History of George II of Greece

George II of Greece was a significant historical figure whose political life and reign were deeply intertwined with the turbulent history of Greece in the early to mid-20th century. Born on July 19, 1890, George II was the eldest son of King Constantine I of Greece and Queen Sophia. His life and political role were marked by the broader conflicts that shook Europe and Greece, including wars, internal political strife, and shifts between monarchy and republicanism.

George II’s early life was steeped in the complexities of Greek and European politics. Educated in Greece, Germany, and Denmark, he grew up during a time when Greece was attempting to establish itself as a modern state amidst the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of nationalism. This period saw Greece expanding territorially, particularly during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), which were crucial in shaping its boundaries.

The early part of George's political career was dominated by the tumultuous period of World War I and its aftermath. His father, King Constantine I, was a contentious figure because of his perceived pro-German stance, which led to significant friction with the pro-Allied Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. This political friction also affected George, who, like his father, was seen by many as being aligned with Germany. During World War I, Greece was effectively divided between the royalist forces loyal to Constantine, and the Venizelists, who supported the Allies. This division was part of the so-called "National Schism," a period of intense political and social upheaval in Greece.

When King Constantine I was forced to abdicate in June 1917 under Allied pressure, George also left Greece. His younger brother, Alexander, was installed as king, and George spent several years in exile. The death of King Alexander in 1920 and the subsequent return of Constantine paved the way for George to return to Greece. Under these renewed circumstances, and after his father’s second abdication in 1922 following Greece’s catastrophic defeat in the Asia Minor Campaign, George ascended the throne in 1922.

George II's reign witnessed the continued political instability of Greece. In 1923, after the disastrous defeat of Greece in the Greco-Turkish War, the monarchy faced growing opposition. George was deposed in March 1924, and Greece was declared a republic. George spent the next decade and a half in exile, during which the Greek political landscape was characterized by coups, counter-coups, and changes of government.

The instability came to an abrupt pause in 1935 when the monarchy was restored through a rigged plebiscite, and George returned to Greece as king. However, his return did not result in political calm. Greece was now under the authoritarian rule of Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas who, through the 4th of August Regime, imposed a dictatorship that was supportive of the king but restrictive of democratic freedoms. The Metaxas regime drew inspiration from contemporary European fascist governments, promoting a form of Greek nationalism while suppressing political dissent.

Despite these authoritarian leanings, George II and Metaxas successfully maintained Greek neutrality at the onset of World War II, leveraging the country's strategic importance. However, in 1940, Italy invaded Greece, forcing Greece into conflict. The war went remarkably well for Greece initially, most notably in the Greco-Italian War, where Greek forces repelled Italian advancements. Nonetheless, in 1941, Germany invaded and occupied Greece, forcing George II and the Greek government to flee, first to Crete and subsequently to Egypt, and then to Great Britain.

The occupation of Greece during World War II left the country in a dire state, with suffering exacerbated by famine and resistance movements. George II’s status during this period was contentious. While in exile, he maintained relationships with the British government, hoping to return to Greece post-liberation. However, his return was not straightforward. The liberation of Greece in 1944 was followed by civil unrest and a civil war, largely pitting communist forces against those loyal to the pre-war government and monarchy.

In 1946, following World War II and amidst the Greek Civil War (1946–1949), another controversial plebiscite was held, and the monarchy was once again restored, allowing George II to return to a politically fractured nation. However, his return did little to stabilize the country as it remained embroiled in civil war. George II’s efforts to navigate this complex political terrain were cut short; he died suddenly of arteriosclerosis on April 1, 1947.

George II's political life was undeniably shaped by extraordinary events—wars, shifts between regimes, and national crises. His role as a politician and monarch was continually challenged by the dramatic fluctuations of Greece’s political landscape. He remains a figure emblematic of the enduring struggles between monarchy and republicanism, external influence, and internal strife in modern Greek history. His legacy continues to be viewed through the lens of the challenges and crises that defined his reign, reflecting both the resilience and volatility of Greek politics in the first half of the 20th century.