Recent Greek History
Modern Greek identity was shaped significantly by WWI and its aftermath. Events in this period were to affect every aspect of Greek daily life, impacting heavily on culture, education and living conditions. It is not too much to say that WWI had ramifications throughout the century, including the mass migrations that would occur to and from Greece at different times in the 20th century. WWII was similarly pivotal, creating economic and political conditions that would lead directly to migration to Australia and other countries in the 1950s and ’60s. See Migration to Australia.
1922 – 1935
In 1922 Turkish nationalists overthrow the Ottoman government and organise a military assault on Greek troops based in Asia Minor. The Greeks are defeated. More than 150,000 Greeks of the Pontus region, and more than 400,000 Greeks from Asia Minor, die in the massacres and upheavals of the time.
By 1923, with the involvement of the European powers, agreement is reached for a population exchange. One and a half million Greek refugees from Turkey arrive in Greece. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims leave Greece for Turkey. Of the half million Pontian Greek refugees who do not go to Greece, 200,000 go to Russia. The remaining number are dispersed across the world. The populations of Athens and Thessaloniki double with the arrival of such large numbers of Greek refugees.
Working-class and upper middle-class Greeks who had lived comfortably in Smyrna and other towns and cities in Turkey now fall to the bottom of the social hierarchy in their new home. However, the cuisine and music of the east they bring with them enrich Greek kitchens and music. See Greek Culture and Tradition.
1936 – 1941
Greece is a republic from 1924 to 1936. With some popular support, the Greek monarchy is re-established in 1936 after many tumultuous events. The new prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas, has a grand vision for a third great Greek civilisation. He introduces economic, educational and industrial reforms, including the 8-hour working day, debt-relief for farmers, the teaching of demotic (folk) Greek in schools, and the social security system. He makes significant diplomatic progress with neighbouring countries, bringing stability to the economy.
However, his mission of creating a Hellenic culture of ‘pure’ Christian Orthodox Greeks leads to political parties being banned, communists arrested, strikes prohibited and the introduction of censorship.
Metaxas is remembered for his defence of Greece at the commencement of WWII with the staunch reply of Ohi! (No!) to Mussolini’s demands. When Italy invades Greece from the Albanian border in October 1940, the Greek army’s counter-offensive forces the Italians to retreat, the Allied forces’ first victory in WWII.
WWII and the Civil War
Metaxas dies in January 1941. In April the Germans invade, despite the combined defence of Greek, British, Australian and New Zealand units. When the Germans attempt to occupy Crete, civilians and Allied Forces offer fierce resistance. With the direct participation of Australian forces in the battle for Crete, Greece acquires special significance for Australia.
The campaigns in Greece and Crete are short, sharp and destined to fail. However, they create an enduring bond between the two nations. Australians still remember the courage of Greek fighters. They also remember that after the fighting was over many risked reprisals to shelter Australian soldiers and help them escape.
Thousands of Greeks die in direct combat, in concentration camps or of starvation during the years of Nazi occupation. Most Greek Jews are murdered, despite efforts by the Greek Orthodox Church and many Christian Greeks to shelter them. The economy is devastated. After German forces withdraw in 1944, the Greek government in exile returns to Athens. A bitter civil war breaks out between the communist ELAS guerilla army and government forces (comprising republicans, liberals, fascists, royalists and conservatives). It lasts until 1949.
100,000 people are killed in the civil war. At least 25,000 are Greek. An indefinite number of Macedonian Slavs are forced to flee to Eastern bloc countries. 700,000 become displaced persons inside Greece.
1950 – 1967
From 1951 to 1960, in the aftermath of the civil war, Greece is economically dependent on US aid. Almost 12% of the population emigrates to Australia, Canada and Germany.
Until 1964, Greece is ruled by conservative parties, the divisions between communists and anti-communists profoundly affecting every aspect of political and civil life. The government’s anti-communist direction, which includes US support, shifts in 1964 with the election of the Centre Union Party and George Papandreou as president.
This period is short lived. The government falls in July 1965. A succession of coalition governments formed by conservatives and rebel liberals follows. The instability creates the opportunity for the Greek military to step in. Seizing power in 1967, they hand control to the right-wing colonels, under the leadership of George Papadopoulos.
1967 – 1974
Greece’s military government rules from 1967 to 1974. Civil liberties are suppressed, special military courts are established, political parties are dissolved. Several thousand suspected communists and political opponents are imprisoned or exiled to remote Greek islands. (US support for the junta and the involvement of the CIA in the coup are significant factors in the strong anti-American sentiment still found in the Greek community today.)
The resentment of the Greek people towards the military intensifies when students are shot dead during the Athens Polytechnic uprising in 1973, growing again in 1974 when the new head of state, Colonel Ioannides, tries to overthrow the President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios. This action brings Greece to the brink of war with Turkey, which seizes the opportunity provided by these events to invade Cyprus and occupy part of the island.
Immediately after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the Greek president invites exiled politician Constantine Karamanlis to restore democracy in Greece. Karamanli’ returns in 1974 and as interim prime minister organises national democratic elections. He is re-elected for two further terms.
1974 to the Current Period
In 1975, following a referendum confirming the end of the monarchy, a democratic republican constitution is instituted. Andreas Papandreou returns and founds the socialist PASOK party, which wins elections in 1981 and dominates the country’s political course for almost two decades.
Greece joins the European Union in 1981 and adopts the Euro as its currency in 2001. Growing revenues from tourism, injections of EU funds, new infrastructure and the expansion of industries all contribute to a much improved standard of living in Greece.
Many social reforms bring Greece closer to conditions in other Western European countries: equal rights for women, industrial relations reforms, importantly, the policy of National Reconciliation. Resistance fighters from the period of the Nazi occupation are compensated under this policy, and communists exiled during the Civil War are allowed finally to return to Greece.
