The Noemvriana marked the apex of Greece's National Schism, directly precipitating King Constantine I's abdication and Greece's entry into World War I on the Allied side.
Key Facts
- Date of Allied landing
- 1 December 1916 (O.S. 18 November)
- Cause of tension
- Surrender of fortress Roupel to Bulgarian forces, May 1916
- Duration of riots
- Three days after Allied evacuation
- Outcome for king
- Constantine I abdicated June 1917
- Allied measure post-event
- Naval blockade imposed on royalist areas
- Result for Greece
- Greece joined Allies in WWI under Venizelos
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Disputes over Greek neutrality in World War I intensified after the surrender of fortress Roupel to Bulgarian forces in May 1916. Allied concerns about a secret Greek-Central Powers alignment, combined with the failure of diplomatic negotiations between King Constantine I and the Allies, led to a Venizelist military coup in Thessaloniki and the establishment of a rival provisional government, deepening the National Schism.
On 1 December 1916, Allied forces landed a small contingent in Athens to compel the Greek government to surrender war materials, but met with organized armed resistance from royalist troops. A temporary compromise ended the confrontation, but the following day royalist mobs rioted for three days, targeting supporters of Venizelos. This episode became known as the Noemvriana, named for the Old Style calendar date.
The Noemvriana prompted the Allies to impose a naval blockade on royalist Greece, causing severe food shortages in Athens. Under mounting pressure, King Constantine I abdicated in June 1917 and was succeeded by his son Alexander. Greece unified under Venizelos and joined the Allies, contributing to the liberation of Serbia and the defeat of the Central Powers on the Macedonian front by 1918.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Eleftherios Venizelos.
Side B
1 belligerent
King Constantine I.