The Greek War of Independence in a Global Era

Professor Mark Mazower

Thursday 29 November 2012
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH
This is the third in a series of three lectures being given on 'The Making and Breaking of States'.

The War of Greek Independence was a turning point in modern history as it marked the emergence of the first nation-state in Europe and was of course hailed by the champions of liberty and by philhellenes all over the world. This lecture asks how this event was interpreted by three other sets of contemporaries. First, new research casts a fresh light on the Ottoman response to the Greek rebellion, a response characterised both by violence – as in the massacres on Chios – and by a perhaps surprising equanimity. Second, how it was interpreted by the members of the Concert of Europe and what implications it seemed to carry for this new effort at managing international relations. And thirdly, how it was interpreted more widely, by commentators and statesmen, at a time when affairs in Europe reverberated in Asia and the Americas, and helped to produce a new consciousness of the global character of international politics.

About the Speaker
Mark Mazower is Ira D Wallach Professor of HIstory at Columbia University and Director of the Heyman Center for the Humanities. He studied classics, philosophy and modern history at Oxford University and is the author of numerous books on modern Greek, European and international history. His most recent book, Governing the World: the History of an Idea will be published by Penguin in the US and the UK in September.

The Greek War Of Independence In A Global Era

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. ​

From artificial intelligence to climate change, from building prosperity to improving well-being – today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, cultures and societies.​

We invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, ​engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for ​the benefit of everyone. ​