Road to Independence
Cyprus is a young state. It is only 65 years old. Until 1960 the island belonged to Britain, and before that – to the Ottoman Empire. Independence was achieved with difficulty – and it did not come in quite the form people wanted.
The dream of union
After the Second World War, Greek Cypriots wanted one thing – enosis (ένωσις, “union”). Not independence, but specifically union with Greece. For them, Cyprus was part of the Greek world – in language, faith, and culture.
Britain refused. Turkey warned that union with Greece was a red line.
Peaceful petitions did not work. One path remained.
EOKA: guerrilla war
In 1955 EOKA (ΕΟΚΑ) appeared – Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston, “National Organization of Cypriot Fighters”).
| Founded | 1955 |
| Active | 1955–1959 |
| Goal | Expel the British, unite with Greece |
| Leader | Georgios Grivas (Γεώργιος Γρίβας) – colonel of the Greek army |
1 April 1955 – the beginning of armed struggle. Explosions in Nicosia, Famagusta, Larnaca, Limassol. This date is a national holiday, EOKA Day.
Four years of ambushes, sabotage, and persecution. Britain deployed thousands of soldiers to the island but did not break the guerrillas.
❓ When was EOKA founded? → 1955
❓ Full name of EOKA? → Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών
Compromise in Zurich and London
By 1959 it was clear: the war had reached a stalemate. Britain was exhausted, and Greece and Turkey did not want a conflict between themselves.
19 February 1959 – the Zurich–London Agreements were signed in London.
Main result: Cyprus receives independence. But not enosis – union with Greece is banned forever.
Three guarantor countries:
- United Kingdom
- Greece
- Turkey
Each received the right to intervene if the constitution was violated. Turkey would use this right in 1974.
❓ On the basis of which agreements did Cyprus become independent? → Zurich–London
Imposed independence
An important fact that is often overlooked: Cypriots did not participate in the creation of their state.
| What | How it was |
|---|---|
| Agreements | Written by Greece, Turkey, and Britain |
| Constitution | Drafted by the same three countries |
| Referendum | Not held |
| Voice of Cypriots | Almost none |
Neither Greek Cypriots nor Turkish Cypriots voted for these agreements. They were simply told: “Here is your state. Here is your constitution.”
This explains why the system quickly failed – it did not reflect the reality on the ground.
❓ Did Cypriots vote for the 1960 Constitution?
→ No (there was no referendum)
The first elections
13 December 1959 – for the first time in history, Cypriots elected a president.
Two candidates:
- Archbishop Makarios III (Μακάριος Γ΄, Makarios III) – leader of the struggle for independence, supported by EOKA
- Ioannis Kliridis (Ιωάννης Κληρίδης, Ioannis Kliridis) – lawyer, supported by the left (AKEL)
Result: Makarios – 66.8%, Kliridis – 33.2%.
Turnout – 91%. People believed they were voting for the future.
❓ When were the first presidential elections held? → 13 December 1959
Birth of the Republic
📅 16 August 1960 – the last British governor handed power over to Makarios. The Republic of Cyprus was born.
But the national holiday is 1 October. On that day the Cypriot flag was raised for the first time. That is the date that is celebrated.
❓ When was the Republic of Cyprus proclaimed? → 16 August 1960
❓ When does Cyprus celebrate Independence Day? → 1 October
Makarios III: a priest at the helm of the state
Archbishop Makarios III (Μακάριος Γ΄, Makarios III) is a unique figure. Head of the Church and head of state in one person.
He was born in the mountain village of Pano Panagia (Πάνω Παναγιά, Pano Panagia), Paphos district. The son of a shepherd. He became a monk, then a bishop, and at 37 – archbishop of all Cyprus.
The British arrested him in 1956 and exiled him to the Seychelles. This only strengthened his authority.
He remained president for 17 years – until his death in 1977. He survived assassination attempts, a coup, and an invasion.
❓ Who was the first president of Cyprus? → Archbishop Makarios III
❓ Which village was Makarios III from? → Pano Panagia (Πάνω Παναγιά)
The Constitution: beautiful but unworkable
The 1960 Constitution tried to reconcile the two communities – Greek and Turkish. On paper everything looked fair.
| Position | Community |
|---|---|
| President | Greek Cypriot |
| Vice President | Turkish Cypriot |
| Ministers | 7 Greeks + 3 Turks |
| Parliament | 70% Greeks + 30% Turks |
The problem: The Constitution emphasized differences between the communities instead of uniting them. Separate voting, veto rights, separate municipalities.
Greek Cypriots wanted to strengthen a unitary state. The Turkish side sought segregation and partition.
Within three years the system collapsed.
The 1963–1964 crisis
December 1963 – Makarios proposed to amend the constitution. Remove the veto right, simplify governance. The proposals are known as the “13 points of Makarios”.
Turkish Cypriots refused. Clashes began. Hundreds of people on both sides were killed.
What happened:
- Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the government
- In Nicosia a “Green Line” appeared – a British general drew it with a green pencil
- In 1964 UN peacekeepers (UNFICYP) arrived. They are still on the island
- Turkey threatened invasion and carried out air strikes
Negotiations under UN mediation lasted from 1968 to 1974. There was progress, violence almost stopped. But everything was cut short in the summer of 1974.
The island was divided long before the Turkish invasion.
Chronology
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Creation of EOKA, beginning of armed struggle (1 April) |
| 1959 | Zurich–London Agreements (February) |
| 1959 | First presidential elections (13 December) |
| 1960 | Proclamation of the Republic (16 August) |
| 1963 | Constitutional crisis, intercommunal clashes |
| 1964 | Deployment of UN peacekeepers (UNFICYP) |
| 1968–1974 | Negotiations under UN auspices |
| 1974 | Coup and Turkish invasion |
What to remember
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When was EOKA founded? | 1955 (1 April) |
| Full name of EOKA | Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών |
| Independence agreements | Zurich–London (1959) |
| Did Cypriots vote for the constitution | No |
| Guarantor countries | United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey |
| First presidential elections | 13 December 1959 |
| Proclamation of the Republic | 16 August 1960 |
| Independence Day | 1 October |
| First president | Makarios III |
| Homeland of Makarios | Pano Panagia |
| UN peacekeepers | Since 1964 |