Yes, the British ruled Cyprus from 1878 until independence in 1960.
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Yes, the British did rule Cyprus from 1878 until independence in 1960. During this time, the British implemented various policies and changes that greatly impacted the history and development of the island nation.
One of the significant changes made by the British was the introduction of new laws and legal systems. They implemented English-style courts, police forces, and a professional civil service. The British also established new educational institutions, including the famous British colonial school, the English School in Nicosia.
The British also faced challenges during their rule, including the Cypriot EOKA insurgency between 1955 and 1959. The insurgency, led by Greek Cypriot nationalists, aimed to achieve Enosis, or the union of Cyprus with Greece. The British suppressed the insurgency and eventually granted Cyprus independence in 1960.
A well-known quote from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1939 reflects the British perspective on their rule of Cyprus: “Cyprus is the unsinkable aircraft carrier of the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Some interesting facts about British rule in Cyprus include:
- During World War II, Cyprus served as a major British military base and played a crucial role in the Allies’ war efforts.
- The British also took measures to change the demographics of the island, encouraging Turkish Cypriots to move to the north and Greek Cypriots to the south.
- In 1950, the British enacted a law that allowed for the partial deportation of Greek Cypriots suspected of being involved in the EOKA insurgency.
- The British pound remained the official currency of Cyprus until 1960, when the newly independent nation introduced its currency, the Cypriot pound.
Here is a table summarizing the timeline of British rule in Cyprus:
Year Event
1878 British Empire takes control of Cyprus
1914 Outbreak of World War I, Cyprus becomes a military base
1925 Cyprus becomes a Crown Colony
1955-1959 EOKA insurgency for Enosis
1956 British military bases established in Cyprus
1960 Cyprus gains independence
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Additional responses to your query
In 1878, Great Britain assumed the provisional administration of Cyprus. In 1914, when the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War, Cyprus was unilaterally annexed by Great Britain.
British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administrated sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, from 1914 to 1925 as a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.
Britain proclaimed Cyprus the Crown colony of British Cyprus in 1925, under an undemocratic constitution.
Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. The two countries now enjoy warm relations, however the continuing British sovereignty of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas has continued to divide Cypriots.
Cyprus became a British colony in 1878, after the Ottoman Empire ceded the island to the United Kingdom. Cyprus was formally annexed by the UK in 1914, and became a Crown colony in 1925.
Cyprus became independent after a guerrilla war against British rule. Archbishop Makarios was the first president 1914 – Cyprus annexed by Britain after more than 300 years of Ottoman rule. Britain had occupied the island in 1878, although it remained nominally under Ottoman sovereignty.
Cyprus was placed under the United Kingdom ‘s administration based on the Cyprus Convention in 1878 and was formally annexed by the UK in 1914.
In 1915, Cyprus was formally annexed into the British Empire after the Ottomans had entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers against the British, and it was initially governed by a military administration until 1925, when it was proclaimed the Crown Colony of Cyprus.
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How long did the UK rule Cyprus?
British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administrated sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, from 1914 to 1925 as a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.
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What part of Cyprus is still British?
The response is: Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Akrotiri and Dhekelia (/ˌækroʊˈtɪəri ənd diˈkeɪliə/), officially the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA), is a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus.
Why did the British want to colonize Cyprus?
The sultan ceded the administration of Cyprus to Britain in exchange for guarantees that Britain would use the island as a base to protect the Ottoman Empire against possible Russian aggression. The British had been offered Cyprus three times (in 1833, 1841, and 1845) before accepting it in 1878.
Why is Cyprus very British?
Response to this: Cyprus used to be a British Colony
From 1925 to 1960 Cyprus was a Crown colony and integrated into the British empire, following the London and Zurich Agreements of 19 February 1959. That’s why there are many British customs that are found on the island.
Who ruled Cyprus in 1878?
In 1878 the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, came under British control. Its population is made up of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot majority desired the removal of British rule and union with Greece, known as Enosis.
When did Cyprus become a British colony?
Response: British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administrated sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, from 1914 to 1925 as a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.
Why did the British occupy Cyprus in 1878?
Response will be: A British protectorate under nominal Ottoman suzerainty was established over Cyprus by the Cyprus Convention of 4 June 1878, following the Russo-Turkish War, in which the British occupied the island as a consequence of the Ottoman Empire ‘s actions throughout the duration of the war.
Why did Cyprus enter the Ottoman Empire?
The reply will be: The Cyprus Convention Cyprus entered the Empire under rather unusual circumstances in 1878. The Ottoman Empire had just been at war with Russia and were very much in danger of losing control of their capital Constantinople. The British intervened in the crisis on the side of the Ottoman Turks by sending a fleet to intimidate the Russians.
Who ruled Cyprus in 1878?
Response will be: In 1878 the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, came under British control. Its population is made up of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot majority desired the removal of British rule and union with Greece, known as Enosis.
When did Cyprus become a British colony?
Response: British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administrated sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, from 1914 to 1925 as a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.
Why did Britain renounce the Treaty of Cyprus?
Answer: When the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers, Britain renounced the Agreement, rejected all Turkish claims over Cyprus and declared the island a British colony. In 1915, Britain offered Cyprus to Constantine I of Greece on condition that Greece join the war on the side of the British, which he declined.
Why did Cyprus not join Greece?
Under British rule in the early 20th century, Cyprus escaped the conflicts and atrocities that went on elsewhere between Greeks and Turks during the Greco-Turkish War and the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriots consistently opposed the idea of union with Greece.