The historical incorporation of the Dodecanese into Greece in 1948 was a pivotal moment, not only for the region but also for the entire Greek state. The official incorporation of the islands into the national body of Greece occurred after a long period of foreign domination and turmoil, starting with the Ottoman conquest in 1522 and ending with the Italian occupation, which ended after the defeat of the Axis during World War II.
The Dodecanese include the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Leros, Karpathos, Kalymnos, Astypalaea and others, which were impressive with their cultural and geopolitical importance. Their strategic position in the south-eastern Aegean made them the apple of discord for great powers throughout the ages.
Italian domination and the path to liberation
Italian domination of the Dodecanese began in 1912, during the Italo-Turkish War. Although the Italians had initially pledged to return the islands to the Ottoman Empire, the reality was different. Italy took advantage of the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I and kept the islands under its control, implementing a harsh policy of assimilation and Italianization of the population.
During the Second World War, the Dodecanese were the scene of fierce conflicts between the Allies and the Axis Powers. With the defeat of Italy in 1943, the islands came under German occupation until the end of the war, and after the surrender of Germany in 1945, they were placed under British military administration until their final fate was determined.
The Treaty of Paris and the decision on union
The process of integration began with the Treaty of Paris in 1947, which provided for the abandonment of Italian sovereignty and the handover of the islands to Greece. This development was the result of continuous diplomatic efforts by the Greek government, which had been seeking the national restoration of the Dodecanese since the beginning of the 20th century.
Following the signing of the treaty, a referendum was held in which the inhabitants of the Dodecanese voted unanimously in favour of union with the motherland. This event sealed the will of the islanders, who had been struggling for decades to join Greece.
The historic ceremony of incorporation
The incorporation ceremony took place on 7 March 1948, in Rhodes, with the official hoisting of the Greek flag in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and national pride. Present were the then King Pavlos, the political and military leadership of the country, as well as a large number of people celebrating the end of a long period of foreign domination.
The union of the Dodecanese was a unique event with multiple implications, from geopolitical and strategic to social and cultural. The region began to develop, modernise and integrate into the wider policies of Greece, contributing to national construction and the formation of the modern Greek state.
The importance of integration for modern Greece
The incorporation of the Dodecanese Islands strengthened Greece’s position in the international arena and created new prospects for the development of the Aegean. Tourism, shipping and the strategic importance of the islands were decisive factors in the economic and political development of the country.
Today, the 7th of March is celebrated as a day of remembrance and national pride in the Dodecanese, recalling the sacrifices and struggles of the inhabitants for their integration into Greece. Their history is an integral part of the Greek heritage and a living example of the importance of the struggle for freedom and national integration.
