A Brief History of Cyprus
Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, has a rich and diverse history shaped by its strategic location. Here is a concise overview of its key historical periods:
Key Dates and Events in Cyprus Over the Last Two Centuries
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1878 | Cyprus is leased to the British Empire by the Ottoman Empire. This marked the beginning of British administration in Cyprus. |
| 1914 | Cyprus is annexed by the British Empire at the start of World War I. |
| 1925 | Cyprus becomes a Crown Colony of the British Empire. |
| 1950 | The Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church holds a referendum favoring union with Greece (Enosis). |
| 1955-1959 | The EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters) launches an armed struggle against British rule, seeking Enosis. |
| 1959 | The Zurich and London Agreements are signed, laying the groundwork for Cypriot independence. |
| 1960 | Cyprus gains independence from Britain on August 16, with Archbishop Makarios III becoming the first President. The constitution establishes a power-sharing government between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. |
| 1963-1964 | Intercommunal violence erupts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) is established. |
| 1974 | A coup d’état by Greek Cypriot nationalists favoring Enosis triggers a Turkish military intervention. This results in the division of the island into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north. |
| 1983 | The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is declared in the northern part of the island but is recognized only by Turkey. |
| 2004 | Cyprus joins the European Union on May 1. A United Nations plan for reunification (the Annan Plan) is rejected by Greek Cypriots in a referendum. |
| 2008 | The Euro becomes the official currency of the Republic of Cyprus, replacing the Cypriot pound. |
| 2013 | Cyprus experiences a severe financial crisis, leading to an international bailout. |
| 2017 | Reunification talks in Switzerland between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders fail to reach an agreement. |
| 2020 | Renewed efforts and discussions are initiated by the United Nations to resolve the Cyprus dispute. |
A Full History of the Conflict Involving Cyprus, Turkey, and Britain
Ottoman and British Periods
Ottoman Rule (1571-1878): Cyprus was part of the Ottoman Empire, which introduced significant demographic and administrative changes. The Ottomans implemented a system of religious tolerance, allowing the Greek Orthodox Church to regain influence.
British Administration Begins (1878): The Ottoman Empire leased Cyprus to the British Empire following the Congress of Berlin. The British sought to use Cyprus as a strategic military base.
Formal Annexation (1914): With the onset of World War I, Britain formally annexed Cyprus after the Ottomans sided with the Central Powers. In 1925, Cyprus was declared a British Crown Colony.
Early 20th Century and the Rise of Nationalism
Greek Cypriot Nationalism and Enosis: In the early 20th century, Greek Cypriot nationalism grew, with increasing calls for Enosis (union with Greece). This movement was driven by the Greek Orthodox Church and other nationalist groups.
1950 Enosis Referendum: The Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus held a referendum in which 95.7% of Greek Cypriots voted for Enosis. However, this did not lead to any political change.
EOKA and the Struggle for Independence
EOKA Campaign (1955-1959): The National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA), led by Georgios Grivas, launched an armed campaign against British rule in 1955, aiming for Enosis. The British responded with a military presence and declared a state of emergency.
Zurich and London Agreements (1959): The conflict led to negotiations involving Britain, Greece, and Turkey. The Zurich and London Agreements established the framework for an independent Cyprus, with a power-sharing constitution between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Independence and Intercommunal Conflict
Independence (1960): Cyprus gained independence on August 16, 1960. Archbishop Makarios III became the first President, and a power-sharing government was established with Vice President Fazıl Küçük representing the Turkish Cypriots.
Constitutional Issues and Violence (1963-1964): Disputes over constitutional amendments proposed by Makarios led to intercommunal violence. Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government, and the UN established the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) to maintain peace.
Coup and Turkish Invasion
1974 Coup and Turkish Invasion: In July 1974, a coup d’état orchestrated by the Greek military junta and EOKA B aimed to achieve Enosis. In response, Turkey launched a military invasion on July 20, 1974, citing its rights as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots.
Division of the Island: The Turkish invasion led to the occupation of approximately 37% of the island. The conflict resulted in significant displacement, with thousands of Greek Cypriots fleeing the north and Turkish Cypriots moving to the north.
Post-1974 Developments and Declarations
Declaration of TRNC (1983): On November 15, 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared in the northern part of the island. The TRNC is recognized only by Turkey, while the Republic of Cyprus remains the internationally recognized government.
UN Peace Efforts: Numerous United Nations-led initiatives have attempted to reunify the island, including the Annan Plan in 2004, which was accepted by Turkish Cypriots but rejected by Greek Cypriots in separate referenda.
Cyprus in the European Union
EU Accession (2004): The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union on May 1, 2004. Although EU laws are suspended in the northern part of the island, EU membership has brought economic benefits and greater political stability to the south.
Ongoing Reunification Talks: Efforts to reunify the island continue, with periodic negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, facilitated by the UN. These talks have yet to yield a final resolution to the conflict.
Key Statistics of the Cyprus Conflict
36.2% – The percentage of the sovereign territory of Cyprus that is still under Turkish military occupation since 1974.
200,000+ – The estimated number of Greek Cypriots displaced from the northern part of Cyprus following the Turkish invasion in 1974.
~37% – The proportion of the island’s population that was displaced due to the conflict.
1,619 – The number of people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who are still listed as missing as a result of the 1974 conflict.
58,000 – The estimated number of Turkish Cypriots who were relocated to the northern part of the island during and after the 1974 conflict.
30,000 – The number of Turkish troops currently stationed in the northern part of Cyprus.
1974 – The year the Turkish invasion took place, leading to the division of the island.
1983 – The year the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was declared, recognized only by Turkey.
1,000+ – The number of United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) personnel currently stationed on the island to maintain peace and security.
5 – The number of main guarantor countries involved in the Cyprus issue – Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations.
2004 – The year the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union, while EU law is suspended in the northern part of the island.
95.7% –The percentage of Greek Cypriots who voted in favor of Enosis (union with Greece) in a 1950 referendum organized by the Greek Orthodox Church.
8,500 – The estimated number of British military personnel and their families stationed at the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) in Cyprus, which comprise approximately 3% of the island’s territory.
2 – The number of British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, namely Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Useful words and phrases in Greek
| Greek Word | English Translation | Russian Translation |
|---|---|---|
| πόλεμος | War | Война |
| σύγκρουση | Conflict | Конфликт |
| μάχη | Battle | Битва |
| ειρήνη | Peace | Мир |
| ιστορία | History | История |
| αυτοκρατορία | Empire | Империя |
| ελευθερία | Freedom | Свобода |
| εθνικισμός | Nationalism | Национализм |
| αποικιοκρατία | Colonialism | Колониализм |
| εισβολή | Invasion | Вторжение |
| κατάκτηση | Conquest | Завоевание |
| επανάσταση | Revolution | Революция |
| αντίσταση | Resistance | Сопротивление |
| ανακωχή | Armistice | Перемирие |
| συνθήκη | Treaty | Договор |
| ανεξαρτησία | Independence | Независимость |
| συμμαχία | Alliance | Союз |
| κράτος | State | Государство |
| κυβέρνηση | Government | Правительство |
| δημοκρατία | Republic | Республика |
| δικτατορία | Dictatorship | Диктатура |
| βασιλεία | Monarchy | Монархия |
| ηγεσία | Leadership | Лидерство |
| προεδρία | Presidency | Президентство |
| κοινωνία | Society | Общество |
| οικονομία | Economy | Экономика |
| πολιτισμός | Culture | Культура |
| εκπαίδευση | Education | Образование |
| υγεία | Health | Здоровье |
| δικαιοσύνη | Justice | Правосудие |
| δικαιώματα | Rights | Права |
| εξουσία | Power | Власть |
| διπλωματία | Diplomacy | Дипломатия |
| στατιστικά | Statistics | Статистика |
| δεδομένα | Data | Данные |
| πληροφορίες | Information | Информация |
| χρονικό | Chronicle | Хроника |
| γεγονός | Event | Событие |
| κατάσταση | Situation | Ситуация |
| εξέλιξη | Development | Развитие |
| διάσκεψη | Conference | Конференция |
| ανακοίνωση | Announcement | Объявление |
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