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The island of Cyprus came under control of the British in 1878. Demographics included both Turk and Greek Cypriots.

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Archbishop Makarios III led an insurgency against British rule in the bid for liberation starting in 1955. Strategies were both military heavy as well as utilizing the public population as a force of resistance and civil disobedience.

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Archbishop Makarios' exile from Cyprus to Seychelles on a map.

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In 1955 a state of emergency was declared. By 1956, Archbishop Makarios was exiled to Seychelles. However the rebellion continuted. 1957 saw British gaining traction by killing and arresting leaders of the military movement .

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Although the military resistance was stomped out, civilians continued rioting and targeting the lives of officers and officials into 1959, even when Makarios gave up on his original demands. 1959 was when the British decided to grant Cyprus the status of its own independent republic.

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The Turkish and Greek communities within Cyprus maintained high tension and constantly escalated violence. 1974 marked a coup attempt by the Greeks to take full power and demonstrate irredentist action to join Greece. This triggered a Turkish invasion response.

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Current borders and occupations of Cyprus

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The Turkish invasion coupled with a mobilized Greek population led to a North-South divide. North Cyprus is recognized as an independent state by only Turkey as the"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". The British maintain a military presence in two bases. They also partner with UN to form a peacekeeping corridor to prevent North-South conflict and skirmish.

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“What Caused the Division of the Island of Cyprus?” Imperial War Museums, www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-caused-the-division-of-the-island-of-cyprus. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.

“Northern Cyprus: Country Profile.” Freedom House, freedomhouse.org/country/northern-cyprus. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.