London Protocol defines an autonomous Greek state

Background. The creation of a Greek state became certain following the Greek War of Independence, which began in 1821. Great Power intervention, particularly after the Treaty of London and the Battle of Navarino in 1827, solidified this outcome. The conflict involved British, French, and Russian assistance to Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire, setting the stage for diplomatic agreements defining the new state's status.

Diplomatic Context. Ioannis Kapodistrias, entrusted with governance by the Third National Assembly, arrived in Greece in January 1828. He negotiated with Great Powers regarding the new state's extent and constitutional status. The Poros Conference in September 1828 discussed borders, with ambassadors recommending a broad territorial basis. However, the Great Powers ultimately disregarded these recommendations when finalizing the London Protocol in November 1828.

Protocol Terms. The London Protocol established an internally autonomous but tributary Greek state under Ottoman suzerainty. It was limited to the Peloponnese (Morea) and the Cyclades islands. This agreement was agreed by Great Britain, France, and Russia. The protocol was later amended on 22 March 1829 by the second London Protocol, which largely accepted the Poros Conference's recommendations for broader borders; that later protocol did not include Samos and Crete.