protectorate · Greece and the Aegean
Cretan State
Origins
Crete rose repeatedly against Ottoman rule in the 19th century. After the revolt of 1897 and the Greco-Turkish War, Britain, France, Russia and Italy occupied the island and forced the Ottomans to accept its autonomy under nominal suzerainty. Prince George of Greece became High Commissioner in December 1898, with Chania as capital.
Rule and society
The Cretan State had its own constitution, assembly, gendarmerie, currency and stamps, though foreign troops remained. Prince George's autocratic style clashed with Eleftherios Venizelos, who led the Therisos revolt in 1905. Alexandros Zaimis replaced the prince in 1906. Most of the population was Greek Orthodox, with a significant Muslim minority.
Decline and legacy
In 1908 the Cretan assembly declared union with Greece. After the Balkan Wars, the Ottomans renounced Crete, and it was formally united with the Kingdom of Greece in December 1913. Venizelos had by then become prime minister of Greece.
Lineage
On the connections map
Open the full map →Connections (3)
- Cretan State was a vassal of Ottoman Empire1898 CE – 1913 CE
- Cretan State was a protectorate of British Empire1898 CE – 1909 CE
- Cretan State was a protectorate of Russian Empire1898 CE – 1909 CE
More states of Greece and the Aegean →
Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Cretan State. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/cretan-state
- MLA
- “Cretan State.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/cretan-state. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Cretan State.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/cretan-state.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Cretan State’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/cretan-state (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻