The Defense Policy of Eleftherios Venizelos and the Greek Military Doctrine (1928-1932)

_{The Defense Policy of Eleftherios Venizelos and the Greek Military Doctrine (1928-1932)}

_{Miltiadis V. Parlantzas}

^{Historian - PhD Candidate, Department of History and Archaeology, National and Capodistrian University of Athens}

Τhis article refers to the defense policy of Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the most important prime ministers of Greece, during the period 1928-1932. Τhis particular period is known in Greek historiography as the “Great Quadrennium” and is a period of relative political calm, free from military interventions and external complications. First, a brief historical review of the situation in which the Greek army found itself after the Asia Minor campaign and destruction is given, as well as the way in which it was reorganized in a short period of time. The main part analyzes the government initiative in the field of defense policy, military doctrine and the reorganization of the Armed Forces. Τhe article reaches conclusions related to the reasons that led to the establishment of the specific policy as well as its results in the critical area of national defense.

Keywords: Eleftherios Venizelos; Interwar Period; Defense Policy; Military Doctrine; Greek Armed Forces