George II (Hellenes)

George II 1890-1947, king of the Hellenes (1922-23, 1935-47), successor and eldest son of King Constantine I . When Constantine I was forced by the Allies to abdicate in 1917, George, also suspected of being pro-German, was passed over in favor of his younger brother Alexander , who succeeded to the Greek throne. Later, however, George succeeded Constantine I, who had been restored (1920) and again deposed (1922). Hostility to the dynasty was such, however, that George was compelled to leave Greece in 1923; a plebiscite shortly afterward established a republic. George spent his exile in Romania and later in London. Restored to his throne in 1935, King George allowed his premier, John Metaxas , to set up (1936) a dictatorship. After the conquest of Greece by Germany and Italy in World War II, George fled (1941) his country. He spent most of his exile in London. When Greece was liberated (1944) the question of the king's return was a major issue in the Greek civil war that began in Dec., 1944. George returned only in 1946, after a plebiscite had decided in favor of the monarchy. Although strongly backed by Great Britain and the United States, King George's government and army failed to defeat the rebels, and civil war continued after George's death, when his brother Paul succeeded him.

George II (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.