Question

From the lecture the interwar period, please answer the following two questions:

What happened between the fall of 1935 and the spring of 1936
that opened-up the possibility for Metaxas to be selected as an interim prime minister?

Answer 1

Sure, here is a summary of the events that occurred between the fall of 1935 and the spring of 1936 that led to the appointment of Ioannis Metaxas as interim prime minister of Greece:

October 1935:

King George II appoints Konstantinos Demertzis as prime minister following a period of political instability.
November 1935:

General Georgios Kondylis stages a coup d'état and overthrows Demertzis, establishing a temporary military government.
January 1936:

Kondylis resigns as prime minister and is replaced by Ioannis Metaxas, a former military officer and politician.
February 1936:

Metaxas suspends the Greek Constitution and establishes a dictatorship, effectively consolidating his power.
These events created a climate of political chaos and uncertainty in Greece, which Metaxas exploited to seize power. His authoritarian tendencies and promise of stability appealed to many Greeks who were weary of the constant political turmoil.

Here are some additional factors that contributed to Metaxas' rise to power:

The rise of communism in Greece and the perceived threat it posed to stability.
The support of King George II, who saw Metaxas as a strong leader who could restore order.
Metaxas' own charisma and political skills, which he used to build a base of support among the Greek people.
Metaxas' dictatorship lasted until his death in 1941. His regime was characterized by its suppression of dissent, its promotion of Greek nationalism, and its close ties to Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

Answer 2

Between the fall of 1935 and the spring of 1936, Europe's shift towards authoritarianism and the threat from fascist policies led to the conditions that favored Ioannis Metaxas's selection as the interim Prime Minister of Greece.

Step-by-step explanation:

The period between the fall of 1935 and the spring of 1936 in Europe was marked by significant political changes and increasing authoritarian rule, which laid the groundwork for Ioannis Metaxas to be appointed as interim Prime Minister of Greece. The rise of fascism in Italy, Spain, and Germany during the 1930s led to disillusionment with democratic governance and a shift towards authoritarian leaders who could impose stronger control. Simultaneously, European states dealt with the threat of expansionist policies from leaders such as Adolf Hitler, which bolstered the justification for strong leadership within individual nations.