HISTORY OF CORFU

The British joining forces with the Russians and the Turks sent their fleets against the French to oust them from the Ionian Islands. One after the other the Ionian Islands came under Russian rule.

At the same time the French came into direct opposition with the Corfiot population in their effort to make up for the financial losses incurred during their war. The arrival of the Russian fleet made matters worse.

Corfiots were mobilised and armed while the entire French garrison was confined within the walls of the fort.

In the countryside anarchy ruled with the Corfiot peasants, out of control due to their hatred for the nobles, looting and murdering.

The incidents taking place in the villages and the pro-Russian slogans worried the French who were now forced to disarm the mobilised Corfiots.

In Corfu Town where the French garrison was in complete control, this was done without resistance. However the Mandouki people did not obey the ordinance, resulting in extensive bombardment of the entire neighborhood. Although initially the Mandouki residents defended their position at the Platitera Monastery, they were later forced to withdraw and disperse.

The Benitses residents put up a similar resistance with reverse results.

THE OCCUPATION OF CORFU – THE OVERTHROWING OF DEMOCRACY

The Russian-Turkish fleet arrived in Corfu in Nov 1799 and demanded the handing over of the island from the French general, Chambord.

The demand was immediately rejected despite the difficulties and anarchy prevailing on the island at that time. This resulted in four months of military clashes between the two sides up to February 1800. The French then signed an agreement handing over administration of the island to the Russian admiral, Ouzakov, and to the Turkish admiral, Katir Beis. Ouzakov came from an aristocratic family and immediately restored the administration that had existed prior to the French and the nobles. He appointed a temporary government with members from the ranks of the nobles and a symbolic participation from the middle class.

THE AUTONOMOUS EPTANESIAN STATE

On April 24th 1799 a new order signed by Ouzakov and the Turkish admiral announced the unification of the Ionian Islands into a Greek and independent state with its own central government and with Corfu as capital. A government – congress with the greatest possible representation from all the islands of the state is established.

The state’s new constitution did not differ much from the one in force during the Venetian occupation. Its drafting was assigned to the literary Venetian and resident of Lefkada, Angelo d’Oro. The constitution was voted without major modifications by the congress.

THE RECOGNITION OF THE EPTANESIAN STATE

The state of Eptanisos was immediately recognised as an independent state by the great powers. An exchange of ambassadors also took place.

The newly established state’s unique responsibility was to pay occupation tax to Turkey as well as the obligation for the incorporation of the crescent moon and star into the flag of the state. This second obligation was never fulfilled. The flag on a blue background showed St Markos’ lion holding the gospel in it’s right paw, seven lances held together with a ribbon with the year 1800 engraved – the date of the newly established state.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

George Theotokis was the newly elected first chairman of the congress. The joint fleets left the island. Under the new constitution the people lost all the political rights given to them by the French. Upon departure of the Russian-Turkish Alliance there was a general uprising, followed by a period of anarchy. In the countryside revolting, looting and burning became a daily affair. In their effort to face the situation, the Russians sent troops and a fleet to Corfu under the leadership of the Zakinthinian count, Montsenigio and order was restored.

The government was restored, the congress was renewed and a new constitution was voted in 1803 under which the Eptanesian state was proclaimed ‘one and aristocratic’ with Eastern Orthodoxy as its official religion.

EDUCATION

Many important efforts for the promotion of education were made during this period such as the establishment of the first Greek public school in the East. Despite all this, no significant progress was registered.