Founding of EAM and ELAS: What Happened
In September 1941, the Communist Party of Greece, together with several smaller left-wing parties, founded the National Liberation Front, known by its Greek initials EAM, to organize resistance against the Axis occupation. EAM grew rapidly into the largest resistance movement in Greece, attracting hundreds of thousands of members from many political backgrounds, including many who were not communists, with calls for national liberation and social change. In 1942, EAM created a military wing, the Greek People's Liberation Army, known as ELAS. Its best-known early leader was Aris Velouchiotis, who began armed operations in the mountains of central Greece. ELAS became the largest armed resistance force in the country, controlling large areas of mountainous Greece, known as Free Greece, where EAM set up its own local administration, courts and schools. It also clashed with rival resistance groups such as EDES. EAM and ELAS played a major role in resisting the occupation, but the communist leadership's plans for postwar Greece created deep divisions and led to conflict with the British and the Greek government, and eventually to civil war.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was EAM?
EAM, the National Liberation Front, was a resistance movement founded in September 1941 by the Communist Party of Greece and other left-wing parties.
What was ELAS?
ELAS, the Greek People's Liberation Army, was the military wing of EAM, created in 1942. It became the largest armed resistance force in Greece.
Who was Aris Velouchiotis?
Aris Velouchiotis was the best-known early leader of ELAS, who began armed operations in the mountains of central Greece.
What was Free Greece?
Free Greece was the name for the large mountainous areas controlled by ELAS, where EAM set up its own local administration, courts and schools.
How did EAM and ELAS lead to civil war?
EAM and ELAS clashed with rival resistance groups and later with the British and the Greek government, conflicts that led to the Dekemvriana and the Greek Civil War.
