The Union of Crete with Greece

December 1st, 1913 – The Union of Crete with Greece

Like many Greek regions, which revolted during the Greek War of Independence of 1821, Crete would remain under Ottoman Control. Several major rebellions followed on Crete: 1841, 1858, 1866-69, 1878, 1895-98, all were brutally put down.

The continual fight for freedom by the Cretans, maintained the pressure on the Ottomans. In 1878, the Cretans secured some concessions. Crete was granted a form of autonomy, but remained under Ottoman suzerainty, but by 1889, the Ottomans had reneged on all concessions in the agreement.

The Cretans continued to fight for and work for the freedom of Crete, its people and – Enosis – its Union with Greece.

In 1898, Turkish mobs went on a rampage, massacring hundreds of Cretans. This would be the beginning of the end for the Turk occupation of the island, international condemnation of the atrocities resulted in the ousting of all Ottoman occupation forces.

A High Commissioner arrived from Greece and a Cretan Gendarmerie force was established, at this time the island of Crete was effectively under International administration.

Very quickly though, Greeks started to assume control of various aspects of the island and by 1906, Greece de-facto controlled Crete.

It wasn’t until the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, when Crete officially was incorporated into the Modern Greek State. On December 1 in 1913.