The Greek Revolution was a time of confusion and opinions,
all of which were either majorly or slightly different from the next. Some who
contemplated over the revolution as it was rising thought it would only result
in destruction. Others supported the Greeks and predicted their success by
looking at their current progress. Everyone had reasoning behind their
opinions, whether they were how it could benefit them or just the nature of the
Greeks and the Turks.
People such as Mustapha the third,
who was sultan at the time, was totally against the Greek Revolution. Mustapha
did all he could to prevent uprisings, mainly because his position in power was
at risk. Vahid Pasha agreed with Mustapha, calling the revolution seekers
“drunkards shamelessly roaming about and cheering.” These two high members of
society looked down upon the Greeks.
Many
others argued that during the revolution the Greeks should have been supported
for numerous purposes. Claude Etienne Savary and Percy Bysshe Shelley spoke of
the culture of Greece and how it’s laws, literature, and arts must be preserved
especially after the Turks destructive nature towards it all. Snyed Davis was
speaking of the successfulness of how Athens used to be and how the Turks have
ruined the land, implying that change needed to be put in action. Alexandros
Kalphoglou, and the Greek Exiles themselves all had reasoning for rebellion,
talking about how they are worthy and deserve to be granted independence.
James Dallaway seems to have a
neutral view of both the Turks and the Greeks, because he mentions “they’re
only less ignorant than their Turkish masters.” He is neither for nor against
the Greek Revolution, as a large number of people. Edward Blaquiere thought
that the fighting should never have started, and it was all just foolish,
slightly siding with the turks. Alexander Mavrocordato noted that “humanity,
religion, and interest all plead in their [the Greeks] favor,” so he wasn’t
saying he necessarily supported them, but that people must be aware of them and
their power.
At the time there were many
opposing views on the Greek Revolution and it’s progression, but it seems that
a majority of people supported the Greeks and their fight for independence.
