Die Geschichte Zyperns 1878 – 1979: Kolonialzeit, Unabhängigkeit und Teilung
The History of Cyprus 1878 - 1979: Colonial Times, Independence and Partition

Summary/Abstract: This article recounts over 100 years of modern Cypriot history, spanning from the onset of the British Colonial Period (1878 – 1960) to the forceful division of the island in 1974 and its immediate aftermath. It explores the perception among Greek Cypriots that London employed a “divide and rule” policy to navigate conflicting nationalisms during British colonial rule. The author posits that the intensity of this policy varied in response to challenges to British rule and should not be viewed as a meticulously planned long-term strategy, requiring a nuanced understanding of its implementation. The second part delves into the post-independence era, examining the breakdown of the constitutional order within three years. This led to a violent conflict involving Cypriot communities and their respective “mother countries,” with subsequent focus on why the Greek Cypriot side rejected the 1960 solution for an independent Cyprus and the failure to reach an agreement between 1963 and 1974. The narrative also delves into the events leading to the Greek Coup and the subsequent Turkish invasion of 1974.

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