The Treaty of London united Britain, France, and Russia to enforce Greek autonomy, directly leading to the Battle of Navarino and eventual Greek independence from Ottoman rule.
Key Facts
- Signing date
- 6 July 1827
- Signatory powers
- United Kingdom, France, Russian Empire
- Ottoman deadline for mediation
- One month to accept or face Allied intervention
- Battle of Navarino
- 20 October 1827 — Allied fleet crushed Ottoman–Egyptian navy
- Russo-Turkish War outbreak
- June 1828, following Ottoman refusal of treaty terms
- Treaty of Adrianople
- Signed 14 September 1829, ending Russo-Turkish War
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Since 17 March 1821, Greece had been in revolt against Ottoman rule. Years of ongoing hostilities and diplomatic negotiations among the major European powers eventually led Britain, France, and Russia to conclude that direct intervention was necessary to end the conflict and establish a resolution acceptable to all parties.
On 6 July 1827, the United Kingdom, Bourbon Restoration France, and the Russian Empire signed the Treaty of London, formally declaring their intention to mediate between Greece and the Ottoman Empire. The treaty stipulated that Greece would become an autonomous Ottoman dependency paying tribute, and authorised the Allies to use force if the Sultan refused the offered armistice.
The Ottoman Empire rejected the treaty, prompting the Allies to intervene militarily. At the Battle of Navarino on 20 October 1827, the Allied fleet destroyed the Ottoman–Egyptian navy, effectively securing Greek independence. Russia subsequently went to war with the Ottomans in 1828–1829, and the Treaty of Adrianople forced territorial concessions from Turkey, which European powers viewed as violating Russia's promises under the 1827 treaty.
Political Outcome
The treaty authorised Allied intervention in the Greek-Ottoman conflict; Ottoman refusal led to the Battle of Navarino and ultimately Greek independence, formalised after the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829.
Ottoman Empire held sovereignty over Greece; European powers had not formally intervened in the Greek revolt.
Allied intervention forced Ottoman recognition of Greek autonomy; Russia gained territorial concessions via the Treaty of Adrianople, reshaping Balkan power dynamics.