Page 29 - Key to Social Studies 5

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Greece in the Past versus the Present

Greece in the Past

Evidence of human ancestors’ existence dating back to 270,000 B.C.E. has been discovered in Greece. Also,
evidence of the Stone Age has been found in Greece, showing that it was the start of civilizations that

a ected today’s world.

Greece was the birthplace to many civilizations, which started with the Cycladic civilization and ended

with the Mycenaeans and the Dark Ages. Centuries later, Greece was under the Ottoman rule until
Greece’s modernism.

Modern Greece

In the 18 century, Greece took the turn towards its modernism and independence. This was realized
th
through a lot of movements, intellect, and wars to nally revolt against the Ottomans, and with the help
of allies from Europe, it became the Kingdom of Greece.

King Otto ruled the Kingdom for almost 30 years after which he got deposed. Later, the Kingdom of

Greece fell, and it went through a lot of regimes and wars until it gained its European Union membership
st
in January 1 , 1981.

Lion Gate, the main entrance of the citadel of Mycenae, Greece

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