Overview
George II
(1890—1947)
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(1890–1947)
King of the Hellenes (1922–23; 1935–47). He came to the throne when General Palstiras deposed his father (1922), but the continuing unpopularity of the Greek royal family caused him to leave Greece (1923). In 1935 a plebiscite favouring the monarchy enabled him to return. His position was difficult, for real power lay with the dictatorial General Metaxas. In April 1941 Hitler attacked Greece, driving him into exile again. With strong backing from Britain, the king returned to Greece in 1946, but the Greek communists who had resisted Hitler now waged civil war against the restoration of the monarchy. He died in 1947 and US support for his brother Paul brought the civil war to an end in 1949.
From: George II in A Dictionary of World History »
Subjects: History
