Otto I, born Otto Friedrich Ludwig von Wittelsbach on 1 June 1815, became King of Greece on 7 May 1832, following the establishment of the Kingdom of Greece under the Convention of London. He was the second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and ascended the throne at the age of 17. Initially, his government was managed by a regency council composed of Bavarian officials. Upon reaching his majority in 1835, Otto dismissed the regents due to their unpopularity and ruled as an absolute monarch. However, increasing demands for a constitution led to a bloodless insurrection in 1843, after which he granted a constitution.Otto aimed to modernize Greece through various reforms, establishing educational institutions and state services. Despite these efforts, he struggled to alleviate poverty and faced economic interference from foreign powers. His reign was marked by the influence of the Great Powers—Britain, France, and Russia—whose support was crucial for his rule. Otto had to navigate the interests of these powers while managing Greek political factions aligned with them. His standing diminished during British blockades in 1850 and 1854, aimed at preventing Greek aggression against the Ottoman Empire, leading to public discontent and an assassination attempt on Queen Amalia.Born in Salzburg, Otto was a descendant of Byzantine imperial dynasties. His education included Classical Greek and Latin, and he was suggested as a candidate for the Greek throne by influential Philhellenes. Following the Greek War of Independence, the Great Powers sought a neutral candidate for the throne, ultimately selecting Otto, who was not connected to any ruling families of the Great Powers. He arrived in Greece with Bavarian troops and advisors, adopting the Greek national costume to endear himself to the populace.Otto's early reign was characterized by the dominance of the Bavarian regency, which imposed heavy taxes and disregarded local customs, leading to resentment among the Greek people. He moved the capital from Nafplio to Athens, initiating significant urban development and establishing key institutions such as the University of Athens and the National Library. His marriage to Duchess Amalia of Oldenburg in 1836 did not produce an heir, and her unpopularity further complicated his reign.Political factions in Greece were heavily influenced by the Great Powers, and Otto's attempts to balance these interests often backfired, strengthening the parties rather than diminishing their power. Ecclesiastical issues also plagued his reign, particularly regarding the Orthodox Church's autonomy and his role as its head. The unilateral declaration of the Church's Autocephaly in 1833 faced criticism, and Otto's Catholicism was a source of contention.By 1843, public dissatisfaction culminated in a demand for a constitution, leading to the 3 September Revolution. Otto conceded to the demands of the military and citizens, marking a shift towards a constitutional monarchy. His reign continued to face challenges, including the Crimean War, where his aspirations to support Russia against the Ottoman Empire resulted in further foreign intervention and blockades.In 1862, while visiting the Peloponnese, Otto was deposed amid a coup that established a Provisional Government. He and Queen Amalia sought refuge on a British warship and returned to Bavaria. Otto's reign ended with the election of Prince William of Denmark as King George I of Greece in 1863. Otto died in exile in Bavaria on 26 July 1867, and his remains were interred in the Theatiner Church in Munich.

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Otto of Greece