Η Καβάλα στα κρίσιμα χρόνια του Α' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου (1916-1918)

Abstract

During the First World War, Macedonia became a bone of contention between
the two warring sides, the Entente and the Central Powers. When Bulgaria joined forces
with Germany in the summer of 1915, certain diplomatic démarches led to the
occupation of the city and district of Kavala by Bulgarian troops from 1916 to 1918.
The events which took place in Kavala in 1916 marked one of the most tragic
periods in the history of the National Rift. The Bulgarian occupation of Macedonia had
repercussions on Greek domestic and foreign policy. It impelled Venizelos to form his
National Defence Government in Thessaloniki in October 1916. The inhabitants of the
surrounding area suffered terribly at the hands of the Bulgarians. Greek interests in the
region were seriously threatened. The Bulgarian nationalists' aims included autonomy
for Macedonia and an outlet into the Aegean for Bulgaria.
But Bulgaria was defeated on the Macedonian front by the Greek, Serbian,
British and French forces and obliged to conclude a truce at the end of October 1916. It
thus had no cards left to play when diplomatic negotiations began in Paris. Western
Thrace was given to Greece and Macedonia remained Greek.