The History
of Cyprus from 1878 to 1959
The island's British administration which began in
1878 proved an important influence on the history
of Cyprus until its independence in 1960.
1878: Because a victory by Russia in the Russo/Turkish
war of 1877-1878 would directly threaten British economic
interests, namely the newly built Suez canal, Great
Britain in agreement with Turkey, takes
control of Cyprus, effectively 'renting' the island
for an annual payment of around £92.000.
1878 - 1914: Although still 'technically' under Turkish
rule, the Cypriot legal and governmental systems are
dramatically re-structured by the British High Commissioner
and his staff. On more than one occasion, these policy
reforms cause varying degrees of outrage with the
island's Turkish population.
1914: Turkey allies itself with the Austro/Hungarian
empire at the start of World War This action causes
Britain to nullify the treaty governing its administration
of Cyprus. The island is officially annexed by the
British Empire and is now wholly under the crown's
rule.
1925: After Turkey finally relinquishes all claims
to Cyprus in the treaty of Lausanne (1923), Cyprus
officially becomes a British Crown colony.
1939 - 1945: During the war, Cyprus is of varying
strategic importance. Cypriot volunteers fight alongside
British troops in the allied armed forces. At the
end of the war, implied promises concerning Cypriot
independence in return for allegiance during the conflict
are denied by the British, causing much resentment
with the local populace.
1954: Great Britain once again refuses to grant independence
to Cyprus. Calls on the United Nations to intervene
are ignored.
1955: At the end of the year, EOKA (The National
Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) commences a bloody
terrorist campaign against the British and a general
state of emergency is declared on the island.
1959: On February 19th of this year, the London Agreement
is signed by British, Greek, Turkish and Cypriot leaders,
finally guaranteeing independence for Cyprus. The
official state of emergency is finally ended on Christmas
Eve.
1960: With the declaration of Archbishop Makarios
the 3rd as president, August 16th of this year finally
sees Cypriot independence. Britain, Greece and Turkey
all station troops on the island to ensure its continuing
independence. |
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Cyprus
History since 1960
Following Cypriot independence, the British Sovereign
Base areas of Akrotiri and Dekhelia remain
under complete British control.
1960: Cyprus joins the
U.N. on September 20th
1963: On December
21st, inter-communal violence errupts and Turkish
Cypriots are forced to retreat into enclaves. Turkish
troops move to restore order under provisions of the
London Agreement on December 24th.
1964: The United Nations Security Council establishes UNFICYP (United
Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) on March 4th. On March 27th,
an UNFICYP task force, originally consisting of Irish, Swedish and
Canadian troops arrives in Cyprus.
1974: This was to be the year when the modern history of Cyprus would change
the face of the island.
A military coup on July 15th
forces president Makarios into exile. EOKA leader
Nikos Sampson is set up as new leader and declares
a union with Greece. Turkish forces invade the island
on July 20th and take control of the Turkish enclaves
and surrounding areas. At a meeting of Greek, Turkish
and British representatives on July 30th a cease-fire is declared.
After Greece refuses Turkish demands for a divided
Cyprus, Turkey launches a second invasion on August
13th and occupies around 40% of the island. Rauf Denktash
is declared leader of Turkish Cyprus. On August 16th,
UNFICYP troops establish the 'Green Line' buffer zone
between Turkish and Greek territories.
1975: On February 13th, the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus
is established. (To the present day, this state is
only recognised by Turkey) Since the airport at Nicosia is now under
UNFICYP control, an airport is constructed by Greek Cypriots at Larnaca and attempts are made to restore the now non-existent
tourist industry with an extensive hotel building programme.
With the lines between Greek
and Turkish Cyprus now clearly drawn, Archbishop Makarios is restored
to his presidency on December 7th.
1983: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is unilaterally
proclaimed by Turkey on November 15th. There is still
no international recognition for this Republic and
UN sponsored talks end in stalemate shortly afterwards.
2004: After some years as an affiliate member of the European Union,
Greek Cyprus finally attains full member status on May 1st. Turkish
Cyprus is still internationally unrecognised.
2007: The history of Cyprus takes another turn as talks are held
to negotiate an E.U. controlled re-opening of Famagusta
port in trade for the return of the town of Varosha
to the Republic of Cyprus.
2008: The Republic has officially adopted the Euro as the currency of Cyprus and thus taken another step to full integration into the European Union and its laws. At this stage, all EU laws were due to come into full force by May 1st 2009, but , in true Cypriot style, the Republic is running predictably late. |
