Page 284 - Beholding Liberty!
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284 BEHOLDING LIBERTY!
The liberating struggle of Greece did
not unfold only in the field of military operations. Equally decisive was the effort of the revolted nation of the Greeks to accomplish the transition from the state
of slavery and hetero-determination
to the condition of citizenship – a process not at all self-evident, straight or bloodless. The overthrow of the Ottoman authority
had created an administrative void – and for this reason from the first moment of
the uprising the need transpired for the establishment of government authority
and central administration structures, which would be able to coordinate better both the war fronts and crucial domains
of public life, such as administration, economy and education.
Ioannis Kapodistrias, the subsequently
first Governor of Greece, already from
the first months of the Revolution addresses appeals to the Greeks to take care of the administrative organization of the under Greek authority regions.
In his memorandum of 17 July 1821,
as a matter of fact, he advises avoiding innovations and respecting absolutely the local traditions, at the same time, however,
