Changes

The rise of resistance movements in Greece was precipitated by the invasion and occupation of Greece by Nazi Germany (and its allies Italy and Bulgaria) from [[1941]] to [[1944]]. Italy led the way with its invasion of [[Albania]] in [[1940]]. By [[1941]], [[Athens]] had fallen and [[King George II]] and his government escaped to Egypt, where they set up a government in exile which was recognized by the Allies. The British forced the King to use center wing politicians as ministers. Only two of his ministers were members of the previous dictatorial government. However, for most Greek citizens under occupation this government in exile was "too far". On one hand, followers of the left-wing resistance movement claimed it was illegitimate even before the war, since it descended from the dictatorship of General [[Ioannis Metaxas]] from [[1936]] to [[1941]]. On the other hand, its inability to influence the events in Greece rendered it irrelevant in the minds of most Greek people. The Germans set up a collaborationist government in [[Athens]], but this government too lacked legitimacy and support, particularly once German economic exploitation of Greece created runaway inflation, acute shortages and eventually famine among the Greek civilian population. Some officers of the pre-War Greek regime served the Germans in various posts. During the war, this government created paramilitary forces armed by the Germans. These forces (whose maximum number was about 14.000 men in 1944) were never used against the allies but only against the pro-communist guerillas.