2-WWII+Greece+OT

**What were the circumstances in the Occupied Territory that compelled the policies implemented by the occupying power there?**
**__ Occupation of Greece by the Axis Powers __** LOOK AT THIS - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Triple_Occupation_of_Greece.png/588px-Triple_Occupation_of_Greece.png

Interestingly enough, the axis powers of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany invaded Greece, and remained occupied until Germany and its satellite Bulgaria withdrew from mainland Greece in October 1944. For Italy, the occupation was a result of the Greco-Italian War, a conflict between Italy and Greece that lasted from 28 October 1940 to 23 April 1941. Historians reference the event as the begging of the Balkan Campaign of WWII and the first offensive/anti-imperialist measure taken in the space of Grecian occupation.

Following the unsuccessful invasion of the Greco-Italian War, the Battle of Greece was fought, an invasion of Greece by Germany in April of 1941. This event is one of greater significance for the Balkan Campaign of the Nazis.

Following the bursting of WWII, Loannis Metaxas (then fascist dictator of Greece) strove for a neutral position within the conflict. Proximity and tensions made conflict inevitable, as the sinking of the Elli (Italian Cruiser) on Aug 15ht 1940 prompted a swift response from Italy and ally Germany.

As a result of a sort of tactical schism between Mussolini and Hitler, Mussolini decided to “pay him back in his own coin” and occupy Greece, much like having a fake boy/girlfriend to make an exboy/girlfriend jealous. Thus, Greco-Italian War, thus Italy failed, thus Germany tried and took Occupied part of Greece with Italy, thus Britain comes to Greece’s aid.

Incentives included expansionary power and the fact that Greece held key Mediterranean bases for Britain.

**How was policy shaped to address these circumstances?**
Perfect! Britain tried to come to Greece’s aid, as they were Obliged by one “Declaration of 1939” which stated that in the event of a threat to Greek or Romanian independence, "His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Greek or Romanian Government ... all the support in their power."

Thus, the British deployed a few RAF Squadrons and aided Greek to redeploy the 5th Cretan Division, a division which was at the forefront of German occupation until the ending of the war.

Nov 17, 1940, Metaxas asks Britain to consider a joint offensive force combination against the German Balkan Campaign. In short, Britain was hesitant/reluctant to consider such proposal on account of the trade off – removing forces from North Africa.

Britain emissaries requested 9 divisions +air support be sent to Greece. British Command rejected the request, and said they could offer a “token force” of considerably less strength. Greece rejected the offer, thinking it would prompt a German invasion, and such little auxiliary force would alleviate little punishment.

Britain reconsidered a month later. Churchill was adamant on winning the Balkans, and gave orders to resume negotiations. He believed "there was no other course open to [Britain] but to make certain that we had spared no effort to help the Greeks who had shown themselves so worthy." ====**What were the effects of the occupation of your territory on the occupying power's war effort?** - This should include basic data such as numbers of troops diverted to the occupation and so forth, but should also take into account less logistical factors such as the psychological effect of occupation on the occupying power, issues of morale, attitudes of occupation forces toward the local population (and vice versa) and the degree to which that sharpened or dulled the occupiers' resolve, etc. ==== Greece suffered greatly at the hands of the occupation.

German occupation The economy of Greece had already suffered greatly at the hands of a 6 month war and the Nazis only made that worse. They took a large majority of raw goods, food, and made did not pay for any services rendered to them, having the occupied state take charges which resulted in inflation of the Grecian currency (drachma), on top of a war loan Greece gave to Germany (jerk move, srsly) under orders. Loan was never paid back (obviously). This resulted in a “Great Famine” in which 300k people died. Food aid came from Sweden and Turkey, but most went to the German Imperialists.

The Germans also quelled civilians in reprisal, some 21k, Bulgaria killed 40k and Italy killed 9k Grecians. Kommeno is the most notable of these killings – 317 villagers were killed by the 1st Gebirgs Division and spread to surrounding villages, amassing >500 civies killed in September 1943.

Italy also had its share of atrocities, as they sought control over the Grecian govt and attempted to annex Chameria and Kosovo, which Germany said no to. In comparison, the Italian zones did face mild intervention, and after the Italian Armistice in Sept of 1943, Germany took over the Italian zones, and most post-war sentiment was animosity to German intervention.

**What were the motivations/methods/outcomes of resistance and collaboration?**
Few Greeks cooperated with the Nazis and created a sort of binary within the population – Passive acceptance or Active resistance in the face of German occupation.

First resistance broke out in Northern Greece, with resentment against the Bulgarian annexations were taking place. Germans came to aid of their Fascist counterparts and thus, killed 488 civilians (1941). This led to a collapse in the early guerilla type warfare expected of resistence movements, but came back in 1942 with the Pro-Communist National Liberation Front and the Grecian PLA, both carrying out sabotage and guerilla attacks.

When Italy surrendered to the allies in 1943, German soldiers acutally hunted down and killed Italian solders, getting some 5k Italians in the Massacre of the Acqui Division.

Collaboration was a strange tale to tell, and still is. The fascists put Georgios Tsolakoglou in charge as a Nazi puppet Prime Minister. Germans and Italians also attempted to stoke the fire of existing Fascist movements in Greece – the national Union of Greece, the EKK, The Greek National Socialist Party and the Hellenis Socialist Patriotic Organization all say support from Germans and Italians and were resented upon fascist control exiting the occupation.

**How did this affect the Occupied Territory after the war?** **- Use case studies to illustrate.**
The Axis occupation of Greece, specifically the Greek islands, has had a significant presence Real special forces raids, e.g., Ill Met by Moonlight The Guns of Navarone Escape to Athena They Who Dare (1954), Captain Corelli's Mandolin The economy was in a state of severe depression after the occupation and took a while to return to where it was prior to invasion. Turmoil in the short run ensued, however, as a Civil War broke out between Guerilla Forces and Communist Leaders. Said war was only possible by the power vacuum left by Germany pulling out. It ended in 1949 and Greece joined NATO in ’52.

**What were the effects of occupation on women & youth in the Occupied Territory?** **- Use case studies to illustrate.**
The Youth was instantly polarized as the war time parameters and the after math of a civl war made the youth part of a culture embracing violence. They then rejected it in full after the civil war, as youth came forth in society as a distinct social power with autonomous presence (creation of a new culture in music, fashion etc.)

As for women, (there was literally nothing I could find all I found was “Women play an important role in the resistance as fighters as well as support.” And that’s it. Literally.)