Treaty of Constantinople (1832): What Happened
In July 1832, the Treaty of Constantinople was signed between the Ottoman Empire and the three protecting powers of Greece, Britain, France and Russia. Under the treaty, the Ottoman sultan formally recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Greece and accepted its new borders. The frontier was set along a line from the Gulf of Arta in the west to the Gulf of Volos in the east, giving Greece more territory than earlier proposals, including all of central Greece south of that line. The new kingdom included the Peloponnese, central Greece, the Cyclades and several other islands, including Evia. In return for the territory, Greece paid the Ottoman Empire compensation, financed by the loan guaranteed by the protecting powers. The treaty officially ended the Greek War of Independence and confirmed Greece's place as an independent nation. However, the kingdom contained only a minority of the Greek people. Large Greek populations remained under Ottoman rule in Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, Crete, the Aegean islands, Constantinople and Asia Minor, which later fueled the idea of expanding Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Treaty of Constantinople of 1832?
The Treaty of Constantinople, signed in July 1832, was the agreement in which the Ottoman Empire formally recognized the independent Kingdom of Greece and its borders.
What were Greece's borders in 1832?
The frontier ran from the Gulf of Arta in the west to the Gulf of Volos in the east, including the Peloponnese, central Greece, Evia and the Cyclades.
Did Greece pay the Ottomans for independence?
Yes. Greece paid compensation to the Ottoman Empire for the territory, financed by the loan guaranteed by the protecting powers.
Did the treaty end the Greek War of Independence?
Yes. The treaty officially ended the Greek War of Independence and confirmed Greece's place as an independent nation.
Where did most Greeks live after 1832?
Most Greeks still lived outside the kingdom, in Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, Crete, the Aegean islands, Constantinople and Asia Minor, fueling later expansion.
