British Colonial Period
From 1878 to 1960, Cyprus was administered by Britain, first as a protectorate, then as a formally annexed territory, and finally as a Crown Colony from 1925. This period saw the rise of competing Greek Cypriot demands for enosis (union with Greece) and Turkish Cypriot calls for taksim (partition), both shaped by British colonial policies that reinforced communal divisions through separate institutions, education systems, and administrative structures.
British colonial administration reinforced communal divisions through census categories, separate educational systems (Greek Cypriot schools used curricula from Athens, Turkish Cypriot schools used curricula from Ankara), separate courts for religious matters, and administrative structures that treated communities as distinct ethnic groups. This followed established British colonial practice also employed in Palestine, Malaya, and India.
The Convention Concerning the Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations is signed at Lausanne, mandating a compulsory exchange of approximately 1.2 million Greek Orthodox from Turkey and 350,000-400,000 Muslims from Greece. Cyprus, as a British colony, is excluded from the compulsory exchange, though approximately 4,000-8,500 Cypriot Muslims voluntarily emigrate to Turkey under Article 21's nationality option clause. The fate of expelled populations reinforces what scholar Niyazi Kizilyurek termed the 'Cretan syndrome' among Turkish Cypriots — a fear of sharing the fate of Cretan Muslims, who were expelled after Crete's union with Greece — which becomes a driving factor in Turkish Cypriot opposition to enosis.
British administrative reports, census documents, and local council records increasingly use 'Turkish Cypriot' and 'Greek Cypriot' labels, moving away from Ottoman-era 'Muslims of Cyprus' terminology. This period also sees growing influence of Kemalist Turkish nationalism among the Muslim community of Cyprus.
Greek Cypriot Uprising Burns Government House
Greek Cypriot uprising erupts in Nicosia after members of the Legislative Council resign in protest over new taxation laws imposed by the British colonial government. Approximately 5,000 Greek Cypriots rally and storm Government House, setting it on fire. The uprising spreads to Larnaca, Famagusta, Kyrenia, Limassol, and Paphos before being suppressed by British forces in early November. According to varying sources, between 7 and 18 people were killed, and approximately 2,600 were convicted of seditious activities. British authorities deport uprising leaders including Bishops Nicodemus Mylonas and Makarios Myriantheas.
Britain offers to form a Consultative Assembly to discuss a new constitution and announces a ten-year economic development plan. Greek Cypriots reject the offer, with the Church expressing disapproval and Greek Cypriot representatives declining to participate, stating that enosis was their sole political aim.
King Paul of Greece declares via The New York Times that 'Cyprus desires union with Greece,' internationalizing the Greek Cypriot cause. The Greek government reportedly had not been informed of Paul's statement in advance but accepted the public's approval, making enosis an official Greek royal position.
Unofficial Enosis Referendum Records 96% Approval
After Britain's refusal, the Church Council and enosis organizations conduct an unofficial referendum. Only Greek Cypriots participate, with 95.71% approving union with Greece out of approximately 224,000 signatories, organized at churches across the island. Turkish Cypriots do not participate, and, supported by Turkish mainland organizations, denounce the referendum as illegitimate. The results are formally submitted to the United Nations.
Makarios III Elected Archbishop and Ethnarch
Makarios III elected Archbishop of Cyprus following the death of Makarios II on 20 August 1950, becoming both head of the Orthodox Church and Ethnarch (de facto national leader) of the Greek Cypriot community. At 37, he was the youngest Archbishop in centuries and brought a more politically active approach to the enosis cause, prioritizing international diplomacy and the UN appeal for self-determination. Turkish Cypriots viewed his election with concern, given his explicit commitment to enosis.
Turkish Cypriot opposition to enosis intensifies, with growing support for partition (taksim) as a counter-position. Turkey becomes increasingly involved in supporting the Turkish Cypriot community, sending military advisors who arrive covertly to help organize self-defense capabilities. New educational materials promote Turkish national identity. Both Turkish Cypriot grassroots activism and Turkish state support contribute to the consolidation of a distinct political movement.
Turkish mainland institutions become active on the Cyprus issue, including the National Federation of Students, Committee for Defence of Turkish Rights in Cyprus, and the Cyprus Turkish Association. Turkish Cypriot leader Dr. Fazil Kucuk voices Turkish Cypriot anxiety about the community's future, reflecting widespread fear that British withdrawal could lead to forced union with Greece.
UN General Assembly decides 'not to consider the problem further,' disappointing Greek hopes for international support for Cyprus self-determination. Greek Cypriots stage a general strike and clash with British troops on December 18-19, resulting in injuries to 37 people in what is described as the worst rioting in Cyprus since 1931.