Greek Civil War: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:50, 10 November 2005

Revision as of 03:01, 10 November 2005

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On one side, in the civil war, were most of the predominantly conservative [[Greeks|Greek]] civilian population, and the armed forces of the [[Greece|Greek government]], supported by its fellow members of the Western Allies. On the other side were Greek [[socialists]], and the forces of the biggest Anti-Nazi [[resistance]] organization ([[ELAS]]), the leadership of which was controlled by the [[Communist Party of Greece]].

In the first phase of the civil war ([[1942]]-[[1944]]), the left-wing and right-wing of the resistance movement fought each other, in a fraternalfratricidal conflict to establish the leadership of the Greek resistance. In the second phase ([[1944]]) the ascendant socialists, in military control of most of Greece, were confronted by the returning Greek [[government in exile]], which had been formed under Western Allied auspices in [[Cairo]]. In the third phase (commonly called the "Third Round" by the Communists) ([[1946]]-[[1949]]), a centre-right government, elected under abnormal conditions, fought against armed forces controlled by the [[Communist Party of Greece]]. Although the involvement of the Communist Party in the uprisings was universally known, the party remained legal until 1948, continuing to coordinate attacks from its [[Athens]] offices until [[proscription]].

During the conflict neighbouring countries, to further their own territorial claims against Greece, exerted pressures on both sides. The best-known example was the pressure exerted by [[SNOF]], which was based in [[Yugoslavia]] and fought as an integrated ELAS ally during the third phase of the war (see [[Macedonia]]). The civil war left Greece with severe economic problems, and a legacy of political division which lasted until the 1970s. The consequences of the war remain controversial to this day.

The civil war left Greece with a legacy of political division, client status the US, and suspicions of its northern neighbors, which lasted until the 1970s and beyond. On the other hand, as result of the outcome of civil war, unlike Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, Greece did not share the 40 years of communist rule and its attendant consequences.

==Background: 1941-44==