Greek History · Chronicle VIII of IX

The Modern Greek State

Hellenic Republic

Independence, monarchy, dictatorship and democracy: Greece since 1832.

Span: 1832 – Present
Entries: 34
Next: Pontus & Asia Minor

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Entry 1 of 34

1832
Kingdom of GreecePolitical
Treaty of Constantinople & Arrival of King Otto
The Great Powers and the Ottoman Empire formalize Greek independence. Bavarian Prince Otto is proclaimed the first King of Greece.
Meanwhile, elsewhere
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1834
Kingdom of GreecePolitical
Athens becomes the capital
The seat of government moves from Nafplio to Athens, beginning the city's transformation into a modern European capital.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1843
Constitutional MonarchyPolitical
3 September Revolution
A bloodless military uprising in Athens forces King Otto to grant a constitution, ending Bavarian absolutism.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1862
Constitutional MonarchyPolitical
Deposition of King Otto
A popular uprising overthrows King Otto, who departs Greece without a successor.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1864
Constitutional MonarchyPolitical
King George I and the Ionian Islands
Danish prince George I ascends the Greek throne and Britain cedes the Ionian Islands to Greece. A new democratic constitution is adopted.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1881
Territorial ExpansionPolitical
Annexation of Thessaly and Arta
Following the Congress of Berlin, Greece peacefully acquires Thessaly and the region of Arta from the Ottoman Empire.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1896
Belle ÉpoqueCultural
First Modern Olympic Games
Athens hosts the first modern Olympic Games, marking Greece's return to the international cultural stage.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1897
Belle ÉpoqueMilitary
Greco-Turkish War
A short, disastrous war over Crete ends in Greek defeat and international financial control over Greece.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1909
Venizelist EraPolitical
Goudi Coup
A military uprising at Goudi forces sweeping reforms, paving the way for Eleftherios Venizelos to enter national politics.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1912
Balkan WarsMilitary
First Balkan War
Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro defeat the Ottomans. Greek forces liberate Thessaloniki on 26 October.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1913
Balkan WarsPolitical
Second Balkan War & Treaty of Bucharest
Greece nearly doubles in size, gaining Macedonia, Epirus, and Crete. King George I is assassinated in Thessaloniki.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1916
National SchismPolitical
National Schism
Greece is split between royalist King Constantine I, who favors neutrality, and Venizelos, who establishes a rival pro-Entente government in Thessaloniki.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1919
Asia Minor CampaignMilitary
Greek landing at Smyrna
With Allied approval, Greek forces land at Smyrna, beginning the campaign to realize the 'Megali Idea' in Asia Minor.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1922
Asia Minor CatastropheMilitary
Asia Minor Catastrophe
The Greek army collapses in Anatolia. Smyrna is destroyed by fire and the Greek population of Asia Minor is annihilated or expelled.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1923
Interwar PeriodPolitical
Treaty of Lausanne & Population Exchange
The treaty fixes the modern Greek-Turkish border and authorizes a compulsory exchange of populations between the two states.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1924
Second Hellenic RepublicPolitical
Proclamation of the Second Hellenic Republic
A referendum abolishes the monarchy and establishes the Second Hellenic Republic.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1936
Metaxas RegimePolitical
4th of August Regime
Ioannis Metaxas establishes an authoritarian regime under the restored monarchy of King George II.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1940
World War IIMilitary
Ohi Day & Greco-Italian War
On 28 October, Greece refuses Mussolini's ultimatum. Greek forces repel the Italian invasion and push deep into Albania, scoring the first Allied land victory of WWII.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1941
World War IIMilitary
Axis Occupation of Greece
Germany invades to rescue Italian forces. Greece falls under a brutal triple occupation by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1944
LiberationMilitary
Liberation of Greece
Axis forces withdraw and Athens is liberated on 12 October. Tensions between resistance factions and the returning government quickly escalate.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1946
Greek Civil WarMilitary
Outbreak of the Civil War
Open conflict erupts between the government's National Army and the Communist-led Democratic Army of Greece.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1947
Greek Civil WarPolitical
Truman Doctrine & Union of the Dodecanese
The United States assumes Britain's role in supporting Greece against communism. Italy cedes the Dodecanese, completing the modern map of Greece.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1949
Greek Civil WarMilitary
End of the Civil War
Government forces win the Battle of Grammos-Vitsi, ending the civil war and aligning Greece firmly with the West.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1952
Post-War RecoveryPolitical
Greece joins NATO
Greece is admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, anchoring its post-war geopolitical orientation.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1967
Military JuntaPolitical
Coup of the Colonels
On 21 April, a group of right-wing officers seizes power, suspending democratic institutions and installing a military dictatorship.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1973
Military JuntaPolitical
Athens Polytechnic uprising
Students occupy the National Technical University in Athens. The junta crushes the uprising on 17 November but the regime's legitimacy is fatally undermined.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1974
MetapolitefsiPolitical
Fall of the Junta & Restoration of Democracy
After the Cyprus crisis, the junta collapses. Konstantinos Karamanlis returns from exile and a referendum abolishes the monarchy, establishing the Third Hellenic Republic.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
1981
European IntegrationPolitical
Greece joins the European Communities
Greece becomes the 10th member of the European Communities (later European Union). PASOK under Andreas Papandreou wins the first leftist majority in Greek history.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2001
Eurozone EraPolitical
Greece adopts the Euro
Greece becomes the 12th member of the Eurozone, replacing the drachma with the euro.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2004
Eurozone EraCultural
Athens Olympic Games
Athens successfully hosts the Summer Olympics, returning the Games to their birthplace and showcasing modern Greece on the world stage.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2010
Debt CrisisPolitical
First Bailout & Memorandum
Faced with a sovereign debt crisis, Greece signs the first bailout agreement with the IMF, ECB, and EU, beginning a decade of austerity.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2015
Debt CrisisPolitical
Bailout Referendum
Greeks vote 'No' on the creditors' terms in a dramatic referendum, but the SYRIZA government ultimately signs a third bailout to remain in the Eurozone.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2018
Post-CrisisPolitical
Prespa Agreement
Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia resolve their long-running name dispute, opening the way for North Macedonia's NATO accession.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
2022
Bicentennial EraCultural
Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution
Greece marks 200 years since the 1821 Revolution with national celebrations and international commemorations of the founding of the modern Greek state.
Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
26 more entries, to 2022

The Modern Greek State

Treaty of Constantinople & Arrival of King Otto

Athens becomes the capital

3 September Revolution

Deposition of King Otto

King George I and the Ionian Islands

Annexation of Thessaly and Arta

First Modern Olympic Games

Greco-Turkish War

Goudi Coup

First Balkan War

Second Balkan War & Treaty of Bucharest

National Schism

Greek landing at Smyrna

Asia Minor Catastrophe

Treaty of Lausanne & Population Exchange

Proclamation of the Second Hellenic Republic

4th of August Regime

Ohi Day & Greco-Italian War

Axis Occupation of Greece

Liberation of Greece

Outbreak of the Civil War

Truman Doctrine & Union of the Dodecanese

End of the Civil War

Greece joins NATO

Coup of the Colonels

Athens Polytechnic uprising

Fall of the Junta & Restoration of Democracy

Greece joins the European Communities

Greece adopts the Euro

Athens Olympic Games

First Bailout & Memorandum

Bailout Referendum

Prespa Agreement

Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution