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Line 129: + + − At independence, Greece had an area of 47,515 square kilometers (18,346 square mi.), and its northern boundary extended from the Gulf of Volos to the Gulf of Arta. Under the influence of the "Megali Idea," the expansion of the Greek state to include all areas of Greek population, Greece acquired the Ionian islands in 1864; Thessaly and part of Epirus in 1881; Macedonia, Crete, Epirus, and the Aegean islands in 1913; Western Thrace in 1918; and the Dodecanese islands in 1947. − [[Image:Gyzis After the Destruction of Psara.jpg|thumb|330px|''After the Destruction of Psara'' by Nikolaos Gyzis (1842 - 1901)]] +
→Modern History
====Modern History====
====Modern History====
The Greek War of Independence began in 1821 and concluded in 1830 when England, France, and Russia forced the Ottoman Empire to grant Greece its independence under a European monarch, Prince Otto of Bavaria.
The Greek War of Independence began in 1821 and concluded in 1830 when England, France, and Russia forced the Ottoman Empire to grant Greece its independence under a European monarch, Prince Otto of Bavaria.
[[Image:Gyzis After the Destruction of Psara.jpg|thumb|300px|''After the Destruction of Psara'' by [[Nikolaos Gyzis]] (1842 - 1901)]]
At independence, Greece had an area of 47,515 square kilometers (18,346 square mi.), and its northern boundary extended from the Gulf of Volos to the Gulf of Arta. Under the influence of the "Megali Idea," the expansion of the Greek state to include all areas of Greek population, Greece acquired the Ionian islands in 1864; Thessaly and part of Epirus in 1881; Macedonia, Crete, Epirus, and the Aegean islands in 1913; Western Thrace in 1918; and the Dodecanese islands in 1947.
Greece entered World War I in 1917 on the side of the Allies. After the war, Greece took part in the Allied occupation of Turkey, where many Greeks still lived. In 1921, the Greek army marched toward Ankara, but was defeated by Turkish forces led by Ataturk and forced to withdraw. In a forced exchange of populations, more than 1.3 million refugees from Turkey poured into Greece, creating enormous challenges for the Greek economy and society. <ref> The unification of Greece, 1770-1923, by Douglas Dakin.</ref>
Greece entered World War I in 1917 on the side of the Allies. After the war, Greece took part in the Allied occupation of Turkey, where many Greeks still lived. In 1921, the Greek army marched toward Ankara, but was defeated by Turkish forces led by Ataturk and forced to withdraw. In a forced exchange of populations, more than 1.3 million refugees from Turkey poured into Greece, creating enormous challenges for the Greek economy and society. <ref> The unification of Greece, 1770-1923, by Douglas Dakin.</ref>
Greek politics, particularly between the two world wars, involved a struggle for power between monarchists and republicans. Greece was proclaimed a republic in 1924, but George II returned to the throne in 1935 and shortly afterwards cooperated with General Metaxas in a coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and introduced a right wing dictatorship. A plebiscite in 1946 upheld the monarchy, which was finally abolished by referendum on December 8, 1974.
Greek politics, particularly between the two world wars, involved a struggle for power between monarchists and republicans. Greece was proclaimed a republic in 1924, but George II returned to the throne in 1935 and shortly afterwards cooperated with General Metaxas in a coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and introduced a right wing dictatorship. A plebiscite in 1946 upheld the monarchy, which was finally abolished by referendum on December 8, 1974.
=====World War II=====
=====World War II=====
Greece sided with the Allies in World War II after [[Mussolini]]'s demands for surrender were met with the famous "Okhi" (''NO!'') statement of Greek Prime Minister [[Ioannis Metaxas]]. Italy invaded in October of 1940, and were repulsed by Greek troops. When German troops moved in the Greek cause was hopeless, despite British military help. The Nazi timetable was slowed down during the Battle of Crete by fierce resistance, delaying the German invasion of the [[Soviet Union]] for over a month. Despite their efforts, the Nazi war machine was able to annex Greece. Following a brutal German occupation in which many Greeks died (including about 80% of Greece's Jewish community) German forces withdrew in October 1944, and the government-in-exile returned to Athens.
Greece sided with the Allies in World War II after [[Mussolini]]'s demands for surrender were met with the famous "Okhi" (''NO!'') statement of Greek Prime Minister [[Ioannis Metaxas]]. Italy invaded in October of 1940, and were repulsed by Greek troops. When German troops moved in the Greek cause was hopeless, despite British military help. The Nazi timetable was slowed down during the Battle of Crete by fierce resistance, delaying the German invasion of the [[Soviet Union]] for over a month. Despite their efforts, the Nazi war machine was able to annex Greece. Following a brutal German occupation in which many Greeks died (including about 80% of Greece's Jewish community) German forces withdrew in October 1944, and the government-in-exile returned to Athens.