Constantine I of Greece

thumb| [...] when it is a question of foreign affairs, great international questions, I think that so long as I believe a thing is right or not right, I must insist upon its being done or not being done, because I am responsible before God. Constantine I (2 August 1868 21 July – 11 January 1923) was King of Greece from 18 March 1913 to 11 June 1917 and again from 19 December 1920 to 27 September 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece expanded to include Thessaloniki, doubling in area and population. The eldest son of George I of Greece, he succeeded to the throne following his father's assassination in 1913. He is known for the polarized disagreements with Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos that cumulated to the National Schism. Quotes [...] when it is a question of foreign affairs, great international questions, I think that so long as I believe a thing is right or not right, I must insist upon its being done or not being done, because I am responsible before God. Constantine responding to Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos regarding the foreign policy of Greece in its entry in the World War I Koliopoulos John S. :w: John S. Koliopoulos Veremis Thanos M. :w:el: Θάνος Βερέμης Modern Greece A History Since 1821 2009 Wiley-Blackwell Oxford en 9781444314830 https://books.google.com/books?id=qumwwKbI0TQC 185 When he is with me, I confess that his arguments are so convincing that I quickly begin to imagine that they are my own. King Constantine reported to have said this for Venizelos. Chester S. M. Life of Venizelos, with a letter from His Excellency M. Venizelos Constable 1921 London http://www.archive.org/download/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft.pdf 6 The Emperor knows that my personal sympathies and my political opinions draw me to his side [...] After deep reflection it is, however, impossible for me to see how I could be of service to him by mobilizing at once my Army [...] I am forced to think that neutrality is imposed on us which may be useful to him, and I assure him that I will not touch any of my neighbours who are his friends, as long as they do not touch our local Balkan interests. [...] What I ask for to-day is to put into execution that which we have so often discussed together. Chester S. M. Life of Venizelos, with a letter from His Excellency M. Venizelos Constable 1921 London http://www.archive.org/download/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft.pdf 29 Quotes about Constantinos must go, for he has betrayed Greece. But why should his son suffer for the folly of his father? The Crown Prince shares his father's guilt, but his younger sons are only boys, and they can be trained to become worthy Kings of Greece. It is only on condition that you preserve the dynasty that shall consent to return to Athens. Eleftherios Venizelos on the king's abdication. Chester S. M. Life of Venizelos, with a letter from His Excellency M. Venizelos Constable 1921 London http://www.archive.org/download/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft/lifeofvenizelosw00chesuoft.pdf 180 External links Constantine I of Greece Category:1868 births Category:1923 deaths Category:Monarchs from Greece Category:People from Athens Category:Military leaders from Greece