History of the Republic of Cyprus - 1900s

By isabellekupka

  • Anexation to Britain

    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.
  • Period: to

    WWI

  • Becomes crown colony.

  • Period: to

    WWII

  • Stalin dies

  • Revolt against British Rule

    Greek Cypriots begin guerrilla war against British rule. The guerrilla movement, the National Organisation of Cypriot Combatants (EOKA), wants enosis (unification) with Greece. British authorities arm a paramilitary police force made up of Turkish Cypriots.

  • Archbishop Makarios, head of enosis campaign, deported to the Seychelles.

  • Fidel Castro takes over Cuba

  • Archbishop Makarios returns and is elected president.

  • Independence

    Cyprus gains independence after Greek and Turkish communities reach agreement on a constitution. Treaty of Guarantee gives Britain, Greece and Turkey the right to intervene. Britain retains sovereignty over two military bases.

  • Bay of Pigs

  • Period: to

    Cuban Missile Crisis

  • Makarios raises Turkish fears by proposing constitutional changes which would abrogate power-sharing arrangements. Inter-communal violence erupts. Turkish side withdraws from power-sharing.

    Makarios raises Turkish fears by proposing constitutional changes which would abrogate power-sharing arrangements. Inter-communal violence erupts. Turkish side withdraws from power-sharing.

  • UN Intervention

    United Nations peacekeeping force set up. Turkish Cypriots withdraw into defended enclaves.

  • Turkey takes action

    Military junta in Greece backs coup against Makarios, who escapes. Within days Turkish troops land in north. Greek Cypriots flee their homes.
    Turkish troops landed after a Greek-sponsored coup in Nicosia
    Coup collapses. Turkish forces occupy third of the island, enforce partition between north and south roughly along the "Green Line" ceasefire line drawn up by UN forces i

  • Turks establish independent administration

    Turkish Cypriots establish independent administration, with Rauf Denktash as president. Denktash and Clerides agree population exchange.