Treaty of London (1864) facts for kids
1914 postal card for the fiftieth anniversary of the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece
|
|
| Type | Multilateral treaty |
|---|---|
| Signed | 29 March 1864 |
| Location | London, England |
| Original signatories |
|
| Ratifiers |
|
The Treaty of London in 1864 was a very important agreement. It led to Great Britain giving the United States of the Ionian Islands to Greece. Britain had been protecting these islands since 1815. This was known as an "amical protectorate," meaning a friendly protection.
Contents
What Was the Treaty of London?
The Treaty of London was signed on March 29, 1864. It officially transferred control of the Ionian Islands from Britain to Greece. This was a big moment for Greece. It meant that more Greek-speaking people would join the newly independent Greek nation.
The Ionian Islands
The United States of the Ionian Islands were a group of seven islands. They are located off the coasts of Epirus and the Peloponnese in Greece. These islands had been under Venetian control until 1797. This meant they avoided being ruled by the Ottoman Empire.
Six of the islands are in the Ionian Sea. These are Corfù (Kerkyra), Ithaca (Ithaki), Paxò (Paxoi/Paxos), Cephalonia, Zante (Zakynthos), and Santa Maura (Lefkas). The seventh island, Cerigo (Kythera), is southeast of the Peloponnese.
Why Britain Gave Up the Islands
Since Greece became independent in 1832, people on the Ionian Islands wanted to join Greece. This desire was called enosis, which means "union."
In 1862, British leaders decided to give the islands to Greece. Lord Palmerston, who was in charge of foreign affairs, thought it was a good idea. Queen Victoria also supported this plan.
There were a few reasons for this decision:
- It was expensive for Britain to keep control of the islands.
- The islands were not as important for Britain's military plans anymore. Britain could still have a strong presence in the Mediterranean Sea from Malta.
Another reason was the new King of Greece, George. He was a Danish prince who liked Britain very much. In fact, in 1862, Greeks had voted for Queen Victoria's son, Prince Alfred, to be their king. They hoped this would help them get the Ionian Islands.
The Treaty Is Signed
After many talks with Greece, the Treaty of London was signed. The Greek representative was Charilaos Trikoupis. On May 2, 1864, the British left the islands. The Ionian Islands then became three new areas within the Kingdom of Greece. Britain was still allowed to use the port on Corfu.
This event is seen as one of the first times Britain willingly gave up control of a territory. This process is known as decolonization.
See also
- Treaties of London
