History of George II of Greece

George II of Greece was a notable political figure whose reign was marked by turbulence and warfare, reflecting the tumultuous history of Greece in the early to mid-20th century. Born on July 19, 1890, he was the eldest son of King Constantine I and Queen Sophia of Greece. His reign was defined by a series of political upheavals, wars, and shifts in governance that mirrored the instability of his home country during this era.

George was born into a Europe that was on the brink of immense change and upheaval. His education and early life were set against a backdrop of growing nationalistic movements and imperial competitions. After completing his education in Germany, George returned to Greece, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges of governance in a young and ambitious nation-state navigating through a complex international environment.

George's political career began to take shape during the First World War. Greece, under his father King Constantine I, had maintained a stance of neutrality. However, this neutrality was fraught with internal divisions, primarily because King Constantine was perceived as pro-German, while Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos was staunchly pro-Allied. This division ultimately resulted in the National Schism, where Venizelos established a provisional government aligned with the Allies, leading to Constantine's abdication in 1917. The throne was passed to George’s younger brother, Alexander, bypassing George due to the tensions surrounding his father's policies.

George II was called to the Greek throne in 1922 following Alexander’s unexpected death and the eventual abdication of his father after the defeat of Greece in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), which ended in the catastrophic Asia Minor Catastrophe. His initial reign was short-lived due to the volatile political environment. In 1924, following a military coup and a plebiscite, the monarchy was abolished, and George was exiled, marking the start of Greece’s Second Hellenic Republic.

During his exile, George lived in London and Bucharest, disconnected from Greek political life but constantly monitoring developments in his homeland. The interwar years in Greece were characterized by political fragmentation, economic difficulties exacerbated by the Great Depression, and social unrest. The fragile republican government struggled to gain stability, and frequent changes in leadership created an environment ripe for authoritarian solutions.

The return of George to the throne in 1935 was orchestrated by a combination of political and military developments. A coup led by General Georgios Kondylis abolished the republic, and a plebiscite was arranged. The referendum, criticized for being manipulated, resulted overwhelmingly in favor of restoring the monarchy, albeit under contentious circumstances.

Upon his return, George II faced a nation in need of strong leadership. However, his reign was soon overshadowed by the rise of Ioannis Metaxas, a former military officer who established a quasi-fascist regime known as the 4th of August Regime in 1936. Metaxas dissolved parliament, suppressed political opposition, and assumed dictatorial powers with the passive approval of George. The King maintained his throne but had limited actual power, as Metaxas controlled the government and pursued a policy of neutrality while preparing for the looming threat of war.

World War II further complicated George's reign. In October 1940, Italian forces invaded Greece, but the Greek military successfully repelled them, an event that rallied national pride. However, the subsequent German invasion in 1941 forced a much different scenario. As Axis forces occupied Greece, George and his government fled to Crete and then to Egypt, continuing to lead the Greek government-in-exile throughout the war.

By the end of World War II, Greece was embroiled in a civil war between the communist forces and the government. After the liberation in 1944, George faced considerable opposition from various segments of society, including communists and republicans who opposed the return of monarchy. A new plebiscite in 1946, conducted amid ongoing conflict and under contentious conditions, led to the restoration of George II to the throne once more.

His final reign was short and without substantial influence. Greece's post-war environment was dominated by the need for reconstruction and the ongoing civil strife, eventually leading the country towards a right-wing government supported by the United States under the Truman Doctrine. Throughout these challenges, George II was a symbol of continuity, but his political influence remained limited amidst the broader Cold War dynamics influencing Greece.

George II passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on April 1, 1947. His death marked the end of a significant chapter in Greek history, as he witnessed both the decline of royal influence in Greek politics and the shifting power dynamics of the 20th century. His legacy is characterized by the era’s great political conflicts and transformations, which continue to be analyzed by historians seeking to understand the complexities of Greece during this period.