- Ethniki Etairia
The "Ethniki Etairia" ( _el. Εθνική Εταιρία, "National Society") was a secret Greek nationalistic organization created in November 1894, by a number of young nationalist officers, advocates of the "
Megali Idea ". Its aim was to revive the morale of the country and prepare the liberation of Greek people still under theOttoman Empire .In September 1895 they recruited civilians, all linked to the organization of the
Olympic Games , includingDemetrius Vikelas , [Llewellyn Smith, Olympics in Athens, 49-50] although he claimed only to have given in to friendly pressure, playing a solely financial role and then quickly resigning from it. [Llewellyn Smith, Olympics in Athens, 149-150]The populism of the "Ethniki Etairia" is considered to be responsible for the outbreak of the
Greco-Turkish War of 1897 . Following Greece's humiliating defeat, it was dissolved under the pressure ofPrime Minister Georgios Theotokis .Notes
References
Llewellyn Smith, Michael (2004). Olympics in Athens 1896: The Invention of the Modern Olympic Games. Profile Books Limited. ISBN 186197342X
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