Omission of the strategically crucial island of…

Omission of the strategically crucial island of Crete in the formation of the Kingdom of Greece remains a sore point, and the island's status has become more problematic as the fate of the Ottoman Empire assumes a greater role in Great Power relations.

In the early 1860s, the Great Powers had agree to the unification of Italy and the transfer by Britain of the Ionian Islands to Greece.

As the Orthodox population and nationalist sentiments grows on Crete and King George openly supports the Cretan reunification factions, these changes also reinforce Greek advocacy of claims to Crete.

The result is a guerrilla rebellion on Crete that receives wide support from the Greek government and people.