Greek War Of Independence Questions

How could the Greek War For Independence go better for the Greeks? There are several thoughts that come to mind:

The Russians giving support to Ipsilantis during the war in the Romanian Principalites or preventing the Ottomans from sending troops in.

Simultaneous uprisings in other parts of the Balkans, such as Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia etc.

Kapodhistrias giving support to the Greek cause as well or leading it.

The Greeks spending the loans given to them properly on the war effort.


Thoughts?
 
I 'm sure that Capodistrias is the key for a better performing Greek Revolution.

But, first of all let me indroduce an "alternative" story about him:

Capodistrias' historic figure is still blur, despite the countless books and articles wrtitten about him. A large part of the historic sources is lost, or still classified by the British and Russian states after 180 years.

So, although the "mainstream" history has it that he did not support the Filike Eteria (Association of Friends, "FE" from now on), there are some unexplored indications that he was well involved in the FE, even as its leader. I have some documentation for that, if necessary.

If that was the case, the problem was that there were more radical members inside the FE, such as Papaflessas and ambitious ones such as Ypsillantis, that managed to impose their agendas, which was quite different than that of Capodistrias', mainly concerning the timing of the Revolution: the Revolution started too early, the preparations were unfinished, the cooperation with other "players" was not achieved, the understanding with the Greek warlords (armatoloi) and bailiffs (prokritoi, kotzabasides) was not achieved, etc, with the results we all know....

sorry, I got to go for a while, but I' ll be back in a few hours!

thanks for the interesting thread!
 
So, If Capodistrias was indeed the head of FE, what would have happened if he managed to control Ypsillantis and restrain Papaflessas?

The most obvious answer is that the outbreak of the Revolution would be postponed for at least 5 years (Capodistrias himself argued about the 1830's). That means that:

1. he would be a minister of the Russian throne for much longer. Hence he would have much more time to persuade the Czar (Nikolai and later Alexander) for the necesity of a Greek state. Furthermore, he probably would gain more prestige within the Holy Alliance, thus persuading the British and the French for the necesity of a Greek state, as well. Unlikely of the mainstream idea the C. was just an agent of the Russian foreign policy, it seems that he was more of a fan of a European balance and cooperation in an environment of national liberalism. Note that his only enemy during his career as a foreign affairs minister, was Metternich or the reason that he (and the Austrian policy) was too conservative and isolationist.

2. He would have much more time to educate the Greeks in the idea of nationalism, thus deminishing the effect of localism and selfishness among the chieftains and bailifs. That means that when the Revolution outbreaks it is more likely for a central government to be strong and efficient in imposing its will to the warlords and coordinating them.
 
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