The road to 1974: Cyprus’ quest for Union with Greece

This article is the first in a series marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus on July 20, 1974.

The British flag is raised at the Metohi of Agios Prokopios in July 1878, as British rule in Cyprus began

Cyprus’ quest for Union (or Enosis) with independent Greece erupted into violence on 21 October 1931.

Greek-Cypriot deputies in a purely decorative colonial legislative chamber resigned in protest against British governor Ronald Storrs’ refusal to convey a request for Enosis to London. That sparked a popular uprising, which over the next few days burned the governor’s house.

Britain had acquired control of Cyprus as a protectorate in 1878 through the Cyprus Convention with the Ottoman Empire, whereby the Sultan ceded its use as a naval base against possible Russian attacks. When Britain went to war with Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire in 1914, it annexed and occupied Cyprus, and named it a colony in 1925.