The aim of this study is to investigate Greek anti-Semitism and anti-communism during the interwar period in Greece. More specifically, this study focuses on the activity of the “National Union Hellas” organization (N.U.H.) or more widely known as Tria Epsilon (3E) since 1927, when it was founded in Thessaloniki, until 1933 – 1934. It examines the political, social and economic development of the organization, while emphasizing the relationship it has developed with the state. This is a historical research, which is based mainly on archive material (Dimitris Sfaelos Archive, Philippos Dragoumis Archive, Foreign Office). Through the processing of the above material this study tries to answer the following questions: 1) What was the ideological position of the organization 2) What role of the state in the creation and expansion of the N.U.H. 3) What are the relations of the members of the organization among them, especially after the decision to turn the organization into a party as well as 4) What was the role of the members of the organization in the formation of the Common Front.
The main conclusions of this survey are that the N.U.H. was a nationalist, anti-communist and anti-Semitic organization. Its ideological position was expressed through both proclamations and aggressive acts against the left and the Jews. Two events were key points in the course and action of the organization: the arson, in 1931, of Campbell’s Jewish Quarter in Thessaloniki and the “descent” of the members of the N.U.E. in Athens in 1933, in order to gather all its members and to commemorate the monument of the Unknown Soldier. However, the anti-Semitic character of the organization was clearly expressed only in Campbell’s arson. Since then, the organization’s attitude towards the Greek Jews has been accompanied and associated with the anti-communist rhetoric. The descent in Athens was a turning point for the organization, as it was the beginning of its dissolution. The transformation of the organization into a party, immediately after the descent in Athens, was one of the main reasons for the division of the N.U.E. as it brought to light the personal ambitions of its leading members, while at the same time highlighting their different political positions. In the specific political context of inter-war Greece and under the burden of the social problems of the time, the organization eventually broke down and could not translate any repercussions on the public as electoral power.