Lafayette's Efforts to Send American Aid to Revolutionary Greece

Abstract

The Greeks rebelled against Turkish rule in March 1821 wim high hopes of obtaining foreign assistance in their endeavor. They were almost certain that aid would be forthcoming from Russia, with which they had religious and cultural ties. They soon realized, however, that the governments of England, France, Austria and Prussia would stand in the way of Russian involvement. This was partly due to their own interests in maintaining the Ottoman Empire as a means of restraining Russian expansion and keeping a balance of power in southeastern Europe. It was also due to their considerable fear of unleashing the revolutionary spirit upon a Europe that needed repose. However, mis did not prevent the Greeks from appealing to the West for private assistance, primarily in the form of economic aid. Europeans and Americans responded quickly to the Greek call for help primarily because of the classical education which was popular in the West. They sent money, armaments and provisions to Greece, and volunteers set forth to assist me fighting Greeks. Philhellenic activities in the form of public meetings, concerts, balls, speeches, solicitations for funds and the establishment of committees occurred throughout the major cities of Europe and America. As philhellenism rose in popularity, constitutional monarchies like England and France came under increasing philhellenic pressure until they changed tA-ieir attitude toward Greece and began to align themselves with Russia to help Greece gain her freedom. French philhellenism became intensely active. The Paris Greek Committee became the leader of the philhellenic movement in Europe and was able to send to Greece, after a three year campaign, about $325,000 (£65,000).' It attracted members of all parties and ranks, republicans and royalists, bourgeois and dukes, sergeants and