The 1878 Revolution

In the spring of 1877 yet another Russo-Turkish war broke out such an opportunity was not to be missed by the Cretans, who lost no time in starting a new revolt. January 1878 saw the formation of the "Pancretan Revolutionary Assembly" at Fre in the district of Apokoronas, accompanied by armed insurrection the length and breadth of the island. Over the ensuing months, the Turks were forced to seek refuge in the fortified towns, leaving rural areas in the rebels' hands. Turkish defeat in the Russo-Turkish war obliged the Ottoman authorities to grant concessions and implement measures in favour of the Christians. The sum total of these reforms is known as the "Haleppa Pact".