The
Turks -1669 to 1898:
Now began a period of
cultural stagnation and repression argely induced by heavy taxation and
the persecution of Christians. While governed by Islamic rulers, the Greek
faith, language and cultural traditions were fiercely guarded and
maintained. Eventually, after many heroic attempts to gain their freedom
and independence –which was denied the Cretans even after the new Greek
State was proclaimed in 1832 -Crete was taken out. of the hands of the
Turks in 1898 by the Great Powers (Britain, France and Russia). It was
handed over to the administration of Prince George, son of the king of
Greece, appointed as High Commissioner of a semiautonomous Crete. The
island eventually achieved full union with Greece in 1913 through the
efforts of Eleftherios Venizelos. A Cretan born near Chania