The National Liberation Front (E.A.M.)

The National Liberation Front (E.A.M.) emerged as an important resistance force during the period of German occupation in Greece. It was founded in 1941 by political and ideological groups such as the K.K.E., the S.K.E., the Agrarian Party and the E.L.D., with the aim of resisting the occupiers. In February 1942, the Hellenic People's Liberation Army (ELAS), the armed branch of EAM, was created and focused on waging guerrilla warfare against the German occupation forces. The action of the ELAS led to the liberation of certain areas, which were named "Free Greece".

The political organization of theHellenic People's Liberation Army was the Political Committee for National Liberation, which brought together the various political groups. After the expulsion of the occupying forces, the Political Committee was incorporated into the exiled Government of National Unity in Cairo. However, internal strife made the contrasts between the various political forces evident. The disagreements led to the resignation of the EAM ministers in December 1944. This led to an armed conflict between the E.L.A.S. and British and government forces, known as the Decembrance. After the defeat of the E.L.A.S., the disarmament of its members followed. After the war, the E.A.M. was accused of being an anti-national organization, and its members were subjected to political persecution. In 1982, the first government of Andreas Papandreou recognized the E.A.M. as a resistance organization, a move that provoked reactions from other political parties. Pictured: Girls of the E.A.M. parade in front of the Near East stadium on the main avenue of Kaisariani, 1944. Photo by V. Tsakirakis. ©Central Service of the General State Archives of Greece.