Greek nationalism

Greek nationalism, otherwise referred to as Hellenic nationalism, refers to the nationalism of Greeks and Greek culture. As an ideology, Greek nationalism originated and evolved in classical Greece. In modern times, Greek nationalism became a major political movement beginning in the early 19th century, which culminated in the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the first independent Greek state, the First Hellenic Republic (1822–1832).

Greek nationalism became also a potent movement in the Kingdom of Greece shortly prior to and during World War I, when the Greeks, inspired by the Megali Idea, managed to liberate parts of Greece during the Balkan Wars, and briefly occupied the region of Smyrna after World War I, before it was retaken by the Turks.

Greek nationalism was also the main ideology of two dictatorial regimes in Greece during the 20th century: the 4th of August Regime (1936–1941) and the Greek military junta (1967–1974). Today, Greek Cypriot nationalism remains important in the Greco-Turkish dispute over Cyprus, among other territorial disputes.