Greek nationalism (or
Hellenic nationalism) refers to the
nationalism of
Greeks and
Greek culture. Greek nationalism, as an ideology, originated and evolved in pre-modern times. It became a major political movement beginning in the 18th century, which culminated in the
Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the
Ottoman Empire. It became a potent movement in Greece shortly prior to, and during
World War I under the leadership of nationalist figure
Eleutherios Venizelos who pursued the
Megali Idea and managed to liberate Greece in the Balkan Wars and after World War I, briefly annexed the region of
Izmir before it was retaken by
Turkey. Today Greek nationalism remains important on the Greco-Turkish dispute over
Cyprus.