Difference between revisions of "Alexandros Koumoundouros"

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'''Alexandros Koumoundouros''' ([[1817]] - [[February 26]] [[1883]]) was born in a part of [[Messinia prefecture|Messinian]] Mani called “Zarnata” (part of Stavropigio), the son of Spirìdonas-Galanis Koumoundouros who was the [[Bey]] of the area during the last period of the Turkish administration.
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[[Image:Alexandros Koumoundouros.JPG|thumb|200px|left|]]
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'''Alexandros Koumoundouros''' ([[1817]] - [[February 26]] [[1883]]) was a political personality famous for his work towards national progress, his patriotism and unselfishness, despite his having been in office during a very unsettled period of [[Greece|Greek]] history.
  
He was a political personality famous for his work towards national progress, his patriotism and unselfishness, despite his having been in office during a very unsettled period of [[Greece|Greek]] history.
+
Koumoundouros was born in a part of [[Messinia prefecture|Messinian]] [[Mani]] called “Zarnata” (part of Stavropigio), the son of Spiridonas-Galanis Koumoundouros who was the Bey of the area during the last period of the Turkish administration.
  
Alèxandros’ long career encompassed many facets of political life: legislation, parliamentarianism, the promotion of a democratic regime, the restoration of the army, the distribution of national farms to landless farmers, the approval of major construction work (such as the Isthmus of [[Corinth]]), etc…
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His long career encompassed many facets of political life: legislation, parliamentarianism, the promotion of a democratic regime, the organisation of the army, the distribution of national farms to landless farmers, the approval of major construction work (such as the Isthmus of [[Corinth]]), etc…
  
During his 50-year-long period of political involvement he tried to remain neutral, and to avoid confrontation both with the three [[Great Powers]] and with the smaller powers of that time. In this period he held various ministerial appointments eighteen times, was twice president of the Greek Parliament and an outstanding ten times Prime Minister of Greece. Despite many times experiencing inimical conditions, including at least three [[assassination]] attempts, he still managed to create a firm foundation for the future positive recognition of Greece at an international level.
+
During his 50-year-long period of political involvement he tried to remain neutral, and to avoid confrontation both with the three Great Powers and with the smaller powers of that time. In this period he held various ministerial appointments eighteen times, was twice president of the [[Greek Parliament]] and an outstanding ten times Prime Minister of Greece. Despite many times experiencing inimical conditions, including at least three assassination attempts, he still managed to create a firm foundation for the future positive recognition of Greece at an international level.
  
 
After independence, he moved to [[Nafplion]] where he went to school, then to  
 
After independence, he moved to [[Nafplion]] where he went to school, then to  
 
[[Athens]] to study Law.
 
[[Athens]] to study Law.
  
In 1841, he took part in the revolution in [[Crete]] despite believing it was a lost cause-the conditions were not right for such an undertaking at that time.
+
In [[1841]], he took part in the revolution in [[Crete]] despite believing it was a lost cause-the conditions were not right for such an undertaking at that time.
After the end of the revolution he married Ekaterini Mavromichali and his first son (Konstantinos, 1846) and daughter (Marìa) were born. Ekaterìni died young and Alèxandros married Efthimìa Peroti who presented him with his second son in 1858 (Spiridonas).
+
After the end of the revolution he married Ekaterini Mavromichali and his first son (Konstantinos, 1846) and daughter (Maria) were born. Ekaterìni died young and Koumoundouros married Efthimia Peroti who presented him with his second son in [[1858]] (Spiridonas).
  
 
Meanwhile he was appointed as Public Prosecutor in the Tribunal of [[Kalamata]], but he soon quit this position in order to become a politician.
 
Meanwhile he was appointed as Public Prosecutor in the Tribunal of [[Kalamata]], but he soon quit this position in order to become a politician.
His first political distinction emerged in 1853 when he was elected deputy of the prefecture of Messinìa (the greater area of Kalamata). Two years later he became President of the Greek Parliament, and the following year Minister of Economics.
+
His first political distinction emerged in [[1853]] when he was elected deputy of the [[prefecture]] of [[Messinia]] (the greater area of [[Kalamata]]). Two years later he became President of the Greek Parliament, and the following year Minister of Economics.
  
He kept the same ministry in the new governments both of 1857 and 1859. After the overthrow of [[King Otto]] in 1862 he became Minister of Justice of the temporary government.
+
He kept the same ministry in the new governments of [[1857]] and [[1859]]. After the overthrow of [[King Otto]] in [[1862]] he became Minister of Justice of the provisional government.
  
The first elections for a proper government after the fall of Otto took place in 1863 and Alexandros remained as Minister of Justice, however, the extremely poor political stability lead to new elections the following year.
+
The first elections for a proper government after the fall of Otto took place in [[1863]] and Koumoundouros remained as Minister of Justice, however, instability led to new elections the following year.
  
In the succeeding government of 1864, Alèxandros was moved to the Ministry of Religion and Education and later to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
+
In the succeeding government of 1864, Koumoundouros was moved to the Ministry of Religion and Education and later to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On March 25th 1865, he became Prime Minister of Greece for the first time and won the elections of 1866 too. Four years later, he retained the position of the Minister of Army and Internal Affairs, in addition to being Prime Minister. In August 1875, he became President of the Parliament once again and in the elections of the same year he was made Prime Minister of the country once more.
+
On [[March 25]]th [[1865]], he became Prime Minister of Greece for the first time and won the elections of [[1866]] too. Four years later, he retained the position of the Minister of Army and Internal Affairs, in addition to being Prime Minister. In August [[1875]], he became President of the Parliament once again and in the elections of the same year he was made Prime Minister of the country once more.
Elections took place three times in 1876 and Alèxandros won two of them. He also won the elections of 1878.
+
Elections took place three times in [[1876]] and Alexandros won two of them. He also won the elections of [[1878]].
  
March 31st 1881. This is the time of Alexandros’ greatest achievement, when –during his last (tenth) premiership, after diplomatic contacts with Turkey, he managed to bring about the annexation of areas Thesalìa and Àrta on the Greek mainland.
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[[March 31]]st [[1881]] was the time of Koumoundouros’ greatest achievement, when – during his last (tenth) term as premier - after diplomatic negotiations with Turkey, he managed to bring about the annexation of areas [[Thessaly]] and [[Arta]] on the Greek mainland.
  
Right after this achievement he called for new elections so that representatives of the newly annexed regions could enter parliament.
+
Afterwards, he called for new elections so that representatives of the newly-annexed regions could enter parliament.
Despite this concession, the new candidates elected the proxy of the opposition party as President of Parliament. As a result, Alèxandros resigned on March 3rd 1882. He died some months later on February 26th 1883, in his home on Koumoundouros Square (in Athens) and was buried at public expense in the First Cemetery of Athens.
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Despite his achievement, the opposition party candidate was elected President of Parliament. As a result, Koumoundouros resigned on [[March 3]]rd [[1882]]. He died some months later on [[February 26]]th [[1883]], in his home on Koumoundouros Square (in Athens) and was buried at public expense in the First Cemetery of Athens.
  
 
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{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Benizelos Rouphos ]]|after=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|years=March 14, 1865 - November 1, 1865}}
 
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Benizelos Rouphos ]]|after=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|years=March 14, 1865 - November 1, 1865}}
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Dimitrious Voulgaris ]]|after=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|years=November 18, 1865 - November 25, 1865}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Dimitrios Voulgaris ]]|after=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|years=November 18, 1865 - November 25, 1865}}
 
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Dimitrios Voulgaris ]]|after=[[Aristidis Moraitinis ]]|years=December 30, 1866 - January 1, 1868}}
 
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Dimitrios Voulgaris ]]|after=[[Aristidis Moraitinis ]]|years=December 30, 1866 - January 1, 1868}}
 
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|after=[[Thrasivoulos Zaimis ]]|years=December 15, 1870 - November 9, 1871}}
 
{{succession box|title=[[Prime Minister of Greece]]|before=[[Epameinontas Deligeorgis ]]|after=[[Thrasivoulos Zaimis ]]|years=December 15, 1870 - November 9, 1871}}
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[[Category:1883 deaths|Koumoundouros, Alexandros]]
 
[[Category:1883 deaths|Koumoundouros, Alexandros]]
 
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Greece|Koumoundouros, Alexandros]]
 
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Greece|Koumoundouros, Alexandros]]
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[[Category:Greek politicians|Koumoundouros, Alexandros]]

Latest revision as of 18:25, November 11, 2011

Alexandros Koumoundouros.JPG

Alexandros Koumoundouros (1817 - February 26 1883) was a political personality famous for his work towards national progress, his patriotism and unselfishness, despite his having been in office during a very unsettled period of Greek history.

Koumoundouros was born in a part of Messinian Mani called “Zarnata” (part of Stavropigio), the son of Spiridonas-Galanis Koumoundouros who was the Bey of the area during the last period of the Turkish administration.

His long career encompassed many facets of political life: legislation, parliamentarianism, the promotion of a democratic regime, the organisation of the army, the distribution of national farms to landless farmers, the approval of major construction work (such as the Isthmus of Corinth), etc…

During his 50-year-long period of political involvement he tried to remain neutral, and to avoid confrontation both with the three Great Powers and with the smaller powers of that time. In this period he held various ministerial appointments eighteen times, was twice president of the Greek Parliament and an outstanding ten times Prime Minister of Greece. Despite many times experiencing inimical conditions, including at least three assassination attempts, he still managed to create a firm foundation for the future positive recognition of Greece at an international level.

After independence, he moved to Nafplion where he went to school, then to Athens to study Law.

In 1841, he took part in the revolution in Crete despite believing it was a lost cause-the conditions were not right for such an undertaking at that time. After the end of the revolution he married Ekaterini Mavromichali and his first son (Konstantinos, 1846) and daughter (Maria) were born. Ekaterìni died young and Koumoundouros married Efthimia Peroti who presented him with his second son in 1858 (Spiridonas).

Meanwhile he was appointed as Public Prosecutor in the Tribunal of Kalamata, but he soon quit this position in order to become a politician. His first political distinction emerged in 1853 when he was elected deputy of the prefecture of Messinia (the greater area of Kalamata). Two years later he became President of the Greek Parliament, and the following year Minister of Economics.

He kept the same ministry in the new governments of 1857 and 1859. After the overthrow of King Otto in 1862 he became Minister of Justice of the provisional government.

The first elections for a proper government after the fall of Otto took place in 1863 and Koumoundouros remained as Minister of Justice, however, instability led to new elections the following year.

In the succeeding government of 1864, Koumoundouros was moved to the Ministry of Religion and Education and later to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On March 25th 1865, he became Prime Minister of Greece for the first time and won the elections of 1866 too. Four years later, he retained the position of the Minister of Army and Internal Affairs, in addition to being Prime Minister. In August 1875, he became President of the Parliament once again and in the elections of the same year he was made Prime Minister of the country once more. Elections took place three times in 1876 and Alexandros won two of them. He also won the elections of 1878.

March 31st 1881 was the time of Koumoundouros’ greatest achievement, when – during his last (tenth) term as premier - after diplomatic negotiations with Turkey, he managed to bring about the annexation of areas Thessaly and Arta on the Greek mainland.

Afterwards, he called for new elections so that representatives of the newly-annexed regions could enter parliament. Despite his achievement, the opposition party candidate was elected President of Parliament. As a result, Koumoundouros resigned on March 3rd 1882. He died some months later on February 26th 1883, in his home on Koumoundouros Square (in Athens) and was buried at public expense in the First Cemetery of Athens.


Preceded by:
Benizelos Rouphos
Prime Minister of Greece
March 14, 1865 - November 1, 1865
Succeeded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Preceded by:
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Prime Minister of Greece
November 18, 1865 - November 25, 1865
Succeeded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Preceded by:
Dimitrios Voulgaris
Prime Minister of Greece
December 30, 1866 - January 1, 1868
Succeeded by:
Aristidis Moraitinis
Preceded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Prime Minister of Greece
December 15, 1870 - November 9, 1871
Succeeded by:
Thrasivoulos Zaimis
Preceded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis
Prime Minister of Greece
October 27, 1875 - December 8, 1876
Succeeded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Preceded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Prime Minister of Greece
December 13, 1876 - March 10, 1877
Succeeded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Preceded by:
Epameinontas Deligeorgis
Prime Minister of Greece
June 1, 1877 - June 7, 1877
Succeeded by:
Konstantinos Kanaris
Preceded by:
Konstantinos Kanaris
Prime Minister of Greece
September 14, 1877 - November 2, 1878
Succeeded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis
Preceded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis
Prime Minister of Greece
November 7, 1878 - March 22, 1880
Succeeded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis
Preceded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis
Prime Minister of Greece
October 25, 1880 - March 15, 1882
Succeeded by:
Charilaos Trikoupis