First Kingdom of Greece

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The First Kingdom of Greece lasted from 1832 to 1922, when the monarchy was overthrown in a coup.

[edit] House of Wittelsbach

Otto of Greece was crowned on May 1833 as the first king of Greece. During his rule he tried to rule with absolute power. He ruled with a council that did not go well with the Greek people.

[edit] September 3 revolution

By 1843 public dissatisfaction with Otto had reached a tipping point, and the people were starting to make demands for a constitution. Initially Otto refused to grant a constitution, but as soon as German troops were withdrawn from the kingdom, a military coup was launched. On September 3, 1843, the infantry, led by Colonel Kallergis and the respected Revolution captain Ioannis Makriyannis assembled in the square in front of the palace in Athens. The rebellion refused to disperse until the king agreed to grant a constitution, which would require that there be Greeks in the council, that he convene a permanent national assembly, and that Otto personally thank the leaders of the uprising. King Otto gave in to the pressure and agreed to the demands of the crowd.

[edit] House of Glücksburg

In 1862, a second coup was launched that overthrew Otto and installed George I as king. Unlike Otto, George was a Danish prince who was more popular among the Greeks than Otto. The House of Glücksburg reigned until 1924 George II was overthrown in a coup and a republic was declared.