The British took over Cyprus in 1878, when the island came under British control as a protectorate. Cyprus was later proclaimed a British crown colony on March 10, 1925.
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The British took over Cyprus in 1878, after the Ottoman Empire had ruled the island for more than 300 years. Initially, Cyprus was administered as a British protectorate until it was annexed by Britain in 1914. However, it remained nominally under Ottoman sovereignty until 1925 when it became a Crown colony.
The British rule over Cyprus lasted until 1960 when Cyprus gained its independence from Britain and became the Republic of Cyprus. Archbishop Makarios III was elected as the first president of independent Cyprus.
Despite the independence, Britain retained control over two sovereign base areas at Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The conflict between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority, coupled with the invasion of the island by Turkish troops in 1974, led to an actual partition of the island, which remains in place to this day.
Here’s a table summarizing the key events related to the British rule over Cyprus:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1878 | Cyprus becomes a British protectorate |
| 1914 | Cyprus is annexed by Britain |
| 1925 | Cyprus becomes a Crown colony |
| 1960 | Cyprus gains independence from Britain |
| 1974 | Turkish troops invade Cyprus, leading to a partition |
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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. Turkey formally recognized this annexation with the signing of the Peace Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.
The United Kingdom granted independence to Cyprus on 16 August 1960 and formed the Republic of Cyprus. Archbishop Makarios III, a charismatic religious and political leader, was elected as the first president of independent Cyprus.
British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administered sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, a unilaterally annexed military occupation from 1914 to 1925 and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony. Who colonized Cyprus? Cyprus was subsequently colonised by the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Persians. In the 4th century BC Alexander the Great claimed the island, which remained part of the Greek-Egyptian kingdom until 30 BC, when the Romans arrived and Cyprus became a senatorial province.
British Cyprus (1914–60) Cyprus’ status as a protectorate of the British Empire ended in 1914 when the Ottoman Empire declared war against the Triple Entente powers, which included Great Britain. Cyprus was then annexed by the British Empire on 5 November 1914. Why is Cyprus important to the UK? Britain promised to use Cyprus as a base to protect the Ottoman Empire from Russia, according to the secret Cyprus Convention agreement. The island served Britain as a key military base protecting the Suez Canal and especially the sea route to British India, which was then Britain’s most important overseas possession.
A brief history of the British period of Cyprus. Includes links to places to visit and things to do in North Cyprus. A history of Cyprus and a 15 day weather forecast for seven main towns in North Cyprus. Features a what’s on listing of upcoming events. … Three years later another crisis caused by Russian ambitions over the disintegrating Ottoman Empire was defused, and the British prime minister began to show signs of distinctly predatory interest in the area nearest to the Suez Canal. During these negotiations in 1878 Cyprus was acquired by Britain in order to assist the Ottoman Empire.
Riots broke out in 1931 over the imposition of certain taxes. This would result in the death of six civilians and the burning down of the British Government house in Nicosia. The constitution would be suspended as a result and direct rule imposed. … The island took on a new strategic importance for the British after Egypt became independent in 1952. Cyprus’ strategic situation near to an increasingly volatile Middle East and not far from the Suez Canal shipping lanes. … The British responded in November of that year by declaring a State of Emergency. … The British military presence did remain though and this has continued right up to the present day.
Under British rule in the early 20th century, Cyprus escaped the conflicts and atrocities that went on elsewhere between Greeks and Turks; notably the Greek Genocide, during the Greco-Turkish War, and the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey. … In 1946, the British government announced plans to invite Cypriots to form a Consultative Assembly to discuss a new constitution. … When he did eventually return to the table, the Turkish Cypriot leader complained that the proposals failed to recognise his community. In November, Ghali brought the talks to a halt. … The situation took another turn for the worse at the start of 1997 when the Greek Cypriots announced that they intended to purchase the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile system.
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What year did Cyprus become a British colony?
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. 1925 – Becomes British colony. 1955 – Greek Cypriots begin guerrilla war against British rule in pursuit of unification with Greece.
Consequently: what happened to Cyprus? British flag raised in Nicosia … and administration of Cyprus passes from Ottomans to the British. In 1878 the West returned when Britain took over Cyprus with the agreement of the Ottoman government. At first protectorate, the island was annexed by Britain on the outbreak of war with the Ottoman Empire in 1914, becoming a Crown Colony in 1925.
Why did Britain cede Cyprus to Greece?
During the course of the First World War Britain offered to cede Cyprus to Greece if they would fulfill treaty obligations to attack Bulgaria, but Greece declined. Britain proclaimed Cyprus the Crown colony of British Cyprus in 1925, under an undemocratic constitution. A Cypriot demonstration in the 1930s in favour of Enosis.
Why was Cyprus annexed?
At first protectorate, the island was annexed by Britain on the outbreak of war with the Ottoman Empire in 1914, becoming a Crown Colony in 1925. One of the reasons for occupying Cyprus was to protect the Ottoman Sultan against Russia, but its more obvious, if unmentioned role, was defence of the Suez Canal,…
Also question is: is Cyprus still under British rule? 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.
Why did Britain take over Cyprus in 1878?The Cyprus Convention of 1878 between Britain and Turkey provided that Cyprus, while remaining under Turkish sovereignty, should be administered by the British government. Britain’s aim in occupying Cyprus was to secure a base in the eastern Mediterranean for possible operations in the Caucasus or Mesopotamia.
How long did British 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.
Similarly one may ask: why did Britain take over Cyprus? The island would serve Britain as a key military base for its colonial routes. By 1906, when the Famagusta harbour was completed, Cyprus was a strategic naval outpost overlooking the Suez Canal. This was the crucial main route to India which, at the time, was Britain’s most important overseas possession.
Is Cyprus Greek or Turkish?
The Turkish Cypriots are mainly Moslems and the Greek Cypriots are mainly adherents of the Greek Orthodox Church. Cyprus lies 40 miles from the coast of Turkey, and Turkish people have inhabited the island since the 12th century.