus, because by being 2 different states, they can "hack" the EU security council and Veto decisions to be enforced on one or the other. To me this makes no sense. Buy the same logic, Germany should split in East/West, France into France and Provence, Italy into Padania and Italy and Spain into Spain and Catalonia.
@@georgios_5342 interesting video, although it looks like the tide has turned in the last century. They lost Constantinople, Smyrna and the north of Cyprus in the last hundred years. With Europe declining, and greece’s demographic troubles, it’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next century.
@@khaldrago911Numbers were never in favor of Greece.
Look at the Turks. They had a strong empire with many, many ethnic minorities. They still trying to forcefully assimilate them and yet they can't succeed because they lack the secret ingredient. It's called civilization. Only through an interesting, highly civilised culture you can really assimilate different Ethnicities. Think about it and you might understand why Greeks, although they were never n millions, they're continuing to survive.
@@khaldrago911 According to the Turkish Statistical organization the population of Turkey in 2050 will reach almost 100 millions with over 1/3 of them being Kurds. Imagine that...
Time's a bitch and if you lack the secret, essential ingredient you won't survive. The 13th Century great Persian mystic Poet, Jalal-AL Din Rumi wrote "The Greeks are to create, the Turks to destroy. The Light and the Dark"
History is full of such paradigms.
At the end, with one or another way, Light's prevails!
"Greeks, God has signed our liberty and will not take his signature back" Theodoros Kolokotronis
God doesn't exist you fool
@@onzi10000 Still is a badass quote
And Greeks send Albanians from cameri to Turkey and they take Persians from Turks. Greeks are country of religion not of identity
Po, Theodor Bythguri!
@@hellenicnationalist5483
🤣🤣
Ella - Ellah--Allah middle east rooted religions.
Roots of Bythguri is "Arberor.. He used to call the god as " Zot" not as ella.
You can change the name but not the roots! 🇦🇱
Zoti e deshi Arber lindi Arber🇦🇱
A truly mysterious country, Greece is in a league of its own😃 but then an inspiration to would-be nations around the world.
Thanks. Yes. As I’ve said elsewhere, I’ve often thought of it as the second most influential independence movement after the United States.
@@JamesKerLindsay Nonsense. That's a very narrow minded western view.
@iwonnatube you have seeing the world through your perspective. My nationality has nothing to do with it. I'm half German, quarter french and quarter Italian. If the same question was posed in Japan you would have a very different answer.
@iwonnatube No. German full and full. But why would that matter?
@@onzi10000 Well, it's his view, respect it.
You're entitled to make your own narrow minded eastern video.
Ζήτω η Ελλάδα μας!
Ζήτω, ρε φίλε... δεν κοστίζει τίποτα σε τελική ανάλυση
@Jordan & Jordan Get a life Παπάρα!!!!
@Jordan & Jordan The only way for you to exist is to be a thief. You have no identity on your own so you have to steal the identity of other people. You are a crook.
@Jordan & Jordan you are correct
Celebrating the Greek War of Independence is no time for pettiness! I read many bitter and insulting comments against the Greek people mostly coming from Albanians, Turks, Slavomavedonians and few Russians. Just comparing the standards of living and Human Development Index statuses of those countries with the Greek ones explain their bitterness and pettiness. It is a mere proof of the Greek greatness. As a Turk I wish to congratulate my Greek brothers and sisters on their Independence Day, I wish the next 200 years be years of prosperity, freedom and cultural grandeur both for Greece and for all its neighbors! Zito i Hellas!
Oh!
Thank you komsu , we love our (sane) neighbours too.
@ττ ττ scroll down more
Hello my friend Mehmet.
Absolute respect to your words and your way of thinking.
After all... there is more things that we have in common then those that separate us.
Everyday people who go on with their life and struggle for a better future for themselves and their grandchildren try to see far ahead. And everyday people aspire only to happiness. And happiness does not exist in material things. We everyday people on all sides of the Mediterranean know that very well. Greetings from Greece.
You are too conspicuous, your master Fethullah Gülen made the same praises to Greece a few days earlier, he even used the same sentences as you
During a time when things looked particularly bleak for the Revolution, Greek General Theodore Kolokotronis (pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence) asked the British Admiral Hamilton's advice on what the best course of action would be.
Hamilton responded (quite truthfully) that the most prudent thing to do would be to negotiate the Greek surrender with Great Britain guaranteeing for their lives.
“ That can never be “ responded the General, “ We've already pledged Freedom or Death !
Our Basileus (Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos) was slain, he signed no treaty ! Ever since his Guard was always at War with the Turks and two forts remained forever indomitable ”.
Hamilton was baffled by this statement. What Basileus, what King? The one who fell in battle 400 years ago?
“What Royal Guard, what forts are you talking about ?” he asked.
Kolokotronis responded “The Guard of our Basileus are those they call Klephts, the forts are Mani and Souli and the mountains”.
Then Hamilton spoke no more...
Excerpt from the notable book “Memoirs of Theodoros Kolokotronis”.
HAPPY INDEPENDENT
DAY HELLAS
THE BLESSING LAND
OF THE MOTHER EARTH
🇬🇷✝️🇨🇾✝️🇬🇷✝️🇨🇾✝️🇬🇷
from
New Zealand 🇬🇷✝️🇳🇿
@Jordan & Jordan
Hi brother
IS ONLY ONE
MAKEDONIA 🇬🇷✝️🇬🇷
Yiannis
New Zealand 🇬🇷🇳🇿
@Jordan & Jordan
What are you brother??
Bulgarian or mongol
@@yiannisosfp1621 What are you Pakistani or Afghani?
@Jordan & Jordan nope they are Greek look it up
@Jordan & Jordan 'The Hellenic World' is a term which refers to that period of ancient Greek history between 507 BCE (the date of the first democracy in Athens) and 323 BCE (the death of Alexander the Great). ... This is the time of the great Golden Age of Greece and, in the popular imagination, resonates as 'ancient Greece'.
Δίνω πανελληνιες του χρόνου και έχω να πω ότι η ιστορία είναι το μάθημα που βρίσκω πιο ενδιαφέρον και συναρπαστικό από όλα. Χρόνια πολλά Ελλάδα. Τιμή σε όσους πέθαναν για την πατρίδα. Η δικιά μας γενιά έχει να διεκδικήσει μια αλλού είδους απελευθέρωση..
An se endiaferei i istoria mathe na psaxneis...ereuna, piges, arxeia..
Καλή επιτυχία, φίλε μου! - εύχομαι όλα να πάνε όπως ποθείς. Ιστορία: τα πάντα είναι Ιστορία.
Cool scribbles
ΩΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΑΣ Η 25 ΜΑΡΤΙΟΥ 1821 ΕΙΝΑΙ ΨΕΜΑ ΠΛΑΣΙΟΠΟΙΗΜΕΝΟ ΑΠΟ ΗΛΙΘΙΟΥΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ ΕΘΝΙΚΙΣΤΕΣ!
Οι Τούρκοι είναι αδέρφια μας.
As a Greek, this is a perfect, fact-based video. Good job!
Thank you very much indeed. I had wanted to do this video for a long time. I actually lived in Greece (and Cyprus) and speak Greek. (But my writing is atrocious!) It is an amazing story. Many congratulations on the anniversary.
@@JamesKerLindsay Your greek accent when saying Μεγαλη Ιδεα was perfect
@@MegaKoutsou Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🙂 I’m not often accused of having a good accent and so really appreciate it. But you should hear it when I say anything longer. 😂😂😂
@Jordan & Jordan They should watch Skai documantary of so called Greece.
@iwonnatube If I was a Turk I would be proud. Because then I can say to people we made Greece our bitch for 400 years and ended up fighting the Albanians. But not a Turk my Iraqi friend.
Nice view of the subject! Although, the Greek Revolution didn't start just in the lands of modern Greece. Cyprus, Smyrna and even places in the Northern Balkans, such as Iasi in Romania raised the banner of the Greek Revolution.
Yes. Indeed. It stated in Moldavia - and before 25 March. I had thought to put it in, but in a short video like this it always becomes a balance between trying to provide enough detail for those who know a region and too much for those who don’t and could become confused. (I actually also had a bit in the script about how the independence movement also divided Greeks. Another fascinating story. I once spent Greek Independence Day on an island in the Aegean where they were all celebrating. At one point a historian I was with leaned over and with a wry smile told me that it was all hypocrisy. The island had in fact declared neutrality at the start of the War!)
Its started in Macedonia and Epirus as well.
Romania served as base for a lot of people to launch their national movements. Same thing happened with Albania
I forgot to mention in stated in Asia Minor as well but ended up in massacres
@@JamesKerLindsay You may have been in central Aegean island. Because those Greeks have been converted to Catholic Church since 4th Crusade, and they stayed neutral due to fear of loosing their privileges in case of failure.
Beautiful history! Thank you for this lesson. We keep learning by the day.
Thank you! I hope you are well.
I've been looking for years for a video like this. Thank you
Thanks. Reply glad it helps. Ironically, I’m in Greece at the moment. :-)
Accurate as always James! Keep up the good work,the limit is the sky!Greetings from Greece .
Thank you so much Nikos. Many congratulations to you and all Greeks around the world celebrating today!
@@JamesKerLindsay On behalf of my compatriots ,we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. l hope this day's message to be spread all around the world were everyone would live in peace and harmony.
Thank you James. If only Greece did not go inland stretching it’s supply lines and just defended the region of Smyrna.
Thanks. That’s a really interesting point. Obviously, the Treaty of Sevres was seen as a humiliation by the Turkish Nationslists, but one wonders how things might have panned out if, as you say, Greece had focused on consolidating what it had rather than pushing inland. The question of Eastern Thrace is also interesting. I didn’t go into detail on that. That could have been a much easier gain for Greece.
@@JamesKerLindsay Yes James you are right on Eastern Thrace. I think this was Eleftherios Venizelos biggest diplomatic mistakes. From what I have read, even after the Asia Minor failure Greece had a capable force to defend Eastern Thrace, but basically gave it away.
@@ted1452 What are you talking about? Asia minor catastrophe wasnt Eleftherios Venizelos mistake. He lost the elections in 1920 from the anti-Venizelos party who spread lies that he wanted to continue the war inland. When they came to power they were the ones who wanted to continue with the dream of taking credit of the eradication of the turks. Eleftherios Venizelos was the one who wanted to stop the war. He had very good diplomatic relations with Kemal we could had Smyrna and eastern thrace if he didnt lost the elεctions. Eleftherios Venizelos was the best diplomatic leader and politician we ever had until today.
@@sotoskun861 The question that Ted put is why Eastern Thrace was returned by Venizelos in 1923. Population percentages might have had something to do with this.
@@jortheo I still dont understand. We never got eastern thrace. It was part of a treaty it never came to be. We had briefly eastern thrace during the war.
The genesite of Greeks in Asia Minor in 1923 will never be forgotten!!!!!Turkey will once pay for what they have done!!!!!!
genocide*
Thank to Russia and to venizelos genocide was successful
@@marthoula1977 Its not Venizelos fault is the kinks fault
@@marcustilliuscicero7642 I won't analyse this
Greeks aren't Asians tho
Thanks for this video 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Bill Nat ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
@Bill Nat ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
love greece from israel 🇮🇱♥️🇬🇷
Am Yisrael chai! Love from Greece 🇬🇷💙🇮🇱
@MrPolinikis oh shut up
@MrPolinikis lol what truth?
Your just angry about this topic and commant stupid things like this one
@MrPolinikis oh whait your talking about slavadonia?
Lmao
Its not over...
KALI LEUTERIA
Thank you my friend
Wow, it's kind of crazy to see a country that can directly trace its cultural roots back to almost the dawn of human civilization. Greece has to be one of if not the oldest civilization to have a direct, unbroken line of culture and heritage from the classical period to the modern era.
I am so pleased to have discovered your channel. You analyses are well researched, well-told, and accurate. I am pressing the "subscribe button" now.
Sas efcharisto para poly, Anastasie! I really appreciate it! Greetings from London. :-)
Greetings from Greece
Magnificent analysis no one could have done it better!!!! Very precise and not biased at all, historically accurate!!!!! Perfect!!! I would propose that you would go over a lot of details on a future small clip on the Treaty Of Lausanne that would clarify a lot of things that people do not know till today!!!! Like the status of all the Greek islands plus the treaties of the straits which is also of vital importance.
Thank you so much. So glad to hear that you liked it! :-) Great point about Lausanne. I did discuss it in another video exploring the origins of Greek-Turkish tensions. But I do hope to come back to it. There are also some other issues I’d like to cover, such as the population exchanges.
HAPPY 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY GREECE
FROM ALBANIA 🇦🇱🤝🇬🇷
Of course they should be happy. Not being there fighting. Who fought the Ottomans, the Albanians.
Endi Lasku qenke shpërla nga trruni.
Thank you my friend!
@@thomasthomas6330 don’t go that far. Albanians are friends to each other.
@@khaybar6108 What do you mean?
@@thomasthomas6330 I mean real friends is with ourselves. You might thank him but not friends.
Great video James! Greece is a beautiful country. With a rich history, delicious food and friendly people. What's not to like?
Keep up the good work! I am loving your vids! 🙂😉
Thank you so much. I really appreciate the support.
I agree, and also the language is the most beautiful in the world 🌏❤🇬🇷🌍❤🇬🇷🌎❤🇬🇷🇺🇲❤🇬🇷
Congratulations for your video . You describe very precise all the events .
Thanks you very much indeed. I really appreciate it. It really is an incredibly story. I often say that I think it is probably the second most influential independence movement after the UnitedStates. Many other movements were inspired by it.
Wonderfully informative video. I checked a language map of the region after you mentioned Greece's desire to annex Asia minor + Constantinople and was curious why Greek would want Turkish speaking land - the later ethnic cleansing answered my question.
Thank you so much. The population exchange was something that I didn’t cover in as much detail as I should have. I might try to come back to it. What was fascinating was that it was based on religion, not ethnic identification. Many Christian Turkish speakers suddenly found themselves in Greece and many Greek speaking Muslims suddenly found themselves in Turkey. It must have been horrifically traumatic for so many of them.
Actually, from the population exchange, the Greeks of Constantinople and the Muslims of Thrace where excluded, however after the pogrom of Constantinople (1955), most Greeks living there were expelled. In general, its considered that more than 10 million Greeks/Christians were living in Asia Minor before 1922.
Annex (No)
Regain (Yes)
@@pendrewluo8327 Exactly.
How do people not know this?
@@dimitrisoikonomou3568 10 million is overrated (i'm greek), but 2 -3 million i think.
Would love to see your take on the ancient Greek world and their legacy on modern Europe.
Πολύ καλό βίντεο , I'm now a subscriber.
Thanks so much. I hadn’t thought of going that far back. But it might be interesting to look at the idea of statehood in the ancient world. Great suggestion!
Great work Professor ! I am amazed you pronounce greek words perfectly ! Greetings from Athens !!!
Great vid, I feel like it would’ve great to mention the conflict over North epirus as well
Thank you very much. I did want to do more on that, and several other aspects of the emergence of Modern Greece. But unfortunately in any 15 minute video it becomes a fine balance between providing enough information into get the point across and cramming in too much information, which can divert the narrative and become confusing for people new to the subject. But I do plan to come back to Epirus in one way or another, whether as a video on Greek-Albanian relations or a video on Albania as part of this series on how countries became independent. But thanks again for raising it.
North Epirus is another Fascist idea for expanding Greece my friend. First, there is no such a cause, and second Epirus has never been Hellenic. But before talking of Epirus, lets first talk about Çameria. It would be much more faire.
@@aldix1646 north Epirus 100 years ago was majority Greek. Chams aren’t native to Epirus they came during medieval times as immigrants. Greeks on the other hand have been in Epirus since ancient times while albanians were not.
@@JamesKerLindsay
Thank God you should make a video about them.
Because they are accusing us of stealing their identity and history...
@@aldix1646 Tell to Rama if touch any Greek from North epirus again we will take Albania in 4 hours
Just stumbled onto your excellent channel - immediately subscribed! Greetings from Greece.
Thank you very much indeed. Warmest greetings from London!
James Ker-Lindsay - Cheers! 🙂
Even if not really detailed, its still a really good video considering it lasts 14 minutes. As a greek thank you for this presentation of the history of my country, especially on the 200th years anniversary. A person to do your research and if you want, a video on is Ioannis Kapodistrias. He was first Governor of Greece and a really interesting figure. A doctor that eventually turned joint minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Empire, a big political opponent of Metternich due to his different ideas regarding the post napoleonic Europe, a big supporter of the greek indepedence war even if he had spoken against an armed uprising, since he considered the conditions not ideal for such an action and a figure that met a very tragic end.
Congratulations!!It was an excellent presentation of the historical events that led to the independence of Greece.Greece could be much bigger if the Greeks did not have a very big enemy.....the Greeks!
very interesting video. thank you.
Thanks! I hope all is well at your end. Hoping to make it over to join you all this evening.
For anyone up for some discussion on the UK, Europe and other current affairs, do take a look at Max Robespierre ua-cam.com/channels/SiYkMylC3F_eQfIodMHkOw.html
Hi James..!! Hope you are well... great video as always and my admiration for being able to recount the entire story in just under 14mins..!! All the best to you.. g
Hi George, so great to hear from you! I hope that all is well at your end. It wasn't easy to condense it all. :-) As you can imagine, I had to leave out a lot of things I would have liked to include. But it is amazing story. And, of course, I have a special affection for Greece, having lived there at one point. Next week's anniversary is certainly a cause for celebration!
By the way, if anyone else sees this comment, do check out George's channel. It is great. Absolutely stunning photography: ua-cam.com/channels/2cjFacK2whkZ93nZ6Jt4_A.html
@@JamesKerLindsay ..thanks for the plug James.. :-).. I’m well ta.. back in Greece for the duration but hope to get back to the uk again soon.. wish you well.. g
@@GeorgeSBlonsky I can think of worse places to be sitting it out. :-)
@@JamesKerLindsay ..true..! 😊
how did Greece incorporate it's national boundaries without having it's historical capital, Constantinople, in it?
They did,today there are no greeks in anatolia,eastern thrace and istanbul!!!
@@R3LAX94 as there are no Russians in their historical capital Kiev?
@@R3LAX94 but they did until 1923
@@R3LAX94 Greeks can go back, problem solved.
Not sure but many Greeks including me will say that Athens is just a temporary capital until we get Constantinople back. But it does look very unlikely due to population differences.
But we can hope.
Knows our history better as we do and has and excellent Greek pronunciation! Well done!
Sas efharisto para poly! :-) I have a deep affection for Greece. I actually lived there for a year 20 years ago.
Greece stands as the luckiest Balkan state to win most of what it firstly claimed. Its ancient legacy, the very important foreign support, its geostrategic position, its people's great will for expansion and the relaxed rules of the past, were the main factors to enable a territory to remain Greek speaking after three Millenia.
Inspired other people as well to create their nation states.
expansions? you mean taking back the stolen expansions? wtf
Luckiest? Really mate? We attempted more than 200 times to gain our independence between 1453-1821 and failed every single time. Scores of our people being butchered, crucified, force converted to Islam and even being impaled or roasted alive and you call us lucky? Compare that to Albania that gained independence without even firing a single shot or other Balkan countries. The only reason that Albania even exists is that Italy didn't want Greece to expand further in the Adriatic coasts, in the lands that we conquered not once but 3 times and still Italy lobbied everywhere against us.
@@TartarusPyro In which way stolen? Wars and diplomacy changed the territories.
@@billaros1338 We can talk about Albania as much as you want, but our topic is about Greece. Could you please provide some information about those 200 unsuccessful efforts of gaining independence? I had never heard something like that.
From the Mycenaean civilization all the way to modern Greece. More than 3500 years of history 🇬🇷💙
This story isnt over but it is heading into the terminal phase. A peoples whom gave so much to the world and achieved ever enduring legacies whilst enduring so much hardships, pogroms and persecussions ultimately prevail with aspirations realised.
I personally dont believe the golden age of hellenes was in classical greece nor in being the catalyst of europes renaissance but rather the true golden age of greece is yet to come.
Zhtw h ellas.
The Golden Age of Greece was either the 5th century BC Athens or the Hellenistic Age or Basil's II Byzantine Empire. Obviously Greece had many more glorious moments like the decade between 1912-1922 with the Megali Idea and many more are sure to come but I'm not that optimistic about any other Golden Age. Not in the near future at least.
That applies not only for Greece but for the rest of Europe and the Western World as well. We all have stagnating economies and shrinking populations. Compare that to Asian or African countries that are developing with 5% or 8% rates every year and they are doubling their population every 20 years or so.
@@billaros1338 , greece wasnt great because they had an 8% growth rate or 300% growth.
But were great for their achievements and legacies . The uk calls her self great
Britain but there is nothing great about them unless enslaving others,usurping their wealth and exploiting them on an industrial and systematic way with grim legacies that persist to this day is your benchmark.
I tell you that the worlds modus operandi is faulty and obsolete by unitentional design and will soon enough fall on its sword, there and only then will my remarks be concise and obvious. Time and providence will reveal all.
Lol Greece has a failed economy that is only supported by tourism and an ailing public sector, an ageing population which will decrease severely in the next decades, no sister nations as they are not slavic, arab, latin or any of the huge groups around them, a language that is very difficult to learn even for its own youth that are increasingly illiterate since english is like 100x easier and more relevant and its youth is migrating to other countries and will stay there for the most part. Greece will be lucky to exist after a century or two, let alone have a golden age. It did have a good run though and will be remembered throughout history for its impact.
@@spiritusIRATUS I checked your profile and you have a variety of Greek artists and UA-camrs in your playlists.
Thus you are either a little Greek leftist or an Albanian who for some reason hates his adoptive country. Anyway that's kinda weird.
If Greece has a failed economy then 90% of all countries have a failed economy too. Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, a massive tourist sector and is an advanced economy that is based on services.
By far the best per capita economy in the Balkans. Don't forget that before the 2008 crisis, Greece was wealthier than Israel, Ireland, Portugal etc. Don't worry we'll get there again.
Regarding the aging population, that's not solely a Greek problem. Every country in Europe is facing the same problem right now.
Regarding migration, you don't always need to speak Greek in order to live or work here mate. Plus I'm pretty sure we don't want more people from Asia or Africa. Let them go to the "rich" Germany.
I agree with you that it's unlikely for Greece or for any other European country to have another golden age anytime soon but for Greece not to exist mate? Hahahaha are you nuts? We have always been there mate and always will be. No Persian, Roman, Turk or anyone else could change that.
Greece of 11 million people will be here long after countries with 10 times our population disappear or be renamed to something else.
Great video. 👍 Greetings from Australia.
Cheers! Greeting from London.
Legends says that Greece keeps expanding.
Thank you Prof another detailed and well-informed publication, please consider doing a talk on the Cape of Good Hope.
Thanks. It’s certainly on my list of cases to cover.
Interesting video, James! I knew Greece expanded, but never knew it in that much detail. Greece's path to independence and irredentism mirrors Romania's on some level. Starting from the Ottoman vassal states of Wallachia and Moldavia, having a revolution to get rid of foreign rulers who would pay money to the Ottomans for the throne, then taking advantage of the Crimean War's peace negociations to bring up their desire for unification to the Great Powers, exploiting a loophole in the treaty to have the same man ruler of both countries, eventually becoming independent. Gaining Southern Doburja from Bulgaria in 1913 after Bulgaria refused to give up Silistra in the First Balkan War. And at the end of World War I former regions of Moldavia (Bessarabia and Bukovina) with Romanian majoritary regions in Transylvania and Banat declaring their desire for independence and union with Romania. Leading to Greater Romania.
Although, it's worth pointing out that this wasn't the maximum extent of the Romanian irredentist idea. Which was actaully "From Dniester to Tisza" claiming historic right and including Western Crisana/Alfold (that remained part of Hungary) and West Banat (that remained part of Serbia, later Yugoslavia), but unlike other territories, those territories had an insignificant Romanian population, it claimed historic right, not ethnic self-determination. With Greater Romania ending in 1940 after the Fall of France when Germany and USSR demanded Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to USSR, Northern Transylvania to Hungary and Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria. Originally pro-Allied, Romania tried to appease Germany after the Fall of France, but it was too little too late, other powers who previously declared their loyality to Germany already made territorial claims to Romania, who even with its change of allegeance, was looking only for a German guarnatee, it was only after the coup that ended Carol II's reign that Romania started to take an active implication and joined the Axis.
At the end of World War II, due to King Michael's Coup in 1944 that changed sides, Romania took back Northern Transylvania from Hungary. But lost Snake Island to USSR in 1947 reaching its modern borders. However, much like Greece, Romania has a Cyprus of its own, Moldova. When Bessarabia was taken in 1940, it lost some of its territory to Ukraine and became a Soviet Republic, which later became an independent state in 1991, only to have its own Northern Cyprus in Transnistria who started a war against the independence. With Russian support, much like Turkish support in Cyprus, the conflict reached a stalemate that exists to this day.
Thank you so much. Romania is another fascinating example. In fact, although I had to omit it, the Greek War of Independence actually began in Moldavia, as you probably know well.
I really must do more on Romania and Moldova. I’ve been meaning to do a video of Transnistria for ages. But I am also fascinated in the question of Romania Moldova unification. What hasn’t it happened? Could it happen? And how would the EU respond?
Correct me I'm wrong but Romanian and Greek modern history are more interconnected than we might think, for starters the Greek community of wallachia did rebelled against the ottomans in that region in 1821 and at least tried to " get on board" the local population although the locals didn't trusted the Greeks due to the fact that many of the Greek leaders used to held positions of power with in the ottoman system
Then there is the balkan wars after Bulgaria tried de facto to take over the territories was claiming, the found themselves in a three fronts war ( Serbia, Greece, Romania) and it did worked well for them, to say the least..
Ps I bet we can find more examples if we "lift the dust from the history books" 😉
Really liked this video. Thank you so much
Thank you!
Excellent commentary, thanks Professor James
Thank you so much. It is an incredible story. Many congratulations on this week’s anniversary! 🙂
A documentary about Greece very well done, documented and presented.
Χρόνια Πολλά Ελλάδα μας! - Με πατριωτικούς χαιρετισμούς σε όλους τους Έλληνες και Φιλέλληνες του κόσμου από τον Καναδά.
Unrelated but I really like greek yoghurt.
Haha! Well, there is that too! :-)
❤️ from Greece
LMAO
@Jordan & Jordan *Greek
@Jordan & Jordan how come it’s Turkish when it’s well known all over the world as Greek? Turkish companies even use Greek names to promote their product.
RESPECT FOR YOU JAMES .VERY REAL HYSTORI.
Thanks for the video, I wish you had spoken more on the true tragedy that the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians suffered in Smyrna at the hands of the Turks in the 1920’s.
Thanks. I understand. In any video of 15 minutes taking a look at such a brush sweep of history there is much that has to be omitted. But I think I did get across the tragedy of the loss of that ancient community. And hopefully it may have prompted people who are interested in the topic to look into it further. I have put some links to some great books on Greek history in the description.
Greek, Armenians, Assyrians and Jewish as well.
@@aokiaoki4238 ottomans and Turkey always protect Jews. Jews always welcomed here, Turkey.
Boo hoo. There is no Genocide on Greece. Keep lying.
@Bill Nat I wish we did help Turks do that to you lot but no we didn’t, just Greece imagining things again.
Υπέροχο βίντεο!! Σε ευχαριστούμε πολύ!
Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🙂
Ευχαριστώ πολύ! King George I and the last Queen Anna-Maria being Danish, Greece has always been interesting to a Dane! As usual very well explained.
Χαίρε ελευθερία! 😉
Yes, of course. The Danish link is strong in this one! :-) I always found it interesting that George took the title king of the Hellenes. His predecessor, Otto (Othon), was merely King of Greece.
@@JamesKerLindsay
Otto was German and expelled, as far as I recall. As for Vilhelm (George I), we had a tradition in Denmark of including in the king’s title the peoples he reigned over (apart from Denmark proper), and he came from a family with strong family values, so that may have inspired him. Apart from that, he was a shy 17-year old, so the concept “king of a country” might have seemed overwhelming - his sisters were Queen Alexandra of England and Tsarina Dagmar (Maria Feodorovna) of Russia. ;)
@@lvoldum Thanks! The Greeks always present it as a deliberate decision designed to reinforce the Megali idea. It’s interesting to think that it may have had different origins.
@James Ker-Lindsay
Certainly, η μεγάλη ιδέα plays an important role, but I think Vilhelm has been very open to the concept. He really threw himself all in to be Βασιλεύς των Ελλήνων - he quickly learned Greek, abolished the unelected senate, etc.
King George had byzantine lineage from Emperor Alexios Komnenos, not that he ever took any pride from it since the line goes 35 generations back.
No mention of Haiti being the first country to recognize Greek independence in 1822? It is also reported that Haiti sent massive amounts of coffee to Greece as a ressource that could be sold for weaponry
Thanks so much. I never knew that! Incredible. As someone who works on recognition and Greece, I’d really like to look into this more. Many thanks again.
Thank you James!
Thanks. It is an incredible history!
@@JamesKerLindsay it was an excellent presentation of modern greek history James.. Congrats
Great video James, basically we see the continuation of the fight of borders in the dispute between sea borders/eez in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas between Greece and Cyprus on the one hand and Turkey on the other.
Thank you so much. Indeed. Although the borders were settled in 1923, there have been some changes (the Dodecanese in 1947) and alterations to international law that have led to the tensions we have seen recently. With goodwill, they would actually be relatively easy to resolve. Sadly, that is lacking in the current climate. We just need to hope that tensions don’t flare up again and lead to conflict. It is really worrying.
@@JamesKerLindsay Dear friend, THE instrument to resolve the tension between Turkey-Greece exists! Is called UNCLOS III (United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea) No goodwill, no good faith! Just the Law! Then why they don't use it? Ask Turkey. Turkey is not contacting Party of the Convention. I wonder why not!
@@queenkalliope Bravo! Very accurate opinion!
@@dimitriospapadopoulos1924 No. Goodwill. Even most courts prefers when things are settled amicably between the parties! :-)
@@dimitriospapadopoulos1924 there is no need to go no where...The Treaty Of LAUSANNE is crystal clear....
Informative! Thank you, sir!
The country north of Greece is called North of Macedonia,Not Macedonia.
Yes. I am aware if that. I did a video on it. But it also takes time for maps to be updated.
Is called Skopia !
@@JamesKerLindsay You had to look more for an updated map or change the name yourself with an image editor. It's very easy. This acts as a provocation for us Greeks and for this reason I will downvote an otherwise good video.
@@giorgosgalanos9888 Whatever pleases you. Sad that you feel that way. But it’s your choice. Anyway congratulations on the anniversary.
Makedonia is 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷Greece,,, not balkan. You are speek.. Balkanish, you are speek,, slavish,, και εγώ μιλάω.. Ελληνικά.. Είμαι Ελληνίδα.
Very good video, historically documented. from today I am a subscriber
Thank you so much! Really appreciated. It was a video I had long wanted to make. Such a fascinating story.
@@JamesKerLindsay I see you are fascinated by history and that is why I will set you a historical challenge, to deal with the ways in which the Ottoman Empire was enforce on other peoples. There, you may discover facts and truths that others later used to enforce themselves.
Yes, I know it is a difficult task in every way and very sensitive and a lot of work but believe me you will discover many "skeletons buried" in this closet of history, maybe many more than you can imagine. And at the end of the day the Historical truth is what counts, because we humans learn from our mistakes, that is the objective of the history and not to argue who has the "bigger" hahahaha
Good day to have dear friend.
just α Greek .
Excellent tribute to the independence of Greece. Bravo!
Thank you very much!
Yes, Thank you to Albanians.
@Jordan & Jordan Greece has always been on the right side. In the club of civilized countries with cultural values and constantly seeks peace. Greece drove out the darkness brought by the Turks and thus was liberated, then sided with the allies in two world wars and stopped the schizophrenic Hitler. Turkey, Albania, Romania Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine were on the side of the most criminal man in history. Hitler. You have no right to talk about what Greece did.
Thank you for this video
Thanks! It was actually a very personal one for me as I used to live in Greece.
BTW please do not forget the 11 other Greek revolutions that took place during the 400yrs of Ottoman rule, thus paving the way for the 1821 revolution.
Thank you for another excellent video
This is very well done, the graphics are great and really add to it. The Ionian Islands are really fascinating, not colonized by the Ottomans but instead by Venice all the way until the republic’s destruction by France and Napoleon, who also took the islands, and then by Britain, at first under military control and then later as a British protectorate but one of the more oddly administered ones, as the local government under British protection was not, as in the case of most British protectorates, a monarchy, but was instead a classical republic; it was nonetheless a full protectorate of the British Empire.
Thanks so much. Yes, the Ionians are fascinating. It might be an interesting story to return to. (I also hope to do Turkey as part of this series. I had to cover the War of Independence very briefly, but that is an amazing story in its own right.)
And thanks so much for the comment on the graphics!! You’ve made my day. They took me ages. I recently upgraded my computer (m1 Mac mini) and some of my software and have been learning photoshop. (I’ve also been working on the audio.) It is allowing me to do a lot more and much faster, but this was still very fiddly. It was all the islands! :-) But it is so nice to have it spotted! Thanks.
I think you mean Venice ...
@@GeoBBB123 yes of course the Most Serene Republic of Venice, I must have had the Florentiner Marsch on my mind when I typed this
Fantastic video. Thank you.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I have been really overwhelmed by the positive responses, especially as I touched on a couple of issues that I know are still incredibly sensitive.
8:56 Your map is mistaken. There is only one Macedonia. The greek Macedonia. Skopje is not macedonia. Its a slavic country who speak bulgerian.
Thank you. I am well aware that the country is called North Macedonia. I did a video on it. But you might like to take a few moments to think that it takes time for many sites to update their maps.
(Interestingly, most Greeks here have really appreciated the video and the spirit in which it was made. You are just one of three so far who has instead focused in on the name. It really is quite depressing how, even now, some are obsessively fixated on the name issue. You won. They’ve changed their name. Everyone accepts it. Get over it.)
@@JamesKerLindsay Nope thats not it. It has to do with being accurate. Foreign political games in expense of a country's sovereignty are very dangerous economically and historically. Its the same with cyprus issue. And the same with turkey's threats against Greece for 30 years disputing the very borders you analyzed. So please dont talk down to me like I'm some kind of ethnisist with that tone. I'm just someone who loves his country and very critical when it does something wrong.
Also many greeks didn't get over it cause the deal was to renounce any cultural claims of identity of ancient greek macedonia. They didn't. To stop teaching their schools about their lost capital Salonica and that they are descendants of Alexander the Great. They didn't. Also They are using the brand "Macedonian" (not north macedonia) on products witch have a negative effect on our products and our economy. Cause they are delicasies and have a strong impact in local Macedonian buisnesses. We are a country surrounded by countries were their practises are questionable at best and the "Union" does it best to undermine us every time on our diplomacy. Like the Evros incident when Erdogan unleashed 50000 illegal refugees on our borders with the support of his army. So excuse me if I'm not getting over it.
I didn't say I didn't appriciate your video. I point out an inaccuracy. An inaccuracy caused by the americans and the EU. And since you are so good in international law i suggest doing a analytic video with turkey's policies against Greece and EU stabbing us in the back again with recent events. Good day to you. Next time try not to be so judgemental with that tone. I just pointed out. But If you want I can dance too. OPA!
@@JamesKerLindsay To be fair Mr James the name of Skopje was never our decision. EU and NATO pressured and made us their problem to be our own. The people of Greece never agreed to this. They were massive protests against decision. If you think the greek people are obsessed for something petty like this you clearly not greek and you cannot understand. And I dont blame you for it. We didn't won. We lost. The whole world knows skopje as Macedonia which historically inaccurate and many historians agree on this. But for very few things the name North Macedonia will be used.This dream they have is a propaganda of a dictator who poisoned their minds with a false identity. We never accept the name. This wans't a democratic decision. And Sotiris is right. Until this day they have maps in their classrooms that they show that Skpje has the whole Macedonia with their capital as Salonica. Which means that they still manipulating their youth with lies and false information. I can assure you that in our classrooms we never had maps with the Great Idea. We teaching that we made terrible mistakes but many sacrifices to get heare we are now too. Nevertheless I thank you for your video.
@@sts9865 Thank you. I know how this issue upset many Greeks. As it happens, I actually speak Greek and lived in Athens at one time. I have also spent most of my academic career working on Greece, a country I have a very strong affection for. But, because of all this, I also know how much damage the issue did to Greece’s reputation over many decades and how many Greeks felt embarrassed by the over zealous way that some of their compatriots responded to the issue. My annoyance is at the way some people continue to fight this battle and do so in a way that is usually unpleasant and rather xenophobic. (Fortunately it is actually a surprisingly few who now do, but UA-cam has a habit of bringing out the worst in some people.) While many may not be happy with the Prespa Accords, most seem willing to accept - even grudgingly - that it’s now done and it’s time to move on.
perfect pronunciation of the greek language.. kudos to you sir!
Thank you so much! I actually speak Greek. (I lived in both Greece and Cyprus.) But it’s not often I am accused of perfect pronunciation. It might sound good over a couple of words, but any longer than that and I most definitely sound like a Brit butchering Greek. 😂
Irredentism is a concept every italian school students study! Nice to know that it's internationally known
Thank you. Indeed. I have long meant to do a video on the unification of Italy. A truly fascinating story.
Very informative and as always fantastic!
Thank you so much Albert! I hope all is well with you.
It hearts me we lost Smyrna and East Thrace. They were always greek. So sad
You didn’t lose anything.
@@khaybar6108 so constantinople never fell? the turks built it, right?
@@marcopolo2395 No don’t be stupid and it’s pronounced Konstantinopojë and written the same way since he was Illyrian. The Turks changed its name to Istanbul.
@@marcopolo2395 as I said Greece lost nothing, only gained. If we are talking about the real Greece then Peloponnese maybe with the islands like Create and other small islands too south of Greece because Korfuz is Albanian and Chamëria alois the real Greece. Anything more then Peloponnese is stolen.
Stolen territories by Greece.
Korfuz, Chamëria, Aegen Macedonia and Thrace.
Konstantinopojë belong to Byzantium Empire not Greece. Byzantium Empire lost it in battle not Greece. It’s named after an Illyrian Constantine the Great.
So don’t give me nonsense that you lost anything. You only gained.
new greek history simplyfied excellent!!!
Well most well except the Greek population of anatolia didn't migrate it was massacred and the little that remained fleed.
No they were exchanged with Muslim population living in Greece in 1922 under the Lausanne Treaty and the idea of population exchange was that of Venizelos. What happened during WWI was the consequences of war as Greek army invaded Asia Minor all the way to interior and they were resisted by nationalist forces.
@@crocustorrent5093 yeah the defence is u murdered most of them,my grandma came to Greece in the underwear at 5 years old coming from a rich family in smirna, both her parents were killed Infront of her.
Konstantinos Mpoudronikolas yes for sure on the contrary the ones exchanged from Greece in return came happy, in excellent health and perfectly prosperous conditions
@@crocustorrent5093 Well they weren't systematically murdered we aren't Muslims
Konstantinos Mpoudronikolas yes of course, Christians in the Balkans were angels during the Balkan wars and WWI. They did not even think of deportations and atrocities towards muslims and one another.
Great video ! Thank you !
Thank you very much! It was such an interesting story to tell. I had wanted to do it for ages, but the bicentennial was the perfect moment. My warmest congratulations to all Greeks celebrating this week!
Greece maybe didint get all its lands today but we are still standing proud and see what our ancestors have done, and how incredible were the things they had done, greetings from the Hellenic Republic!
Good video sir 👍
Thank you very much indeed!
Wow you are a good Historian!
Thank you very much indeed! 🙂 It is a fascinating story and one I had wanted to cover for a while. The bicentennial was a great opportunity.
I have a lot of Greek friends and they are all wonderful people. Much love from Turkey.
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It wasn't only the Ionian islands that didn't experience Ottoman occupation. The Mani peninsula and the Souli area also kept their independence
Hellenes is just the Greek version of Greeks.
Thanks. That I do know. :-)
Excellent summary. Thank you
Thank you so much. It really is an incredible story. Many congratulations on the anniversary!
Weird. Some of the most vital facts missed: a) KAPODISTRIAS; b) Greece gained its independence despite British opposition, and thanks to Russia (real historians, but not many IR theorists, are fully aware of the Anglo-Russian Protocol of 1826, of which you appear to be unaware. The FCDO are probaby happy, however, with the presentation.
William, it is a 15 minute video. It is not meant to be the definitive documentary on the subject. Whole university modules can be, and are are, taught on this. Moreover, it is also aimed at general interest viewers, rather than Greeks - let alone historians of Modern Greece. It is always a very fine line between providing enough information to tell the story, and not so much as to overwhelm viewers. So, yes, there is a lot missing. Obviously, so. But for what I hoped it would do, I have been pleased that so many Greeks have actually seen fit to welcome it as a fair and informative video to mark a remarkable anniversary.
@@JamesKerLindsay OK, James. I'm just a slave of history and documents....a la Guicciardini...But Kapodistrias is absolutely vital.
@@WilliamMallinson Yes. He is. I accept that. I had a section on origins of the movement, and divisions amongst Greeks on the subject of independence, that were cut out. If the story had focused on events up to 1832 then I agree it would have been unforgivable to miss him out - and others. But I decided to use this video to discuss irredentism. This meant telling the broad sweep of history. The events leading up to independence were given shorter shrift than I would have given them had it been more focused on just those events. I also did a video on Australia that took a broad arc view of history. Again, the channel is aimed a general viewers, mostly interested in international relations. So, I try to relate the videos to broader IR themes. And as I always say to people, I welcome viewers using the comments section to - politely - point out information that is missed or offer corrections.
a very respectful and historical accurate video about greece.
i would like to mention that you could had included the most importart tries of the older revolutions that tried to set greece free like the great revolution of the 1770 , the known as orlofika, that had much impact on the generation that started the revolution of 1821, 50 years later. the revolution of 1821 was not just one revolution but the last succesful try for the greeks to set free.
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Very nice presentation! It is really fascinating to live the 200th anniversary of the hellenic state, especially in such a difficult period where the covid-19 pandemic has changed so much.
I would like to see your view on the partition of the Albanian lands in 1913 and on the Albanian independent movement.
And as always great vid.
yes same
Thanks a lot. I actually want to a video on Albanian independence as part of this series. It is also such a fascinating story, and one that took a very different direction to the Greek case.
@@JamesKerLindsay looking forward to it :)
@@JamesKerLindsay Please include the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus of 1914 in it, so our Albanian friends learn some real history they hide them.
@@aokiaoki4238 Jamie dident mentioned Arvanit are Albanian the same as Arberesh of Italy so is story is made up from fake country and 1821 was not greek warr of independent but for freedom of people just after the war the great powers made this fake nacion
James is an honor.
2:30 you have a map that is says Macedonia which is not true. It’s North Macedonia. Other than that great video.
Very informative video
Cypriot here, proud to have Greece in this world. As 80% of Cyprus was consisted by Greek Cypriots at the time, the unity would make great sense. Unfortunately though, there is also a troublemaker neighbor which doesn't make life any easier (for any country really). That's in the past though and what now is left for peace is for Cyprus to be unified, not with Greece, but with Cypriots..from the north and every corner of the globe. I hope one day we will achieve that and that the known troublemaker of mediterranean (Turkey) will just let us and all its neighbors be ✌. Great video once again 👏👏.
Yeah troublemaking neighbor aka guarantor of the independent Cyprus that prevented the asshole neighbor from annexing it unrighteously and stopped massacres "20%" had to face.