From1484 until 1797 the island of Zakynthos was ruled by the Venetians, whose programme of re-construction and cultural development after the devasting influence of the Turks led to changes in administration, social structure and the economy of the island resulting in an improved quality of life. They were concerned about the low population and from 1492 offered privileges to those who wanted to migrate and live in Zakynthos from other Venetian territories. It was the Venetians who referred to the island of Zakynthos as Zante and many of the traditions and customs today still have an Italian influence. The Venetians and the Greeks lived side by side peacefully due partly to the fact that the Greeks were given the right to maintain their national identity and their religious independence, most people keeping their Greek language and religion, although many of the upper classes spoke Italian and converted to Roman Catholicism. The Venetians, however, implemented an aristocratic political system dividing the population into nobles, citizens and common people (Popolari), resulting in inequality and exploitation of the weakest people by the nobles. This led to an uprising by the Popolari who were demanding political rights, from 1628 until 1632, which was violently suppressed and the three class system remained until the end of the Venetian rule in 1797, when the French conquered the island.

On July 4th 1797, the French conquered Zakynthos. Napoleon himself promised that he would free the Ionian Islands and gave fresh hope to the islanders. Celebrations ensued and the tree of freedom was planted in the main square of Zakynthos town, along with the burning of the 'Libro d'oro', the book which contained the nobles' names and privileges. French Rule on the Ionian Islands became official on October 17, 1797 and the Ionian Islands became part of France on November 1, 1797. The French Rule however was short-lived as the social and economic problems of island continued. In October of 1798, a Russian and Turkish fleet took command of the island and the privileges of the nobles were immediately reinstated. On March 21, 1800, the "Ionian State", was founded in Constantinople the government of which was made up only of nobles resulting in constant uprisings by the islanders. The State of the Ionian Islands was the first independent Greek state of modern history and lasted seven years until in 1807 the Turks gave back control of the Ionian islands to the French giving fresh hope for a peaceful life to the inhabitants. Two years later, however, the English arrived in Zakynthos.

On September 19, 1809, the English conquered Zakynthos and slowly took control over the Ionian islands founding the "United States of the Ionian Islands" in 1815 according to the treaty of Paris. The government of Zakynthos was now officially under the supervision of England and the English Lord Commissioner. The English Occupation brought many changes to the infrastructure of the island with the building of new churches and roads and the partial construction of the main harbour. The Greek Revolution against the Turks in 1821 brought conflicts between the Zakynthians and the British administration who did not want the islanders to continue their support of the Greek rebels. Despite their efforts, the English were unsuccessful in preventing the Zakynthians from participating in the Greek Revolution and after the liberation of Greece and the establishment of the Greek State, the islanders of the Ionian demanded to be reunited with Greece. Eventually, in 1863, in London, a treaty was signed stating that England gave up the role of supervising the Ionian islands and shortly after, on May 21st 1864 the unification of the Ionian Islands with Greece became official.

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