1928-1936: The four-year period of stability and development. The last years

1928-1936: The four-year period of stability and development. The last years

1928-1932: Venizelos returned to active politics, obtaining a resounding victory in the elections of August 19, 1928. Greek-Italian Treaty of Friendship (September 23, 1928). Venizelos’s government remained in power for four years. The Bank of Greece, the Agricultural Bank of Greece, the Council of State and the National Theatre of Greece, the construction of 3.000 schools and important infrastructure projects were among his major achievements. Economic progress and pro­gressive legislation despite the 1929 international crisis. The Greek-Yugoslav friendship, reconciliation and judicial settle­ment treaty was signed on March 27, 1929, resolving the problem of the free zone of Thessaloniki. Greek-Turkish Treaty of Friendship, Neutrality, Conciliation and Arbitration signed on October 30 1930 at Ankara.


1932: Resignation of Venizelos (May 21). Elections and defeat of the Liberal Party (September 25). A Popular Party govern­ment formed under P. Tsaldaris (November 4).


1933: Last Venizelos government (January 16). Elections and new defeat of the Liberals. Coup by Plastiras; appointment of a government under General Othoneos who handed over the government to P.Tsaldaris. Assassination attempt against Eleftherios Venizelos in Kifisias Avenue, Athens (June 6).


1935: Military coup organised by Venizelist officers to avert the restoration of the monarchy (March 1); failure of the coup and departure of Venizelos from Greece (March 12). George Kondylis appointed Regent. Trials and executions of prominent Venizelists; abolishment of the Greek Republic and return of King George II to the throne, as a result of a rigged referendum.


1936: Venizelos lived in exile in Paris in bad health, continu­ously occupying himself with the political situation in Greece. He died on March 18. Funeral not held in Athens for the avoidance of riots. Body carried to Hania in the destroyer “Paul Koundouriotis”. Unprecedented demonstrations of deep mourning throughout Greece. Burial at Akrotiri in an at­mosphere of a nation-wide mourning.


 

1921-1927: Away from Greece


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