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Greek Diplomacy during the War of Independence: Mavrokordatos and the US
A detailed account of Alexandros Mavrokordatos's diplomatic maneuvers during the Greek War of Independence, particularly his attempts to secure aid from both Britain and the United States, and the US's ultimate decision to remain neutral.
Greek
Greece
International RelationsEuropean UnionDiplomacyUs Foreign Policy19Th CenturyGreek Independence
Us State DepartmentBritish Foreign OfficeGreek GovernmentAmerican Legations In EuropePhilike Hetairia
Alexandros MavrokordatosGeorge CanningJohn Quincy AdamsJames MonroeAndrew JacksonAlbert Gallatin
- How did the US response to the Greek struggle impact its domestic politics?
- Despite initial enthusiasm and lobbying efforts by Philhellenes, the US government, under pressure from Adams, ultimately maintained its neutral stance, favoring a trade agreement with the Ottomans over direct support for Greece.
- Why did Mavrokordatos restrict the negotiating leeway of the envoys to London?
- Mavrokordatos limited the envoys' discretion to avoid over-reliance on Britain and entanglement in European power struggles, prioritizing a balanced approach to securing financial aid.
- What was the essence of Mavrokordatos's strategy regarding the American envoys?
- Mavrokordatos's plan was to cultivate relations with the US, seeing it as beneficial to Greek interests and offering a balance to relations with European powers, and instructed envoys to negotiate broadly with American representatives beyond just loans.
- What factors contributed to the US's eventual policy on the Greek War of Independence?
- While initially positive towards the Greek cause, the US's Monroe Doctrine and President Adams's caution against European entanglements ultimately steered the US towards neutrality and an economic agreement with the Ottomans instead of direct intervention.
- Why did Mavrokordatos deem it unwise for Greece to forge closer ties with the British Empire?
- He believed that close ties with a single great power like Britain would be too risky for Greece, making the nation vulnerable to the shifting dynamics of European politics and potentially hindering its independence.