When Did the Greek Civil War Start?
The Greek Civil War was a brutal and devastating conflict that lasted from 1946 to 1949, leaving the country in ruins and causing irreparable damage to its society and economy. The war was fought between the Communist-led Democratic Army of Greece (DAG) and the Nationalist forces supported by the United States. In this article, we will explore the events that led to the outbreak of the war and the date when it officially started.
Background to the Conflict
The Greek Civil War was a direct result of the Greek Resistance movement during World War II. The resistance movement, which was formed in 1941, was composed of various groups, including communists, socialists, and nationalists. These groups fought against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria) and the collaborationist Greek government that was established under the Metaxas regime.
After the war, the resistance movement became a powerful force in Greek politics, with many of its leaders seeking to establish a socialist or communist government. The British government, which had supported the resistance movement during the war, was concerned about the rise of communism in Greece and sought to establish a monarchist government under King George II.
The December 1944 Events
The conflict began to escalate in December 1944, when the communist-led resistance movement, supported by the Soviet Union, launched an armed uprising in Athens. The uprising, which was known as the December 1944 events, was an attempt to overthrow the government and establish a socialist regime. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the British and Greek government forces, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and the arrest of thousands more.
The Elections of 1946
The December 1944 events marked the beginning of a period of political unrest in Greece. In the March 1946 elections, the Centre Union (CU) party, led by Georgios Papandreou, won a slim majority. However, the United States, which had invested heavily in Greece, was concerned about the rise of communism and sought to support a more pro-western government.
In May 1946, the United States and Great Britain intervened in Greek politics by supporting the Nationalist forces and king George II. This led to the June 1946 elections, which were won by the Nationalist forces, led by Konstantinos Tsaldaris.
The Outbreak of the Civil War
The elections of 1946 marked the beginning of the Greek Civil War. The Communist-led Democratic Army of Greece (DAG), which was formed in September 1946, launched a series of attacks against the Nationalist forces and the government. The war was marked by brutal fighting, massacre, and repression, with both sides committing atrocities.
Key Dates
The following table highlights the key dates in the lead-up to and during the Greek Civil War:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 1944 | Communist-led resistance movement launches armed uprising in Athens |
| March 1946 | Centre Union party wins elections |
| May 1946 | United States and Great Britain intervene in Greek politics |
| June 1946 | Nationalist forces win elections |
| September 1946 | Democratic Army of Greece (DAG) is formed |
| 1946-1949 | Greek Civil War is fought |
Conclusion
The Greek Civil War was a devastating conflict that left the country in ruins and caused irreparable damage to its society and economy. The war was fought between the Communist-led Democratic Army of Greece (DAG) and the Nationalist forces supported by the United States. The conflict began in December 1944 with the armed uprising in Athens and continued until 1949, when the Nationalist forces emerged victorious. The war had a lasting impact on Greek politics and society, shaping the country’s development for decades to come.
