History of Paul of Greece

Paul of Greece, officially known as Paul I of the Hellenes, was a significant figure in Greek history, particularly during the turbulent mid-20th century. Though primarily remembered as a monarch rather than a politician in the conventional sense, his rule was deeply entrenched in the political upheavals of the time, influencing and being influenced by the major political currents of Greece.

Born on December 14, 1901, in the royal villa at Tatoi to King Constantine I of Greece and Queen Sophia, Paul grew up in a period of significant political change and turmoil. His early life was marked by the vicissitudes of fortune that affected the Greek monarchy, especially during and after World War I. Paul was the third son, and given the norms of primogeniture, his pathway to kingship was not straightforward initially.

The period during and after World War I was chaotic for the Greek monarchy, with Constantine I initially abdicating in 1917 owing to his perceived pro-German sympathies. This was followed by a restoration in 1920, only for him to abdicate again in 1922 after a military debacle in Asia Minor. Subsequently, the Greek monarchy was abolished in 1924, which meant that Paul spent a significant part of his formative years in exile, mostly in Italy, with visits to Great Britain and other European nations. This exile period contributed to his cosmopolitan outlook and his exposure to different cultural and political systems.

In 1935, following a plebiscite, the monarchy was restored under his older brother, King George II. Paul returned to Greece and took on his royal duties. During World War II, as Greece was overrun by Axis forces, Paul alongside the Greek government went into exile in Egypt and South Africa after a brief stint in Crete. During this period, he married Frederica of Hanover in 1938, with whom he had three children: Sophie, Constantine, and Irene.

Following Greece’s liberation from Axis forces in 1944, the country was plunged into a civil war between communist and anti-communist forces. During this period, King George II returned to Greece, but his reign was short-lived as he passed away in 1947, and Paul became king. Paul's reign from 1947 to 1964 was characterized by significant post-war recovery efforts and navigating the complex political landscape marked by the Greek Civil War (1946-1949).

During his reign, Paul’s role was often seen as being above politics, yet the monarchy itself was a symbol and a tool within the broader political struggles. The Greek Civil War eventually ended with the defeat of the communist forces, but the war left deep political scars, and a polarizing environment persisted throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s.

Paul’s reign was also marked by Greece’s alignment with Western powers during the Cold War, notably joining NATO in 1952. To consolidate this western-oriented policy, Greece under Paul, received significant economic and military aid from the United States as part of the Truman Doctrine's strategy to contain communism.

Within the domestic realm, Paul facilitated a degree of modernization in Greece. The post-war era led to a period of economic growth known as the "Greek economic miracle," with strides in industry, infrastructure, and tourism, elevated further by the stabilization of Greek politics post-civil war. However, the traditional royal role was continuously challenged by recurring political instability and disputes between the monarchy and elected officials.

Paul’s relationship with the democratic government was complex. He was often criticized for his interventionist stance in politics, especially in his support for conservative elements against more liberal or socialist movements. This often reflected the enduring royalist-republican divide in Greek society, a hangover from periods when the monarchy was directly contested.

King Paul I's health began to decline in the early 1960s, and he passed away on March 6, 1964, succeeded by his son Constantine II. Paul’s death marked the end of an era but was not the end of Greece’s political difficulties. The country soon faced new political challenges, including a military coup in 1967, during Constantine II's controversial reign.

While not a politician in the conventional sense, Paul of Greece's life intertwined deeply with political affairs. His reign encompassed both stability and division, reflecting and shaping the Greek political landscape. As a monarch, his decisions and their impacts were inherently political, navigating a world of ideological divides and international alignments. Thus, through his reign, Paul contributed to shaping the course of modern Greek history in a manner that underscores the intricate links between monarchy and politics in 20th-century Greece.