London Conference of 1832 facts for kids
The London Conference of 1832 was an important meeting where powerful countries decided the future of Greece. Representatives from Britain, France, and Russia met to help Greece set up a strong government. They decided that Greece should become a kingdom, and they chose a prince from Bavaria, named Otto, to be its first king. These decisions were officially agreed upon in the Treaty of Constantinople later that same year. This treaty also followed an earlier agreement, the Akkerman Convention, which had recognized that Serbia would have some control over its own land.
Why the Conference Happened
Greece had fought for and won its freedom from the Ottoman Empire in the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829). Britain, France, and Russia had helped them achieve this. In 1830, these three powers had already set the borders for the new Greek state.
However, things became very confusing in Greece. In 1831, the leader of Greece, John Capodistria (also known as Ioannis Kapodistrias), was sadly assassinated in Nafplion. This event caused a lot of trouble and instability. The major European powers wanted to officially end the war and make sure Greece had a recognized and stable government.
Decisions at the London Meeting
In May 1832, the British Foreign Secretary, Palmerston, met with diplomats from France and Russia. Without asking the Greeks directly, they decided that Greece should be a monarchy, meaning it would be ruled by a king.
They offered the throne to Prince Otto from Bavaria. They also planned out who would become king or queen after Otto, making sure the crown would pass to his children or younger brothers if he had no children. It was also agreed that the crowns of Greece and Bavaria would never be joined together.
As the countries guaranteeing Greece's new monarchy, Britain, France, and Russia also gave their ambassadors in Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, the power to officially end the Greek War of Independence.
On July 21, 1832, the British ambassador, Sir Stratford Canning, and other representatives signed the Treaty of Constantinople. This treaty officially set the borders of the new Kingdom of Greece along the Arta–Volos line, which runs from the city of Arta to the city of Volos.
