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| 1935–47 |
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| GEORGE II, RESTORED. He insisted on a general amnesty (Dec. 1). | 1 |
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| 1936, Jan. 26 |
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| The elections were a victory for the Venizelists, who, however, failed to secure a majority. | 2 |
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| April 13 |
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| Gen. John Metaxas, premier. Paralyzed over its inability to establish a coalition government and divided over the reinstatement of Republican officers purged after the 1935 coup, parliament accepted Metaxas's proposal that it disband for five months. Legislative functions were transferred to a commission of 40 proportionately representing each party in Parliament. | 3 |
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| May 9 |
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| Demonstrations by tobacco workers in Salonica resulted in the deaths of 12 strikers. The Communists called for a 24-hour general strike on Aug. 5 to protest against proposed legislation to impose compulsory arbitration in labor disputes. Social unrest and political stalemate bolstered cries for strong government. | 4 |
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| Aug. 4 |
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| COUP D'ÉTAT OF METAXAS, who made himself dictator, proclaimed martial law, and dissolved the Parliament. Institution of a regime of rigid repression (parties abolished; censorship; persecution of opponents). The Metaxas regime rested squarely on the army, but real efforts were made to conciliate the population by wage increases, social security legislation, artificially low bread prices, and other measures, as well as by cancellation of agricultural debts. A huge public works program (especially rearmament) necessitated a substantial increase of taxation and domination of business by government. In foreign affairs Metaxas drew closer to Germany (barter agreements) but at the same time attempted to retain the goodwill of Britain and France. Relations with Turkey continued to be close. | 5 |
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