Greece peacefully annexed the Ionian Islands (1864) and gained Thessaly (1881) through diplomacy. 3. The Venizelos Era and the Balkan Wars (1910–1920)
Military officers demanded reforms, leading to the rise of Eleftherios Venizelos , arguably the most significant statesman in modern Greek history.
This era saw the birth of the national ideology aiming to unite all Greeks living under Ottoman rule within a single state. It dominated foreign policy for the next 80 years. Greece peacefully annexed the Ionian Islands (1864) and
The dominant political figure of the late 19th century, Trikoupis introduced the principle of Dedilomeni (the requirement that the Prime Minister must have the confidence of Parliament). He focused on infrastructure (railroads, the Corinth Canal) but his heavy spending led to national bankruptcy in 1893.
This "deep review" explores the key themes, political shifts, and territorial expansions that shaped Greece during these nine decades. 1. The Foundation and the Othonian Period (1830–1862) This era saw the birth of the national
Following the London Protocol of 1830 , Greece was recognized as a fully independent monarchical state.
World War I created a deep divide between King Constantine I (who favored neutrality) and Venizelos (who favored the Triple Entente). This "Schism" paralyzed the country and led to two separate governments for a period. He focused on infrastructure (railroads, the Corinth Canal)
Following WWI, Venizelos achieved the "Greece of the two continents and five seas," gaining Eastern Thrace and the administration of the Smyrna zone in Asia Minor. Summary of Key Developments State Building