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

On 28 May 1864 the protocol relinquishing the Ionian Islands to Greece was
signed by Storks and Zaimi, the Commissioner Extraordinary of the Greek
government. Britain's withdrawal from the Islands included all their guns and
military equipment, bar material that was outdated, and excepted “palace
furnishings” for the reception of the King. 152 The Times covered the annexation of
Ionian Islands to Greece; their correspondent described the last scenes of farewell
between the Ionians and their protectors in an emotional tone. 153 The Daily News also
highlighted the takeover of the Islands by Greece in its column. 154
Greek historiography has long treated the union with Greece as the triumphant
achievement of a long Risospasti campaign while habitually marginalising the voices
of Ionians opposed to the union, utilising language that treated them as unpatriotic or
as ‘the enemies within’. 155 Most historiography has underestimated the political
motivations of Britain and the other European Powers when they finally effectuated
union. The cession of the Septinsula was a masterpiece of diplomacy aimed to
promote British interests in the Mediterranean and Near East. In giving up a small
protectorate, Britain ultimately obtained a bigger one.
152 Russell to Trikoupi, 1 March 1864, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/108; Russell to de Grey, 24 March
1864, Russell Papers, PRO 30/22/31; de Grey to Russell, 31 March 1864, Russell Papers, PRO
30/22/26.
153 The Times, 9 May 1864, 13 June 1864, 14 June 1864.
154 Daily News, 2 July 1863, 14 August 1863, 5 January 1864, 3 June 1864, 7 June 1864.
155 Verykios S., I Istoria ton Inomenon Kraton ton Ionion Nison, [The History of the United States of
the Ionian Islands], pp. 414-415.
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