• 1878
    • The Russo-Turkish War which broke out a year earlier ends in the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. The intense conflict regarding the settlement of European affairs eventually results in the Berlin Congress. The Ottomans cede Cyprus to Britain.
    • In Crete, the Pact of Chalepa is signed following yet another rising by the Christian inhabitants.
    • 1881
    • Thessaly is ceded to Greece.
    • Census of the Cretan population.
    • 1885
    • Ioannis Savvas Pasha succeeds Ioannis Fotiadis as Governor General of Crete.
    • 1889
    • The heightening of political tensions on the island leads to a new rising. The Ottoman authority rescinds the Pact of Chalepa.
    • 1895
    • Manoussos Koundouros founds the Polity Change Commission, with the aim of achieving Cretan autonomy as the first step towards Union with Greece.
    • 1896
    • Under pressure from the European Powers and the Cretan rebels, the Ottoman authority accords the island a new Administrative Organisation.
    • 1897
    • Greek military forces land on the island in early February. In April a Greco-Turkish war breaks out. The European powers intervene, sending a military mission to the island.
    • 1898
    • Crete is declared an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, ruled by High Commissioner Prince George of Greece.
    • 1899
    • The Constitution of the Cretan State comes into effect. Foundation of the Bank of Crete.
    • 1901
    • Eleftherios Venizelos is removed from his post as government minister and adviser, while many Cretans are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Prince George.
    • 1905
    • Outbreak of the Therisso Rising, led by Eleftherios Venizelos, Konstantinos Foumis and Konstantinos Manos. Negotiations between the revolutionaries and the representatives of the Great Powers will lead to extensive reforms, including a new Constitution, the following year.
    • 1906
    • Prince George resigns as High Commissioner and is replaced by Alexandros Zaimis.
    • 1908
    • The Young Turk movement seizes power in the Ottoman Empire.
    • In Crete, the General Assembly decides to abolish the High Commission, forms a Provisional Government and declares Union with Greece. The reaction of the Great Powers, however, prevents the actual implementation of this decision.
    • 1909
    • In Greece, the Goudi Coup is carried out by the Military League, a group of officers seeking extensive political and administrative reforms.
    • 1910
    • Eleftherios Venizelos’s party wins the Cretan elections. A few months later, however, Venizelos departs for Athens, where he is elected a member of the Greek Parliament.
    • 1911
    • Declaration of the Italo-Turkish War, leading to the Italian conquest of Libya and the Dodecanese.
    • In Crete, gatherings and rallies are organised calling for Union with Greece.
    • 1912
    • Declaration of the First Balkan War between the Balkan states on the one hand and the Ottoman Empire on the other. Cretan Members of Parliament are accepted into the Greek Parliament, while Stefanos Dragoumis is appointed Governor General of the island.
    • 1913
    • Signing of the Treaty of London, under which the Sultan resigns his suzerain rights over Crete. Shortly afterwards the Second Balkan War breaks out, this time between Bulgaria on the one hand and Serbia and Greece on the other. The Treaty of Bucharest is signed in August, while in December the official ceremony of the Union of Crete with Greece takes place in Chania.
    • 1914
    • Outbreak of the First World War, in which Greece at first remains neutral.
    • 1915
    • The dispute between King Constantine I of Greek and Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, regarding the country’s position in the War, leads to inflamed political passions. This is the beginning of the “National Rift”, which is to peak over the next two years.
    • 1917
    • Constantine I is forced to abdicate, and Greece under Venizelos enters the First World War on the Allied side.
    • 1918
    • The First World War ends with Greece on the winning side.
    • 1919
    • Establishment of the League of Nations.
    • The Greek army lands at Smyrna, opening the Asia Minor War.
    • 1922
    • The defeat of the Greek army in Asia Minor is accompanied by waves of refugees arriving in Greece under difficult conditions.
    • 1923
    • Greece and Turkey sign the Lausanne Convention Concerning the Exchange of Populations, providing for the compulsory removal of Greeks living on Turkish territory to Greece and the corresponding expulsion of Muslims living within the borders of Greece to Turkey. The Treaty of Lausanne, a peace treaty between the two nations, is signed shortly afterwards.
    • 1924
    • The last Muslims leave Crete. Their place is gradually taken by Greek refugees from various parts of Turkey.