Battle of Navarino

**Naval Battle of Navarino**
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The Naval Battle of Navarino took place on 8 October 1827, during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832), in the bay of Navarino (the Pylos of modern-day), on the western shore of the Peloponnese Peninsula, in the Ionian Sea.

**Background**
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The Greek national free revolution began in July 1821 with an anti-Turkish uprising that spread across the continental country and the islands of Crete and Cyprus. The National Assembly gathered in Piad (now Pylos) on January 22, 1822, and declared the creation of the Greek republic with a capital in Corinth. However, internal conflicts between the insurgency leaders led to two civil wars from 1823-1825.

**The Conflict Escalates**
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The Ottoman Empire, aided by Muhammad Ali's forces, initially suppressed the uprising. On May 8, 1825, they captured the fortress port of Navar (now Pylos) after a long siege. The conflict continued to escalate, with the European powers becoming increasingly involved.

**Causes of the Naval Battle**
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The decisive factor that led to the intervention of the European powers was Russia's ambition to extend its territories in the Black Sea region at the expense of the Ottoman Empire. Additionally, the Russians were motivated by their support for Greek Orthodox co-religionists. The state of mind of the Russians played a significant role in favoring the involvement of the Great European Powers.

**The Battle**
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On 8 October 1827, a combined Egyptian-Ottoman fleet was destroyed by an Allied naval force consisting of ships from the British Empire, the Kingdom of France, and the Russian Empire. The ships of the anti-Ottoman alliance were better armed and trained than their opponents, resulting in a crushing victory for the Great European Powers.

**Significance**
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The Naval Battle of Navarino was the last great naval battle fought exclusively with sailboats. It marked a significant turning point in the Greek War of Independence, as it gave the Greeks a crucial advantage over their Ottoman and Egyptian opponents. The battle also highlighted the growing involvement of European powers in the conflict, which would ultimately lead to the independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire.