Events on February 6 in history

Otto becomes the first modern King of Greece.

Otto (Greek: Όθων, romanized: Óthon; German: Otto Friedrich Ludwig von Bayern; born 1 June 1815, died 26 July 1867) was a Bavarian prince who ascended the newly established throne of Greece as its first monarch. His reign as King of Greece commenced on 27 May 1832, following the pivotal Convention of London, which formally recognized Greece as an independent kingdom and designated him as its sovereign. He ruled for nearly three decades until his deposition on 23 October 1862.

The Ascent to the Greek Throne and the Bavarian Regency

As the second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto was chosen by the Great Powers—Britain, France, and Russia—to lead the nascent Greek state, which had recently secured its independence after the protracted Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the Ottoman Empire. He arrived in Greece on 6 February 1833, a mere seventeen years old, bringing with him a group of Bavarian advisors and officials.

Initially, due to his minority, Greece was governed by a three-man regency council composed of Bavarian court officials: Josef Ludwig von Armansperg, Karl von Abel, and Georg Ludwig von Maurer. This period, often pejoratively referred to in Greek history as the "Bavarocracy" (Βαυαροκρατία, Vavarokratía), was marked by attempts to establish a modern administrative, judicial, and educational system. However, the regents' perceived autocratic style, heavy taxation, dismissal of Greek freedom fighters from the army, and insensitivity to Greek customs and the predominantly Orthodox faith (Otto himself was a Roman Catholic) led to widespread unpopularity among the populace.

Transition to Absolute Monarchy and the 1843 Revolution

Upon reaching his majority on 1 June 1835, King Otto assumed full royal powers. One of his first significant acts was to dismiss the unpopular regents, attempting to consolidate his authority and appease his subjects. He subsequently ruled as an absolute monarch, centralizing power and relying heavily on a bureaucracy that still included many Bavarians. Despite efforts to modernize the state, Greece continued to grapple with immense challenges, including pervasive poverty, significant foreign debt, and a lack of infrastructure.

The demand for a constitution, guaranteeing civil liberties and limiting the monarch's power, grew overwhelmingly throughout the 1830s and early 1840s. This culminated in the 3 September 1843 Revolution, a spontaneous, bloodless military insurrection. Led by prominent figures such as Ioannis Makriyannis and Dimitrios Kallergis, the uprising forced Otto to yield to the popular will. In response to this powerful demonstration of national unity, King Otto reluctantly granted a constitution, transforming Greece from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy and significantly altering the political landscape.

Economic Challenges and the Influence of the Great Powers

Throughout his entire reign, King Otto struggled to alleviate Greece's endemic poverty and prevent relentless economic and political meddling from external powers. Greek politics during this era were intricately linked to the patronage of the three Great Powers—Britain, France, and Russia—who had guaranteed Greece's independence and provided substantial loans. These powers each cultivated their own political factions within Greece, often referred to as the English, French, and Russian Parties, respectively.

Otto's ability to maintain the delicate balance of support from these Great Powers was paramount to his political survival. He frequently had to skillfully play the interests of each faction against the others, navigating complex international relations without overtly antagonizing any of the guaranteeing powers. This intricate diplomatic dance was a constant source of tension and instability within Greek politics.

The Crimean War and Otto's Decline in Standing

A critical turning point in Otto's reign occurred during the Crimean War (1853–1856). Driven by the "Megali Idea" (Great Idea), the irredentist national aspiration to unite all ethnic Greeks into a single state with its capital in Constantinople, Otto harbored ambitions of expanding Greek territory into the Ottoman Empire. However, such actions directly conflicted with the strategic interests of Britain and France, who sought to preserve the integrity of the Ottoman Empire against Russian expansion.

Consequently, in 1850 and again in 1854, the British Royal Navy, often accompanied by French vessels, imposed a naval blockade on the port of Piraeus, effectively paralyzing Greek trade and preventing Greece from intervening in the Crimean War on the side of Russia. These humiliating blockades severely damaged King Otto's standing and popularity among the Greek people, who perceived him as either unwilling or unable to defend national interests against foreign coercion.

The growing discontent was further underscored by an assassination attempt on his consort, Queen Amalia, a popular figure who often served as a counterpoint to Otto's sometimes aloof demeanor. This event highlighted the fragility of the monarchy's position.

Deposition and Exile

By 1862, widespread opposition to Otto's rule had reached a critical mass. Economic hardship, the perceived failure of his foreign policy, and his continued preference for maintaining significant royal prerogative even after the constitution, fueled public dissatisfaction. While King Otto and Queen Amalia were on a royal tour of the Peloponnese, a military coup erupted in Athens on 23 October 1862. The provisional government declared Otto deposed, and the monarchy was effectively dissolved. Unwilling to resist and recognizing the widespread popular support for his removal, Otto did not return to Greece.

He departed Greece on a British warship, the HMS Scylla, and spent the remainder of his life in exile in his native Bavaria. King Otto passed away on 26 July 1867, at the age of 52, in Bamberg, Bavaria, having never set foot in Greece again.

Frequently Asked Questions about King Otto of Greece

Who was King Otto of Greece?

King Otto was a Bavarian prince, the second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who was chosen by the Great Powers (Britain, France, and Russia) to be the first King of independent Greece. He reigned from 1832 to 1862.

Why was Otto chosen as King of Greece?

He was selected by the Great Powers at the Convention of London in 1832 because he was from a non-controversial royal house (Bavaria), ensuring a neutral choice that wouldn't upset the balance of power among the European empires. His youth also suggested he could be influenced.

What was the "Bavarocracy" during Otto's reign?

The "Bavarocracy" (Vavarokratía) refers to the initial period of Otto's rule (1832-1835) when a Bavarian regency council effectively governed Greece due to Otto's minority. It was characterized by the dominant influence of Bavarian officials and policies, which often proved unpopular with the Greek populace.

What was the significance of the 1843 Revolution?

The 3 September 1843 Revolution was a bloodless military uprising that compelled King Otto to grant Greece its first constitution. This event marked a crucial transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, establishing parliamentary rule and guaranteeing certain civil liberties for the Greek people.

Why was King Otto eventually deposed?

King Otto was deposed in 1862 due to a combination of factors: his continued preference for absolute rule despite the constitution, Greece's persistent economic problems, his perceived failure to advance Greek national aspirations (like the "Megali Idea") during the Crimean War, and his inability to effectively manage the influence of the Great Powers without undermining national pride. His absence from Athens during a military uprising facilitated his removal.