“The December Events 80 Years Later” with Pantelis Kapsis and historian Nikos Maratzidis – Episode 2

It has been 80 years since Athens became the focal point of a bloody civil conflict, with the battles, which lasted about a month, going down in history as the December Events.

In the second episode of the historical series from protothema.gr, journalist Pantelis Kapsis discusses the military operations with historian Nikos Maratzidis, one of the most credible academics on the Civil War, with a rich body of written work.

The conflicts pitted the government forces and the British against the ELAS, led by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

The trigger was pulled on December 3, when the police opened fire on demonstrators in Syntagma Square, killing several. However, the country was already on the path to civil conflict. The battles were intense and evenly matched, with the ELAS’s victory seeming inevitable for several days. The situation, however, dramatically changed with the arrival of strong British reinforcements. Winston Churchill’s determination to secure Greece’s integration into the Western bloc played a crucial role. In a communication with General Scobie, he did not hesitate to order the British army to act as though they were in an enemy-occupied city. After all, the percentage agreement with Stalin had ensured him complete freedom of action.

Much has been written about the strategy of the KKE, particularly its decision to withdraw its EAM ministers from the national unity government just a few days before the conflict broke out, with George Papandreou as prime minister. For years, the theory of provocation prevailed, with Ilias Iliou calling it a “banana peel.” Today, however, we know that the leadership of the left consciously decided on conflict. While the causes remain a matter of debate, the consequences are undeniable.

The Varkiza Agreement, which ended the conflict and called for the disarmament of the ELAS, proved inadequate. True reconciliation was not achieved, and one year later the Civil War broke out, lasting until 1949. The December Events played a decisive role in widening the gap between the two sides, delayed justice for the collaborators, and left open, bloody scores.

Watch the third episode of the series on Thursday morning, December 5th.

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