Why did Europeans and Americans support the Greek revolt against the Ottoman Turks?

1 Answer
Aug 7, 2016

The French and The British supported the Greek revolt for both political reasons and idealistic reasons.

Explanation:

The Ottoman Turkish Empire was under great pressure and was in danger of losing control of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus.

The French and British governments wanted a rapid end to the Greek revolt that would result in Greek independence and the continuance of the Ottoman Turkish Empire in control of the Black Sea, Asia Minor and the Bosphorus Straits.

The French and British governments feared that if the Ottoman Empire collapsed the Russian Empire would gain control of the Black Sea, and the Bosphorus Straits. This wold allow the Russian Empire access to the Med. challenging the control of the French and British.

Oddly the Russian Empire being co religiousness with the Greeks did not support the Greek revolt, hoping for the total collapse of the Ottoman Turks and not wanting to help local rebellions that also threatened the Russian Empire.

Many Idealist like Lord Byron who died fighting for the Greeks saw the revolt as a resurgence of the classical Greek democracy. These idealist from France and England fought for the Greeks against the Ottomans for democracy.