Cyprus was a British colony from 1878 to 1960.
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Cyprus was a British colony for over eight decades, from 1878 to 1960. During this period, Cyprus was governed by a British High Commissioner and had a colonial administration system with a governor, executive and legislative councils. After the island was ceded to the British by the Ottoman Empire, it experienced significant economic, social and political change.
One of the most important changes was the introduction of the potato, which became a major crop and is still a key part of Cypriot cuisine today. Additionally, during World War II, the British built airbases on Cyprus and used the island as a strategic location for their campaigns in Africa and the Middle East. This led to a surge in economic growth and development on the island.
However, the British colonial period was not without controversy. The Cypriot population was initially resistant to British rule, leading to the EOKA insurgency in the 1950s, which sought the island’s independence from British rule. Despite this, the British continued to hold on to Cyprus until it became an independent republic in 1960.
As for the impact of British colonialism on Cyprus, the historian C.M. Woodhouse once wrote, “In its 82 years of colonial rule, ‘justice, order, trade and commerce’ were the watchwords of administration; without doubt, the island was more prosperous and civilized at the end of that period than it had been at the beginning.”
Here is a table summarizing some key events during Cyprus’ time as a British colony:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1878 | Cyprus is ceded to Britain by the Ottoman Empire |
| 1925 | British pound becomes official currency |
| 1940s | British build airbases on Cyprus, leading to economic growth |
| 1950s | EOKA insurgency seeks independence from British rule |
| 1960 | Cyprus becomes an independent republic |
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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.
Response video to “When was Cyprus a British colony?”
Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
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Correspondingly, When did Cyprus leave the British Empire? Independence. On August 16, 1960 Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom, after the long anti-British campaign by the Greek Cypriot EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters), a guerrilla group which desired political union with Greece, or enosis.
Likewise, Does Britain still own part of Cyprus?
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 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.
Accordingly, What was Cyprus before the British? Answer will be: Cyprus remained under Ottoman rule until the arrival of the British in 1878. Cyprus gained independence from Britain in 1960, but with one of the world’s most complicated constitutions as its foundation with the UK, Greece and Turkey as guarantor powers, the new republic soon encountered difficulties.