Eleftherios Venizelos becomes Prime Minister of Greece for the fourth time.

Eleftherios Venizelos: The Architect of Modern Greece and National Visionary

Eleftherios Kyriakou Venizelos (Greek: Ελευθέριος Κυριάκου Βενιζέλος, romanized: Elefthérios Kyriákou Venizélos, pronounced [elefˈθeri.os cirˈʝaku veniˈzelos]; 23 August [O.S. 11 August] 1864 – 18 March 1936) was a towering figure in Greek history, widely recognized as a pivotal statesman and a preeminent leader of the Greek national liberation movement, which aimed to consolidate Greek territories and expand the modern state. His profound impact on both the internal and external affairs of Greece earned him the indelible title of "The Maker of Modern Greece" and the enduring honorific "Ethnarch" (Leader of the Nation), signifying his role as a foundational figure.

Venizelos's political career was distinguished by his unwavering commitment to the expansion of Greece's borders and the vigorous promotion of liberal-democratic policies, which included constitutional reforms, social justice, and economic modernization. As the charismatic leader of the Liberal Party, he served an impressive eight terms as Prime Minister of Greece, notably from 1910 to 1920 and again from 1928 to 1933, periods during which he fundamentally reshaped the nation's trajectory and consolidated its parliamentary system.

Early Political Career and the Balkan Wars

Venizelos first emerged on the international stage through his instrumental involvement in the establishment of autonomy for the Cretan State in 1898, a crucial step towards its eventual *enosis* (union) with Greece in 1913, fulfilling a long-standing national aspiration. His growing reputation as a reformer and political pragmatist led to his invitation to Athens in 1909 to address a significant political deadlock, which had been exacerbated by the Goudi military coup aiming for national regeneration and an end to corruption. Upon assuming the premiership, Venizelos immediately embarked on a comprehensive program of constitutional and economic reforms, laying the essential groundwork for the modernization of Greek society. These reforms touched upon various sectors, including the judiciary, civil service, education, and public administration, designed to strengthen democratic institutions, improve state efficiency, and foster economic development through measures like agricultural and banking reforms.

Crucially, he also undertook a thorough reorganization and professionalization of both the Greek army and navy, strategically preparing the nation for impending conflicts. This foresight proved vital before the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, where Venizelos played a catalytic role in securing Greece's entry into the Balkan League – a strategic alliance of Balkan states, including Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro, formed against the declining Ottoman Empire. Through his unparalleled diplomatic acumen and astute negotiation skills, Greece achieved remarkable territorial gains, effectively doubling its geographical area and population. This liberation encompassed significant regions such as:

World War I and the National Schism

During the tumultuous period of World War I (1914–1918), Venizelos decisively steered Greece towards the Allied Powers (Britain, France, Russia). His pro-Allied foreign policy was driven by the vision of further expanding Greek borders and realizing the "Megali Idea" (Great Idea) – the irredentist concept of uniting all historically Greek-populated territories, including parts of Anatolia and Constantinople, under a single Greek state. However, this bold stance directly conflicted with King Constantine I of Greece, who favored neutrality or alignment with the Central Powers due to family ties with the German royal house (he was Kaiser Wilhelm II's brother-in-law) and a different strategic outlook. This profound disagreement ignited the "National Schism" (Ethnikos Dichasmos), a deep political and social polarization that divided the Greek population into fervent royalists (supporters of the King) and Venizelists (supporters of Venizelos). This bitter struggle for power profoundly destabilized Greece, leading to dual governments and Allied intervention, and affecting its political and social fabric for several decades.

Following the Allied victory in World War I, Venizelos's diplomatic prowess again shone as he secured significant new territorial gains for Greece through the Treaty of Sèvres (1920), particularly in Anatolia, notably the Smyrna (Izmir) zone, which came under Greek administration. This brought Greece tantalizingly close to the full realization of the Megali Idea. Despite these monumental achievements, a shocking defeat in the 1920 General Election led to his temporary removal from power. This unexpected shift in leadership is widely considered a major factor that contributed to the eventual Greek defeat in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–22) and the subsequent Asia Minor Catastrophe, which resulted in the forcible displacement of hundreds of thousands of Greeks. Following this national tragedy, Venizelos, in self-imposed exile, once more served his nation by representing Greece in the crucial negotiations that culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. This treaty formally ended the war, defined modern Turkish borders, and, controversially but practically, formalized a mandatory mutual population exchange between Greece and Turkey, involving approximately 1.5 million Orthodox Christians from Turkey and 500,000 Muslims from Greece, an event with immense demographic and humanitarian consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions about Venizelos and World War I

What was the "National Schism" in Greece?
The National Schism was a major political and social division in Greece during World War I, primarily caused by the fundamental disagreement between Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos (who advocated for Greece joining the Allies) and King Constantine I (who favored neutrality or the Central Powers). This conflict led to two parallel governments and deeply polarized Greek society for decades, impacting subsequent political developments.
What was the "Megali Idea" that Venizelos pursued?
The "Megali Idea" (Great Idea) was an irredentist concept central to Greek foreign policy after independence from the Ottoman Empire. It envisioned the liberation of all historically Greek-populated territories, especially those in the Ottoman Empire, and their integration into an expanded Greek state, with Constantinople (Istanbul) as its potential capital. Venizelos pursued this vision throughout his career, achieving significant but ultimately impermanent territorial gains.
How did the 1920 election defeat affect the Greco-Turkish War?
Venizelos's unexpected defeat in the 1920 general election led to a change in government and a significant shift in military and political strategy regarding the ongoing Greco-Turkish War. The new royalist government's policies, coupled with a decline in military morale and a loss of crucial Allied support, are widely believed to have critically undermined the Greek war effort, leading to the eventual defeat and the catastrophic events of the Asia Minor Catastrophe.

Later Years and Enduring Legacy

In his subsequent terms as Prime Minister during the late 1920s and early 1930s, Eleftherios Venizelos focused on re-establishing normal and constructive relations with Greece's neighbors, most notably with Turkey, through treaties and diplomatic initiatives like the Greco-Turkish Friendship Treaty of 1930. He further expanded his constitutional and economic reforms, aiming to stabilize the Greek economy and improve social welfare. This period saw advancements in public works, banking, and social legislation, demonstrating his continued commitment to the nation's progress and stability after a turbulent decade.

However, his final significant political act in 1935 involved surfacing from retirement to lend his support to a military coup, an attempt to prevent the restoration of the monarchy and preserve the Second Hellenic Republic. The failure of this coup severely weakened the nascent Second Hellenic Republic (1924-1935), contributing to its collapse and paving the way for the restoration of the monarchy later that same year, followed by a period of authoritarian rule. Despite this final setback, Eleftherios Venizelos remains an unrivaled figure in modern Greek history, celebrated for his transformative leadership, his relentless pursuit of national expansion and modernization, and his lasting imprint on Greece's political, social, and geographical landscape. He is widely regarded as the most influential Greek politician of the 20th century, whose legacy continues to be debated and revered.