treatment of the population as if they were inferior citizens. Between 1815 and 1821 his influence with the Tsar was great by sharing the conduct of foreign affairs with the proper minister Karl Nesselrode. By the same token the Tsar’s confidence in him started to decline, being gradually undermined by the Austrian stateman Clemens Metternich who was known to be against any liberal or revolutionary movement. Actually, during the congress of Laibach in 1821 when the Greek revolt of March 25 was brought up, it created in Kapodistrias an intolerable dilemma between his Greek sentiments and his allegiance and employment in the Russian service. The Tsar was unwilling to support the Greek revolt, thus Kapodistrias decided to withdraw from his post in 1822 settling in Geneva Switzerland for about five years and devoting himself to the material and moral relief of the Greeks who began to see him as a potential leader.

In 1814 the "Philiki Etairia" was formed in Odessa with the aim of preparing the Greek revolt. By the same time the "Philomuse Society"was formed in Vienna, whose president was Kapodistrias. The two societies had somewhat of a kinship. However when Emmanuel Xanthos of the "Philiki Etairia" asked Kapodistrias to become its leader he declined knowing the Tsar’s opposition to adversary functions. Kapodistrias also believed that if the revolution was to proceed he could give greater assistance from his present position of influence thus softening the Tsar’s attitudes.

Eventually the revolt took place on March 25, 1821 at the monastery of Aghia Lavra in Peloponnesos, under bishop Paleon Patron Germanos, who raised the banner of revolution. This day, ever since, became the official day of celebration of the Independence of the Greek Ethnos.

For the seven years that the War of Independence lasted, things did not go as well as anticipated. There was great disorganization in the armies, and political conflicts among the different parties of which each favored one of the three Great Powers, England, France and Russia. The help and participation of the foreign powers helped the revolution. Among the foreigners who enlisted to help the Greeks, the most famous was the British poet Lord Byron who was killed during the siege of Messolonghi. The final blow to the Ottoman Empire in Greece was given on October 20, 1827 at the naval battle of Navarino, when the three admirals (Codrington. DeRigny and Van Der Heyden) defeated the Ottoman fleet.

On April 6, 1827 Kapodistrias was elected Governor of Greece for a term of seven years and supported by the British philhellenes. He was also allowed to resign from his Russian service. Subsequently he toured Europe in search of financial and diplomatic support. He landed in Nauplion on January 1828.He was thought to be the only Greek at that time capable of providing a war torn country with law and stability, thus he was welcomed as a savior. The vast diplomatic experience of Kapodistrias made him realize that elaborate constitutions and unwieldy representative organizations such as the Assembly would be a hindrance to a newly formed country as Greece.

When Kapodistrias became Governor he found Greece in a sad and disheartening state of affairs in all aspects of life. Pennyless government, a land still having hostile foreign armies, a people divided between a peasantry with allegiance to the church and old traditions, and a limited class of intellectuals who were influenced by western ideas. Nor was it easy to satisfy the three protecting powers, England France and Russia. His austere devotion to duty and his tenacity in making head against obstacles, won him widespread support.

Kapodistrias’ first concern, when he became premier was to familiarize himself with the prevailing conditions of the country. In his first edict to the people he said among other things. "If God is with us nobody can be against us." He fought hard with the powers to secure as broad a border for Greece as possible. The idea of limiting the borders of Greece to Peloponnesos and few islands, he thought was not only unfair but also impractical for defensive reasons. Athens should be included in the new frontiers. The final frontiers were restored by the European convention of May 7, 1832.

The way he managed the internal affairs was by assembling a governmental body that he divided in three branches: Financial, Internal and Military. He used politicians from the three parties thus managing to reconcile the parties and see that the three branches were cooperating with each other, rather than fighting each other. He gained thus the people’s trust.

Next, he systematically applied himself in the formation of different governmental functions and imposed respect for laws and the government. He struggled against anarchy, brigandry, piracy in the seas, arbitrary acts and force. He founded the Military School of Evelpides. He set up schools and orphanages in the provinces, and stabilized courts and the post office. He kept the position of the church very high and promoted commerce and the cultivation of the fields.

On the negative side, one can say that he distrusted almost all who had exerted power before him; the ship and land owners, the klephtes, the Phanariotes, the philhellenes and the intellectuals. However Kolokotronis whom he met years ago had gained his trust as well as admiral Constantin Kanaris. In short, one can say that in a small span of time he managed to give the recuperating Greece, the notion of a civilized country. Nevertheless, sooner or later, he faced the hostility and intrigues of different party organizers, of personal interests and brigands. He was accused by the anglophile and francophile factions for wanting to submit Greece to the Russian domination. lt is known however that he did not show any preference or allegiance to the russophile faction, whence he was getting similar slanders. Kapodistrias thought of ruling the new Greek nation getting support from foreign powers without submitting his national pride or becoming agent of one or the other power; a task very difficult to perform. He knew that by siding with one or the other, would be detrimental to the national interests by creating animosity among the powers.

Leaders of the above mentioned parties were: Alexandros Mavrokordatos for the English party, Ioannis Kolettis for the French and Andreas Metaxas for the Russian party.

Mavrokordatos allying with Koundouriotides from Hydra and Mavromikhalei from Mani started intense polemics against Kapodistrias and his government. Also the other leaders, frequently supported by the ambassadors of foreign powers did not lack in intrigues and slanders. Kapodistrias as soon as he learned of a major revolt sent army under Kalergis and navy under the leadership of Kanaris who were able to curb the rebels. The Hydra people went a step further and stopped recognizing Kapodistrias as head of the state and spread the rebellion to other places in Greece. These events continued even within the city of Nauplion (then capital of the new country). Again under the leadership of Kanaris these rebellions were quelled.

Kolokotronis managed to stay out of the ugly and anti-nationalistic acts, but when The Mavromikhalis clan threatened to seize Messini he stopped them by active interference. The situation had reached complete anarchy.

The end result of these tragic events was an even more tragic event. The murder of loannis Kapodistrias, which in turn lead to a long standing chaos and unstable governance.

Constantin and George Mavromikhalis, backed by the French ambassador at one Sunday morning on October 9/1831 were waiting for Kapodistrias upon his entry to the church and killed him.

Thus ended the reconstructive work of the first Premier of Greece as an independent nation, loannis Kapodistrias.