After 1913, Greek-Macedonia -- which, together with the greatest part of Epirus and the Eastern Aegean islands, became part of the Greek state at that time -- was affected by its new political, economic and social environment and in turn contributed to the country's social and economic revitalization.
The capture of Thessaloniki by the Greek army
G. Megas archive, 1912
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During the First World War, Greek-Macedonia was turned into a battlefield, while its eastern part came again under Bulgarian occupation.
After the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, Greece aimed at economic development as well as the consolidation of regional stability. Greek-Macedonia's great economic potential was one of the factors shaping Greece's new policy.
Still, up to 1939 the realization of the ambitious -- by Balkan standards -- Greek aims proved impossible, because of the uncertain political climate prevailing in Europe.
In the 1940s, the Second World War, the Occupation, the Greek Civil War and the beginning of the Cold War brought new sufferings to Greek-Macedonia.
It was only after 1950 that Greece was able to embark on an effort to achieve economic, political and social development -- more so since, up to the Yugoslav crisis of 1991-95, international conditions led to a period of continued stability in the Balkans.
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