Statesman, Diplomat, Philosopher, Writer (1878 – 1920)
Ion Dragoumis is the “Father of Hellenic Nationalism”. With his work as writer and diplomat he became the leading figure, organizer and inspirer of the Macedonian Struggle during the beginning of the 20th century. A flaming patriot and revolutionary, Dragoumis was a prominent supporter of the Megali Idea (Great Idea) and envisioned a Greater Greece in which all the Greeks could live together united as one and free. His pure motivations, continuous struggles and his assassination proved that he was an intellectual diplomat and one of the very few great politicians of Modern Greek history.
Dragoumis’ ethnic work began in 1902 when he served as consul in Bitola. He also served as consul in Alexandria, Dedeagatch and Constantinople. In Constantinople he founded the “Organization of Constantinople” with the purpose of communication and co-operation of all ethnicities subjugated to the Ottoman Empire, regardless of religion, and their peaceful development under a common Greek element. Afterwards he went to Bulgaria where he served as vice consul in Philippoupolis. Together with his brother-in-law Pavlos Melas, he organized the orthodox communities against the Bulgarian forces. Moreover, he organized a conference in 1911 for the reclaiming of the Dodecanese from the Italians. During the Balkan Wars, Dragoumis enlisted in the army and together with Victor Dousmanis and John Metaxas they negotiated over the surrender of Thessaloniki to Greece. He was elected member of the Parliament in 1915 and would frequently express his nationalistic ideas through newspapers, magazines and books that he wrote, prompting the Greeks to reawaken and embrace the dawn of New Hellenism.
Ion Dragoumis represented the major exponent of Greek nationalism. His numerous works and his actions prove that he was a patriot not just in words but in actions as well, for every move he made was in accordance to his nationalistic beliefs. Dragoumis’ nationalism was not like communism, fascism or any other kind of pseudonationalism of modern day’s society. It originated from the Greek Civilization and placed the Greek as an individual in its epicenter. The modern Greek was part of the Greek race that had retained all its special characteristics and values throughout the ages of its existence. Dragoumis firmly believed in the spiritual Renaissance of the Greek nation (which is the topic of his magnum opus «Ὅσοι Ζωντανοί» (Hosi Zontani)), the continuation and evolution of the Greek heritage, the values of direct democracy and in a nation of freedom. If based on the Greek traditions, language and way of life, the Greeks could once again thrive. Furthermore he did not reject the influence of other nations nor did he consider them as a negative influence toward Greece. For him, the Greek race and the Greek nation are one and the same.
Originally a proponent of Eleutherios Venizelos, Dragoumis turned against him as he saw that his political motivations were against the betterment of Greece. His actions resulted to his exile by the Venizelic government in Scopelos. On July 31st, 1920, just one day after the assassination attempt of Prime Minister Eleutherios Venizelos, Ion Dragoumis was murdered by the Venizelic security battalions in Athens. His assassination deprived Greece of one of its most valuable statesmen and most dedicated patriots.
Bibliography
- “Dragoumis, Ion”. Helios New Encyclopaedic Dictionary. Passas, I. Athens, 1946. Print.
- ION DRAGOUMIS. Greece.com. Web. September 3, 2016.
- Ίων Δραγούμης ο πατέρας του Ελληνικού Εθνικισμού!. Antepithesi.gr. Web. September 3, 2016.