Abstract
During the Greek War for Independence, the city of Missolonghi experienced major demographic, economic and social changes. As far as the population is concerned, it soon grew dramatically, perhaps it doubled, mainly due to the large number of refugees from the northern regions. The persistent organizational efforts of the local administration had rather limited results due to the resistance of the traditionally strong social groups, especially the chieftains in the countryside, while the existence of a rivalling party of chieftains and notables that opposed the presence and the action of Al. Mavrokordatos, contributed to the internal turmoil. The notables in Missolonghi played a prominent role in the occupancy of the local public proceeds. The real stake was the power in the narrow area of Missolonghi, both for its symbolic value and the economic benefits it entailed for the traditionally strong families of the city. The economic activity in the entire area of west Central Greece had l ...
During the Greek War for Independence, the city of Missolonghi experienced major demographic, economic and social changes. As far as the population is concerned, it soon grew dramatically, perhaps it doubled, mainly due to the large number of refugees from the northern regions. The persistent organizational efforts of the local administration had rather limited results due to the resistance of the traditionally strong social groups, especially the chieftains in the countryside, while the existence of a rivalling party of chieftains and notables that opposed the presence and the action of Al. Mavrokordatos, contributed to the internal turmoil. The notables in Missolonghi played a prominent role in the occupancy of the local public proceeds. The real stake was the power in the narrow area of Missolonghi, both for its symbolic value and the economic benefits it entailed for the traditionally strong families of the city. The economic activity in the entire area of west Central Greece had largely developed beyond the control of the newly established central and local administrative authorities. During the last siege, the financial management was related to the allocation of money to the various needs and the distribution of food to armed men and civilians. The collapse of exchange-rate transactions highlighted the misdistribution of the allocated money to rations and wages, at the expense of purchasing food, which would be safely stored and distributed in a way that would reduce the inequalities in the city. At the same time, the lack of timely governmental planning, which concerned the allocation of the available resources, especially the money of the second British loan, had been evident, since the second half of 1825, and was a weakness that allowed private suppliers to adopt a more commercial logic. What is obvious about the rebels' side, is a gap between the commitments to achieve goals that required collective effort and the ones to satisfy the individual goals and interests of all those groups-namely notables, ship owners, chieftains, traders - that could influence the making and the execution of political decisions, often based on personal, family or localistic benefits. So, there was a large lack of coordination of opposing interests, a substantial lack of leadership. The outcome of the warfare operations during the first phase of the last siege was successful for the defending side, thanks to their collective organization, endurance, the valorisation of the fortifications, their experience and inventiveness, as well as the help from the Greek fleet. At the same time, the extent of the famine in Missolonghi during the siege was unprecedented, triggering a humanitarian crisis, which eventually led to several incidents of cannibalism. The psychological challenges were intense as well, because everyone had to struggle to preserve their humanly personality. The boundaries between the civilian population and the armed guards were relativised, as women and children participated in the events, experiencing the consequences, namely fear, anxiety, hunger, and death. Thus, sex and age limits were tested as teenagers grew up earlier and violently, while women were able to overcome the stereotypes and the limitations. The armed people who survived after the Exodus were engaged in subsequent political and warfare events, remaining collectively and individually proud of their participation in an event that was considered unique in terms of heroism.
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