The London Protocol emerged from decades of Greek resistance against Ottoman rule, culminating in the Greek War of Independence that started in 1821. The conflict saw various Greek factions fighting for liberation, leading to significant bloodshed and complex geopolitical maneuvering. To address the humanitarian issues and maintain stability in the eastern Mediterranean, the Great Powers at the time—Britain, France, and Russia—involved themselves in negotiations regarding the future of Greece. This culminated in the London Protocol of 1828, which encompassed provisions for the establishment of an autonomous Greek state under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire, specifically including the Morea (Peloponnese) and the Cyclades islands. The protocol was a significant step following the Treaty of Adrianople, aiming to satisfy both the Greek desire for autonomy and Ottoman concerns over territorial integrity.

This arrangement was intended to showcase a balance of power while addressing the aspirations of the Greek people. It represented a compromise that acknowledged the realities of the time, highlighting the shifting dynamics in European politics, as nationalists in Greece sought to distance themselves from Ottoman governance while European powers navigated their interests. The protocol laid the groundwork for the future independence of Greece, thus contributing to the larger narrative of national movements across Europe in the 19th century, and setting a precedent for interventions in regions under foreign dominion.