Cyprus Enosis

1 cyprus

1.1 inception of cypriot enosis
1.2 1940s , 1950s
1.3 after independence

cyprus
inception of cypriot enosis

in 1828, modern greece’s first president ioannis kapodistrias maternal ancestors greek cypriots, called union of cyprus greece, , numerous minor uprisings took place.

the enosis movement outgrowth of nationalist awareness among ethnically greek population of cyprus (around 80% between 1882 , 1960), coupled growth of anti-colonial movement throughout british empire after world war ii. in fact, anti-colonial movement in cyprus identified enosist movement, enosis being, in minds of hellenic population of cyprus, natural outcome of liberation of cypriot people ottoman rule , later british rule. string of british proposals local autonomy under continued british suzerainty roundly rejected.

1940s , 1950s

the idea of enosis systematically implanted minds of greek cypriot youth through education. greek cypriot schools aligned curriculum in greece recognized greek government , graduates of these schools accepted greek universities without exams. such, greek cypriot schools put emphasis on idea of being part of greater greek nation , realization of megali idea make greece great again. taught students greeks , should welcome enosis. in 1940s , 50s, textbooks portrayed turks enemies of greeks , claimed greek cypriots enslaved british. students made take oath of allegiance greek flag on flag day , students @ flag day celebrations marched chanting anti-turkish slogans, such heads of turks must cut off , bodies thrown in filth . students pledged loyalty greek king @ boy scouts, later banned british. inter-communal periodicals, published british, prevented being accessed students , teachers pressured actively promote enosis feared retribution church.

in december 1949, cypriot orthodox church asked british colonial government put enosis question referendum, on basis of right of cypriot population self-determination. though uk ally of greece during ww2 , had supported greek government during greek civil war, british colonial government refused. church proceeded organize own unofficial referendum take place in churches. referendum took place on 2 consecutive sundays of 15 , 22 january 1950, overwhelming majority 95.7% of greeks signing in favor of extricating island british empire , annexing kingdom of greece. later, there accusations local greek orthodox church had told congregation if did not vote in favour of enosis have meant excommunication church. unlike modern elections , referendums, decided secret ballot, 1950 referendum amounted public collection of signatures. obvious reason that, given unofficial status of referendum, secret ballot easier dispute eponymous 1 (collection of signatures).

after referendum, delegation formed aim of international distribution of referendum documents. representatives managed deliver documents signatures greek parliament, london , united nations headquarters in new york. in 1954, greece made first formal request un implementation of principle of equal rights , of self-determination of peoples in case of cypriot population. until 1958, 4 other relative requests made- unsuccessfully- greek government united nations.

in 1955, resistance movement eoka formed in cyprus in order end british rule , annex island greece. anti-colonial, liberation struggle lasted until 1959. then, argued many enosis politically unfeasible due presence of strong turkish minority , increasing assertiveness. instead, creation of independent state elaborate power-sharing arrangements among 2 communities agreed upon in 1960, , fragile republic of cyprus born.

after independence

the idea of union greece not abandoned, though. during campaign 1968 presidential elections, makarios iii said enosis desirable whereas independence possible . differentiated him hardline pro-enosis elements formed eoka b , participated in military coup against him in 1974. coup organized , supported greek government, still in hands of military junta. turkish government responded change of status quo invasion of cyprus. result of events of 1974 geographic partition of cyprus, followed massive population transfers. coup , subsequent events undermined enosis movement. departure of turkish cypriots areas remained under republic s effective control resulted in homogeneous greek cypriot society in southern two-thirds of island. greek cypriots started identify republic of cyprus, which, since partition, has lain under community s exclusive political control.