Ottoman domination of the eastern Mediterranean inhibited communications and transport. However, the Balkan people contacted foreign countries both by commerce and by participation in war. They achieved their goals and profited from the political situation; occassionally they served foreign interests and propaganda.

The era preceding the Greek Revolution was a period of universal upheaval. The War of American Independence (1776-83), the French Revolution in 1789, Napoleon's invasion of Italy and the situation in Spain and Austo-Hungary troubled the status quo, so sacredly defended by the Holy Alliance.

Two powers intervened in the Ottoman Empire and influenced the course and the outcome of the Greek issue. Russia's role was obvious; it was the Orthodox Empire, successor of the Byzantine Empire. Moscow was considered the Third Rome, showing the double headed eagle in its flag. Peter the Great, Catherine II and the Greeks allied against the Sultan. To counterbalance the Russian influence, the French air of liberalism managed to inspire those uninspired Greeks and turn their attention to the West.