Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

government and lead to anarchy in the Islands. His concerns appeared justified with
the outbreak of the Cephalonian rebellions.
Uprising in Cephalonia
Soon after his arrival, Ward began to construct Ionians as the enemies of
British presence on the Islands. Despite Seaton’s political alliances, support for the
British was dwindling by 1849. 37 “Friends of the Protectorate”, known as
Retrogrates, were Ionian aristocrats who had monopolised offices in the colonial
administration for many years and supported the administration regardless of who
the governor was and what policies he enforced. They were “protectionists” trying to
preserve their power and the preservation of the old status quo despite diminishing
popular support. 38 The moderates, the majority of whom were the Liberali, were
Seaton’s closest allies and advocated reforms within the colonial context. But they
saw their support erode due to British delays in ratifying Seaton’s reforms. Radical
activists emerged in Cephalonia, Zante, and Santa Maura, demanding a more
extensive reform programme and union of the Islands with Greece. Calligas notes
37 Papadatou G., “To kinima ton Rizospaston ke to Ionio kratos” [The Risospasti movement and the
Ionian State], Praktika tou Ektou Diethnes Panioniou Synedriou [Proceedings of the 6 th International
Pan-Ionian Conference], Zakynthos, (23-27 September 1997) 2, (Athens 2001) pp. 533-44; Calligas
E., “The Rizospastai (Radicals-Unionists)”, pp. 84, 90; Verykios S., I Istoria ton Inomenon Kraton
ton Ionion Nison, [The History of the United States of the Ionian Islands], pp. 250-258; Alisandratos
G., “O Eptanisiakos Rizospastismos, 1848-1864” [Ionian Radicalism, 1848-1864], To Ionio,
perivallon, koinonia, politismos, Praktika Symposiou, [Proceedings of the Ionian environment,
society, culture], (Athens, 1984), pp. 25-43. On similarities and differences between the Ionian
radicals and British Chartists, Calligas briefly notes both were “mass popular movements”, but the
Risospasti adopted only certain ideas about social and parliamentary reform from the Chartists
because of the fundamental differences in socio-economic systems and societies between Britain and
the Septinsula. Calligas E., “The Rizospastai (Radicals-Unionists)”, p. 164.
38 Papadatou G., “To kinima ton Rizospaston ke to Ionio kratos” [The Risospasti movement and the
Ionian State], p. 541.
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