Treaty of Constantinople (1832) facts for kids

The Treaty of Constantinople in 1832 was a very important agreement. It officially ended the Greek War of Independence and created modern Greece as an independent country. This meant Greece was no longer part of the Ottoman Empire.

Map showing the original territory of the Kingdom of Greece as laid down in the Treaty of 1832 (in dark blue)

This treaty was the result of a big meeting called the London Conference of 1832. It started in February 1832. Important countries known as the Great Powers were there: Britain, France, and Russia. The Ottoman Empire was also part of the discussions.

How Greece Became Independent

The journey to Greece's independence was not easy. After a long war, the Great Powers helped decide the future of Greece. They wanted to create a stable, independent country.

Choosing a King

One of the first challenges was finding a king for the new country. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was first offered the throne. However, he was not happy with the proposed border for Greece. The Great Powers had suggested a border called the Aspropotamos–Spercheios line. Leopold preferred a different border, the Arta–Volos line, which would have given Greece more land. Because he was unhappy, Leopold decided not to become king.

Border Decisions

Leopold's decision and a big change in France (the July Revolution) caused delays. The final borders for Greece took longer to decide. When Lord Palmerston became the British Foreign Secretary, he agreed to the Arta-Volos border. This border was much better for Greece.

The Final Agreement

On May 7, 1832, an important agreement was signed. This agreement was between Bavaria and the Great Powers. It officially declared Greece an independent kingdom. The northern border was set as the Arta-Volos line. The agreement also arranged for Otto to become the first king of Greece. He was still young, so a group would rule until he was old enough.

The Ottoman Empire received money, about 40,000,000 piastres, as payment for the land they lost. The final details of the border were confirmed in the London Protocol on August 30, 1832. This marked the official end of the Greek War of Independence and the birth of modern Greece.

See also

• London Protocol (1832)
• List of treaties
• Treaty of Sèvres
• Treaty of Lausanne