In 1821, much of Greece revolted against the Ottoman Empire. The
island of Chios did not join the uprising. Because of its unique and
very lucrative mastic resin production and its maritime trade it was
very prosperous and its people wanted peace. The following year all
changed and one of the greatest tragedies of the Greek people and
European history up to that time took place.
On March 24, 1822, a fleet of small ships landed a largely Samian
force of rebels on Chios. It was led by Lycourgas Logothetes from
Samos and Antonio Bournias from Chios. They sought to raise a revolt
among the island population. Some of the islanders joined but many,
including the Metropolitan, were against an uprising. Since there
was already a substantial Turkish garrison there and they were only
a few miles from the mainland of Turkey, they felt that this was a
hopeless cause.
The Greeks were not aware that the Chians’ chance of success was
even further destroyed by the fact that British and French diplomats
in Constantinople had betrayed the plans for a Chian revolt to the
Ottoman government. This allowed the Sultan’s government to make
preparations in advance to crush the uprising on Chios.
Sultan Mahmud was furious that there should be any revolt on
Chios, which had been treated by the Ottomans better than much of
the rest of Greece. He ordered that a bloody example be made of the
island. A massive Ottoman fleet and large military force was
directed to the island. It was commanded by the Sultan to kill all
males over 12, all women over 40 and all children up to two years of
age.
The Fleet arrived at Chios on Holy Thursday, April 12, 1822. The
militia landed on the following day, Holy Friday.
An incredible orgy of killing, rape and plunder began. The
Sultan’s orders were carried out and many thousands of innocent men,
women and children were massacred within the first two weeks.
Churches were destroyed and Icons desecrated. Only the mastic
regions were spared because of their profitability.
The Samians fled quickly, leaving the Chiotes to their fate.
After Admiral Canaris blew up the Turkish flagship, the mastic
regions were next. A new orgy of murders followed. By the time it
was over, more than 60,000, most of the Greek population was dead.
Some 40,000 were enslaved. Others fled and only a few thousand
remained on the island, which had not yet recovered from its
calamity and would remain under Turkey for another century.
The news of the Massacre spread throughout Europe and America. It
shocked the Western world. Many famous people consequently became
ardent supporters of Greek independence. In France, Delacroix
painted a monumental picture about it. Victor Hugo wrote a poem
commemorating it. British Lord Byron went to Greece and joined the
revolution. In America, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and many others
now supported the Greek cause. Thousands of European volunteers and
finally the intervention of Western navies joined Greek
Revolutionaries to secure Greek Independence. It was the shock wave
generated by the massacre that was critical in helping to obtain
enough support to bring about a rebirth of Greek freedom. If the
conscience of the western world had not been awakened by the Chios
Massacre, all of Greece might have remained under the Turkish yoke
for many years to come.
Through their deaths and suffering, the people of Chios achieved
their greatest victory.
