Complex sentence: Crete had a tradition of resistance to invaders, the island only obtained its freedom from Turkey in 1898, the numerous insurrections during the long occupation together with the mountainous terrain helped maintain an independence of character and willingness to bear and use arms.
Split into simpler sentences: Crete had a tradition of resistance to invaders; the island only obtained its freedom from Turkey in 1898. Numerous insurrections during the long occupation, together with the mountainous terrain, helped maintain an independence of character and willingness to bear and use arms.