The Black Colonels are a military dictatorship in Greece. Characteristic features of the junta

The dictatorship of the black colonels in Greece was an unattractive stain in the history of the state. During its seven years of existence, all democratic institutions were abolished in the country. The opposition was destroyed, the king was exiled, the media were tightly controlled. After the study of this period of Greek history began, the scientists called their power no less than a military-fascist dictatorship, attributing to it the antipopular nature of the activity.

The reasons and prerequisites for a coup

In 1965, King Paul died in Greece, who was a good politician. He skillfully maneuvered between political parties, the army and civil servants. After his death, his son Constantine ascended to the throne. Unfortunately, the heir did not have such influence in the highest political and military circles, like his father. The country began a period of political crisis. The king could not find a common language with any government, so he often dismissed it. As a result, there was an extremely unstable situation in the political life of the country, which, accordingly, had an impact on economic and social development. This situation existed until 1967, when the black colonels (or the junta) seized power.

Greece on the eve of the coup

Already in 1966 a wave of demonstrations and rallies swept the country. In January, 80,000 workers and employees were on strike, in June - 20,000 bank employees and 6,000 postal employees, 150,000 Athenian civil servants took to the streets of the city, and by October the builders of all Greece had risen, numbering in their ranks 180,000 people . The demands of the strikes were mostly economic, although there were also political slogans: "Free elections", "Down with the government".

Some politicians predicted the coming to power of the military dictatorship. In the history of Greece of the XX century this happened often: in 1923, 1925, 1936, 1953. As a rule, the dictatorship came to power for a short time to establish stability and order in the country, then handed over power to civilians. Black Colonels in Greece 1967-1974. Were an exception.

While some predicted the coming to power of the military, others argued that the era of dictatorships in Europe has already passed. "The population of our country and other states will be against it, and even the soldiers who pledged to defend the rights of citizens will not raise their hand," - so they said, denying the possibility of the junta coming to power. However, everything went exactly to that! At the University of Athens was even read a course of lectures that promote the use of dictatorship in difficult political conditions.

The military coup

By the spring of 1967, the political crisis had reached an alarming scale. On April 21, an important event occurred - the legitimate power in the country was overthrown. At the helm of the state was the junta of the black colonels. It was not a bloody revolution, it was a revolution. Early in the morning, the capital's population was awakened by the movement of tanks through the streets of Athens. The radio already sounded announcements that the power passed into the hands of the military. They stated: before the coup, Greece remained underdeveloped politically by the state of Europe, and the parties acted in an undemocratic way. The authorities had a leader, and who opposed, were excluded from the ranks of the government. There was a complete moral and political chaos.

The military managed to seize power without any problems, since the population was almost 100% behind them. The military for the entire XX century formed the image of "fair judges", establishing stability and balance throughout the century. In addition, black colonels gained support of the population after their statements that they are not by hearsay familiar with the problems and aspirations of the common people.

Triumvirate 1967-1974

After the coup, the country was officially administered collectively, but in reality the power was concentrated in the hands of the triumvirate - G. Popadopoulos, S. Pattakos, N. Makarezos. The first of them later became the sole ruler of Greece. In 1967, the military came to power, which, in fact, were the black colonels. Greece after more than 20 years of democracy remembered what a dictatorship is.

Papadopoulos Georgios

Was born in the family of a rural teacher in the Peloponnese region. That region was historically very poor, so the population either sought to leave it, or went to the army, staying there. Such a fate befell Georgios. He quickly moved up the ranks, rising to the rank of colonel. He was engaged in matters of strict secrecy, was involved in making contacts with the Mexican intelligence and the CIA. He was very closed and suspicious, he suffered from claustrophobia.

Makarezos Nicholas

According to the memoirs of his contemporaries, he was the most intellectually developed member of the representatives of the triumvirate. He was distinguished by rigidity and ingenuity, he was able to find and translate into reality original and, most importantly, necessary ideas. I listened to my advisers and listened to them. During the dictatorship, he was in charge of the most important sphere of the state - the economy, considering that reforms in this direction are possible only on the condition of stability within the state. Being a member of the triumvirate "Black Colonels", still remained an ardent supporter of the republican system.

Pattakos Stilianos

Was completely "imbued" with military characteristics, although otherwise remained a fairly limited personality, however, he did not seek to look like an intellectual. In 1940 he graduated from the military academy with Papadopoulos. Its distinctive feature was that, unlike the other high-ranking figures of the time, he did not have personal protection. He was a very religious person and always carried a family icon with him. He often replaced Papadopoulos at official meetings.

Attempt of counter-revolution

Of all the representatives of the political elite of the "Dohunt" regime, only one had open resistance to the dictatorship. It was King Constantine. He found two associates, who were P. Canellopoulos and G. Papandreou. They understood perfectly well that there was practically no chance to overthrow the triumvirate, but nevertheless they supported the king.

The black colonels knew about the counter-coup prepared and even provoked it. So, on December 12, they presented the monarch with an ultimatum, under which he was to remove from the post of Prime Minister K. Collias and nazanachat Papadopulos in his place. The actions began the next day. It was planned to seize the post of chief of the army's general staff. The King spoke at one of the radio stations with an address to the Greek people. However, the people of Greece did not do anything that the monarch urged. Moreover, the troops remained faithful to Papadopoulos, the suppression of the insurrection passed as imperceptibly as it had begun. The king himself was forced to go to a voluntary exile in Rome.

The next day, the black colonels themselves spoke on the radio. They said that the criminal organization wanted to destroy the state and dislodge power, while using the king himself. Thus, the monarch was not accused. Moreover, members of the government showed their loyalty to the monarchy, and portraits of members of the royal family "decorated" the offices of civil servants.

Political features of the junta

The regime of the black colonels in Greece clearly adhered to a certain sequence in their actions and relied on specific "rods".

First, there was a struggle with all opposition. It was banned, and all those who had other political views were persecuted. At that time, the activity of concentration camps was expanded.

Secondly, all the years of power in the junta took place under the slogans of fighting communism. Greece was surrounded on all sides by the countries of the socialist camp. And, according to the government, communism could "break into the heads of the Greeks."

Thirdly, the parliament and all political parties of the country were dissolved. At the same time, Papadopoulos himself rejected the idea of creating his own party, since, in his opinion, this was not necessary. The authorities already managed their duties in full.

Fourthly, the black colonels created the ideology of the Greek-Christian spirit, opposing it to the Communists who fought against religion. The Junta built society based on Christian ideals, aiming at the creation of the "great Greek people." Ideas of Christianity were propagated everywhere: in schools, educational institutions and even in the army. In all the cities of Greece , posters with calls to cultivate Christian values were hung.

The crisis in the economy in 1973-1974. And the fall of the junta

Black colonels came to power under the slogans of solving economic, political and social problems. That part of the population that believed this, over the years, became disillusioned with the power of the military, who were not going to leave, having transferred power to the civil government. Years passed, the economic situation worsened. Inflation began, the pace of which was much higher than the growth of wages in the country. The population no longer supported the junta. Then the government decided to set a limit on price growth, to which producers responded sharply negatively, after which the dictatorship of the black colonels sent free prices for more than 150 types of goods and services. The prices have grown even more!

The country held open statements against the existing regime demanding democratic elections, as well as the return of the king. On claims to raise salaries, the government responded that the level of wages directly depends on labor productivity, making it clear that no increase is foreseen. Repression continued.

In order to somehow distract the population from internal problems, the regime of the black colonels decided to hold a small victorious war, during which it was planned to annex Cyprus. It happened in July 1974. However, the attacks of Greece were repulsed, the troops were forced to leave the island. After this, the junta was dislodged, and the power passed into the hands of a democratic government. On this 7-year period of the reign of the black colonels in Greece ended.

Over the years of being in power, the black colonels failed to lead Greece out of the political and economic crisis. The situation inside the country was further exacerbated, the population became poorer day by day. All led to the fact that a counter-coup will occur, it remained only to wait for the highest peak of discontent with the dictatorship. It happened after another failure in Cyprus. The dictators were condemned. Papadopoulos, Makarezos, Pattakos were sentenced to death, but then sentenced to life imprisonment. Thus ended the era, which remained a black spot in the history of Greek civilization.