The second world war left Greece devastated. Thousands of civilians had been killed. Industries were at standstill, factories were destroyed, and many cities were left in ruins. The country was economically bankrupt. The government was in chaos, dealing with these problems. The Greek Civil War began before the nazi’s occopation when Greek communists tried to take hold of their country. The War broke out in 1944 in Athens. British Military forces helped defeat the communists.
In March 1946 an election was held, but the communists and their followers refused to vote. This resulted in a right royalist victory. In September people issued a vote for the return of King George II. He died within six months of winning the election and his brother Paul replaced him. Again, the country started to slip toward civil war. The turning point came in October 1946, when a Democratic Army, controlled by communists, was established.
The second stage of the Civil War began. Great Britain could no longer defend Greece. The Truman Doctrine was an American foreign policy that was created to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War. After the Truman Doctrine was announced, in March 1947, the U.S. government replaced Great Britain with reinforcing Greece. At this time the Greek communists had created a government in the northern mountains. Military and economic aid from America was much needed to prevent them from taking hold of the rest of Greece. It was at this time when the tides gradually began to turn.
With reinforcements from America the Greek army was able to destroy the rebel centres. This second stage of the war went until the summer of 1949. This war was long and devastating to its country. An estimate of more than 50,000 combatants were killed. The strife and fierce brutality that characterizes the Greek Civil War left a lasting legacy. The war left its mark on Greece and the people felt the consequences heavily. Even now almost 70 years later there is still bitterness between different area of the Greek population.
In March 1946 an election was held, but the communists and their followers refused to vote. This resulted in a right royalist victory. In September people issued a vote for the return of King George II. He died within six months of winning the election and his brother Paul replaced him. Again, the country started to slip toward civil war. The turning point came in October 1946, when a Democratic Army, controlled by communists, was established.
The second stage of the Civil War began. Great Britain could no longer defend Greece. The Truman Doctrine was an American foreign policy that was created to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War. After the Truman Doctrine was announced, in March 1947, the U.S. government replaced Great Britain with reinforcing Greece. At this time the Greek communists had created a government in the northern mountains. Military and economic aid from America was much needed to prevent them from taking hold of the rest of Greece. It was at this time when the tides gradually began to turn.
With reinforcements from America the Greek army was able to destroy the rebel centres. This second stage of the war went until the summer of 1949. This war was long and devastating to its country. An estimate of more than 50,000 combatants were killed. The strife and fierce brutality that characterizes the Greek Civil War left a lasting legacy. The war left its mark on Greece and the people felt the consequences heavily. Even now almost 70 years later there is still bitterness between different area of the Greek population.
Sources:
http://www.historynet.com/greek-civil-war.htm
https://www.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-Warwww.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-War
http://www.historynet.com/greek-civil-war.htm
https://www.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-Warwww.britannica.com/event/Greek-Civil-War