The reformist party in Ionian islands, (1848-1852) : Internal conflicts and nationalist aspirations
Part of : Balkan studies : biannual publication of the Institute for Balkan Studies ; Vol.26, No.2, 1985, pages 351-361
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351-361
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The reform of the Ionian Constitution in 1848-49 owed much to theinfluence of a small group of liberal Reformers on the Lord High Commissioner,Lord Seaton. But in the 9th Assembly, the first elected under the newdispensation, it was the Radicals who, though a minority, were by their cohesivenessand vehemence the most effective party. Following a resolution bythis group for immediate union with Greece the new Lord High Commissioner,Sir Henry Ward, secured a dissolution of the Assembly. Ward thenattempted to achieve a modus vivendi with the Reformists who, viewing unionwith Greece as a long term commitment, meanwhile aimed at securing furtherconstitutional concessions. In the ensuing elections the Radicals werevirtually decimated and what appeared to be a safe majority of Reformistswas returned to the 10th Assembly. In the event the hopes of securing furtherconcessions from the British Government were confounded by internal disagreementsamongst the Reformists. Napoleon Zambelis, apparently alarmedat the unscrupulous behaviour of local officials in his native Santa Mauraduring the elections, and apparently feeling that the proposed reforms wouldclose the way to eventual union, determined to oppose the proposed measures.The outcome of Zambelis’ opposition was the rejection of any further reformby the Assembly. This study seeks to elucidate the specifically ’Ionian’ sideof an event which is regarded as crucially important in the campaign for theunion of the Ionian Islands with Greece.
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