11. The Greek Military Junta’s Collapse (1974)
The Greek military junta’s unexpected collapse in 1974 was precipitated by a series of events that exposed the regime’s vulnerabilities. In July 1974, the junta orchestrated a coup in Cyprus, aiming to unite the island with Greece. This aggressive move prompted Turkey to invade Cyprus, leading to significant loss of life and displacement. The ensuing crisis eroded public support for the junta, culminating in its rapid downfall and the restoration of democracy in Greece (theguardian.com).



