Eleftherios Venizelos (August 23, 1864 - March 18, 1936)

 Eleftherios Venizelos (August 23, 1864 - March 18, 1936)

Born in Chania, Crete, he was one of the most prominent & influential leaders of Modern Greece. He was a leader of the movement for Cretan independence from Turkish rule & Union with Greece, a firm believer in the concept of the Megali Idea & several times Prime minister of Greece.

He was Prime Minister at the outbreak of the Balkan Wars (1912-13), which saw a decisive Greek victory, the liberation of Epirus, Macedonia, the Islands of the North Aegean, as well as the official Union of Crete with Greece.

At the outbreak of WW1, promises were made to Venizelos by the Allied Powers, the British & the French, if Greece joined their side in the conflict. Disagreement between Venizelos and King Constantine who had German sympathies followed, leading to the National Schism in Greece and a series of crises. Forcing Venizelos to resign as Prime Minister in 1915.

This led to 2 Greek Governments by 1916, 1 centred in Athens led by the King and the other in Thessaloniki, headed by Venizelos. Clashes soon broke out in Athens between supporters of both groups, known as the Noemvriana.

Venizelos’ return as the legitimate Prime Minister of Greece in 1917, ensured Greece entered WW1 on the side of the allies, promises of the Union of Cyprus with Greece a major incentive.

Despite everything, Greece under Venizelos emerged victorious following WW1 & after the signing of the Treaty of Sevres (1920), it appeared Venizelos had achieved the Greek dream of the Megali Idea, Eastern Thrace, Ionia, as well as the islands of Imbros and Tenedos were back in Greek hands. Cyprus, The Dardanelles and Constantinople all appeared to be in sight.

But things were not all well. While in Paris, Venizelos survived an assassination attempt by royalists and on his return to Greece, Venizelos lost the elections of November 1920, kick-starting a series events which saw the loss of the gains at the Treaty of Sevres and the Asia Minor catastrophe (1922).

Following this debacle and tragedy for Greece, Venizelos was once again called on to represent Greece at the Treaty of Lausanne (1923). Venizelos became Prime Minister again in 1924, but disagreements and health issues saw him leave for Paris soon after.

In the elections of 1928, Venizelos was returned to power in Greece in a landslide, his 4-year term was characterised with the rapprochement towards neighbours Italy, Yugoslavia and disappointingly for a lot of his own supporters, Turkey, which was seen as a major reason for his defeat in the 1932 elections.

Following his election loss, there was a 2nd assassination attempt on Venizelos in 1933 which he survived.

Venizelos left Greece for the last time in 1935, heading to Paris again. In March of 1936 he suffered a stroke, dying on March 18th, with his body then transported to Chania, where he is buried. 

Hellenic Patriotism