Revolution of 1843

Greek history

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June 26, 2026

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The "Revolution of 1843" in Greek history refers to a significant event where King Otto was compelled to grant a constitution. Otto, the first king of modern Greece, initially ruled autocratically after being chosen by European powers in 1832. His Bavarian advisors' absolutist policies and heavy taxation led to widespread discontent.

In 1843, fueled by dissatisfaction with Otto's rule and his foreign policy failures, a revolt erupted. This uprising forced Otto to concede to the demands of the Greeks, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. This marked a shift from autocratic rule to a system where the king's power was limited by a constitution, with a Greek oligarchy replacing the former Bavarian influence.1

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Greece
Greece under Otto of Wittelsbach
…the military coup of September 1843. Nearly bloodless, the coup was the first of many military interventions in Greece’s political process. Otto was forced to grant a constitution (promulgated in 1844), which was a liberal document by the standards of the day, providing for virtually universal manhood suffrage (although women…
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…the military coup of September 1843. Nearly bloodless, the coup was the first of many military interventions in Greece’s political process. Otto was forced to grant a constitution (promulgated in 1844), which was a liberal document by the standards of the day, providing for virtually universal manhood suffrage (although women…
Read More