Theodoros Pangalos: Difference between revisions
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'''Theodoros Pangalos''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] '''Θεόδωρος Π&# |
'''Theodoros Pangalos''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] '''Θεόδωρος Πάγκαλος'''). Born 1878 ([[Salamina]], [[Greece]]); died [[1952]] ([[Athens]], Greece). [[Greek]] general who briefly ruled the country in [[1925]] and [[1926]]. |
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== Early Career == |
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Pangalos graduated first in his class from the [[Scholi Evelpidon]] Military Academy in 1900, and continued his studies in [[Paris]], [[France]]. In [[1916]] he supported [[Eleftherios Venizelos]] in his struggle against [[Constantine I of Greece]], and was rewarded with a senior position in the War Ministry. He was demoted after Constantine returned to power in [[1920]]; in [[1923]] Pangalos supported the [[coup d'etat]] by [[Nikolaos Plastiras]] which abolished the monarchy and declared the [[1st Hellenic Republic]]. His first job was to prosecute a number of prominent pro-monarchists in a [[kangaroo court]] that resulted in 6 executions; he then rushed to [[Thessaloniki]], where he reorganized the Greek army in [[Macedonia]] and [[Thrace]], where a [[Turkey|Turkish]] attack was feared to be imminent. |
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A staunch nationalist, Pangalos objected to the terms of the [[Treaty of Lausanne]], and declared that his troops would attack Turkey in order to block the deal. He was forced to resign, but his stance made him popular with the many segments of Greek society that objected to the treaty. During the period of political instability that followed, Pangalos jumped into the fray, gaining and losing a number of ministerial positions as governments came and went. |
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== In Power == |
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On [[June 24]], [[1925]], officers loyal to Pangalos, fearing that the political instability was putting the country at risk, overthrew the government in a coup. Pangalos immediately abolished the republic and began to prosecute anyone who could possibly challenge his authority, including his old boss, Plastiras. [[Freedom of the press]] was abolished, and a number of repressive laws were enacted (including a law dictating the length of women's skirts - no more than 30cm above the ground). |
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Soon, many of the officers that had helped him come to power decided that he had to be removed. On [[26 August]], [[1926]], a counter-coup deposed him and [[Pavlos Koundouriotis]] became President. |
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== After his rule == |
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Pangalos remained in prison for 2 years and was released during a period when a number of amnesties were given by Venizelos. He never regained the popular support he had before the coup, and never again played a role in Greek politics. He unsuccessfully run for parliament in 1950 (on a nationalist/anti-communist platform) and died 2 years later. |
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His grandson, also named [[Theodoros Pangalos (PASOK MP)|Theodoros Pangalos]], is currently a member of the Greek parliament and a former minister of Foreign Affairs. Ironically, he is a member of the [[PASOK]] socialist party. |
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Revision as of 20:46, 3 June 2005
Theodoros Pangalos (Greek Θεόδωρος Πάγκαλος). Born 1878 (Salamina, Greece); died 1952 (Athens, Greece). Greek general who briefly ruled the country in 1925 and 1926.
Early Career
Pangalos graduated first in his class from the Scholi Evelpidon Military Academy in 1900, and continued his studies in Paris, France. In 1916 he supported Eleftherios Venizelos in his struggle against Constantine I of Greece, and was rewarded with a senior position in the War Ministry. He was demoted after Constantine returned to power in 1920; in 1923 Pangalos supported the coup d'etat by Nikolaos Plastiras which abolished the monarchy and declared the 1st Hellenic Republic. His first job was to prosecute a number of prominent pro-monarchists in a kangaroo court that resulted in 6 executions; he then rushed to Thessaloniki, where he reorganized the Greek army in Macedonia and Thrace, where a Turkish attack was feared to be imminent.
A staunch nationalist, Pangalos objected to the terms of the Treaty of Lausanne, and declared that his troops would attack Turkey in order to block the deal. He was forced to resign, but his stance made him popular with the many segments of Greek society that objected to the treaty. During the period of political instability that followed, Pangalos jumped into the fray, gaining and losing a number of ministerial positions as governments came and went.
In Power
On June 24, 1925, officers loyal to Pangalos, fearing that the political instability was putting the country at risk, overthrew the government in a coup. Pangalos immediately abolished the republic and began to prosecute anyone who could possibly challenge his authority, including his old boss, Plastiras. Freedom of the press was abolished, and a number of repressive laws were enacted (including a law dictating the length of women's skirts - no more than 30cm above the ground).
Soon, many of the officers that had helped him come to power decided that he had to be removed. On 26 August, 1926, a counter-coup deposed him and Pavlos Koundouriotis became President.
After his rule
Pangalos remained in prison for 2 years and was released during a period when a number of amnesties were given by Venizelos. He never regained the popular support he had before the coup, and never again played a role in Greek politics. He unsuccessfully run for parliament in 1950 (on a nationalist/anti-communist platform) and died 2 years later.
His grandson, also named Theodoros Pangalos, is currently a member of the Greek parliament and a former minister of Foreign Affairs. Ironically, he is a member of the PASOK socialist party.