Ikarian Revolution
| Ikarian Revolution | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Evdilotes celebrating the raising of the Ikarian flag in August, 1912. | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Template:Country data Icaria Ikarian revolutionaries |
 Ottoman Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Template:Country data IcariaIoannis Malachias Template:Country data IcariaGeorgios Fountoulis Template:Country data IcariaKonstantinos Koukoulias |
Thucydides Efendi | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 50 | 26-31 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed | 26-31 captured | ||||||
The Ikarian Revolution or the Icarian Revolution was a successful war of independence for the island of Ikaria against the Ottoman Empire, which took place in July of 1912.[1] The War led to the short-lived independence of the Free State of Icaria[1], which included the neighbouring island of Fournoi, before the Free State united with Greece in November of that same year.[1]
Lead-up
The Ikarian Revolution was driven by deep-seated anger toward Ottoman rule, especially due to new taxes and a tobacco ban that endangered people's livelihoods.[2] This discontent grew alongside increasing Greek nationalism, or enosis[2], and a desire for self-governance. The revolution was meant to start earlier on in July, but there was a delay, largely due to logistical challenges in coordinating the arrival of armed volunteers and supplies from the Ikarian diaspora at Samos. Additionally, the revolutionaries wanted to ensure the Ottoman administration remained unaware of the armed rebels gathering in the mountains.
Furthermore, the overall timing of July 1912 was chosen because the Ottoman Empire was already exhausted and distracted by the Italo-Turkish War, which had been ongoing for 10 months.[2]
Revolution
On the afternoon of the 16th,[2] two groups of revolutionaries, one led by Koukoulias and the other by Malachias and Fountoulis, took the town of Evdilos, where 7 policemen, or gendarmerie, were stationed.[3] The battle was bloodless, with the Ikarians capturing the Ottoman forces.
Unbeknownst to the revolutionaries, two Ottomans had fled east from Evdilos to Agios Kirykos to warn Efendi, the leader of the garrison on the island, of the resistance.[3][2] In response, Efendi dispatched 9 men from his army to neutralise the revolutionary forces.[1][2]
Meanwhile, Malachias had ordered Koukoulias' revolutionaries, of which there were 14, to split off from the main resistance group,to ensure the Ottomans didn't escape from the island.[3] They were to march to Raches and unite again later.[3]
After around a day of marching[1], Koukoulias' group came together with Malachias' group again in the village of Chrysostomos[3], where they were confronted by the 9 Ottoman soldiers earlier dispatched, on the afternoon of the 17th. A skirmish followed, resulting in the only fatality of the entire revolution.[3] Georgios Spanos, who reportedly arrived late to the battle, was shot in confusion by friendly fire.[3][2] Again,the Ottoman forces were captured.[3]
After the victory at Chrysostomos, the revolutionaries continued with their march to Ikaria's capital. Both groups of revolutionaries reached Agios Kirykos on the night of the 17th, only to find that Efendi and the rest of the garrison force, only 10 to 15 men at this point, had barricaded themselves in the administrative building of the city. This would go on to be a disastrous mistake, as Fountoulis was the architect and knew the place like the back of his hand.[2]
He positioned the armed Ikarians to ensure that the Ottomans had no way to escape.
Throughout the night of July 17, the revolutionaries maintained a tight perimeter. The Ottoman forces were trapped inside with dwindling options. The building was blown up later that night by sticks of dynamite thrown by revolutionaries by the names of "Roussos" and "Sakoutis".[3]
On the morning of July 18, the revolution ended through negotiation. Efendi formally surrendered himself and his forces to the revolutionaries.[1] By mid-morning on the 18th, Agios Kirykos was entirely under the control of the revolutionary government, marking the end of Ottoman administration on the island.[1]
Aftermath
Following the surrender of the Ottoman administration in Agios Kirykos that morning, the Free State of Ikaria (Elefthéra Politeía Ikarías) was officially proclaimed.[1][2]
Shortly after Ikarian independence, in August of 1912, the neighbouring Fournoi islands were liberated and voluntarily joined the Free State.
Ioannis Malachias was named its first and only president. The new state immediately established its own government, flag, national anthem, and postage stamps.[3]
The steamship Cleopatra, the Free State's only ship and vital supply vessel was purchased and donated[1] by the affluent Ikarian diaspora in Egypt. It arrived in Ikaria in September 1912 to begin its mission of transporting food and supplies between the independent islands and Greek ports, helping to combat the severe food shortages caused by the Ottoman blockade.[1]
In November of 1913, Ikaria united with Greece.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JyBHCWBjgK
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 https://www.thecollector.com/ottoman-empire-tiny-island-won-ikaria/
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM_CBMBWVac
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