The Reason Cyprus is Divided

Quick Overview

The division of Cyprus, resulting in the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, stems from the 1974 Turkish invasion which followed a Greek-backed military coup in 1974, creating a permanent division symbolized by the UN Buffer Zone, ultimately rooted in the differing desires for Enosis (union with Greece) by Greek Cypriots and Taksim (partition) by Turkish Cypriots, exacerbated by British colonial policies.

Key Points: The division of Cyprus into the Republic of Cyprus (South) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (internationally unrecognized) is visually represented by a red line on a map (0:03). The immediate cause was the 1974 Greek-backed military coup against President Makarios III (0:14), followed by the Turkish invasion (0:16). The conflict is historically rooted in the 1950s 'Cyprus Emergency' where Greek Cypriots favored Enosis (union with Greece), while Turkish Cypriots favored Taksim (partition) (2:20, 2:25). British colonial rule (1878-1960) exacerbated tensions by employing 'divide and rule' tactics (0:44) and maintaining military bases (1:37). The EOKA organization, led by Colonel Georgios Grivas (4:29), fought against British rule for Enosis (3:38). The 1960 London and Zurich Agreements granted independence but retained British sovereign base areas (Akrotiri and Dhekelia) (1:44, 1:47, 14:27). The continued division is physically manifested by the UN Buffer Zone running across the island (0:04, 15:58).

Context: This video explains the historical and political origins of the division of Cyprus, which persists today with the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north, separated by the UN Buffer Zone. The conflict is traced back to the end of British colonial rule in 1960, the rise of the Greek nationalist movement EOKA seeking Enosis (union with Greece), and the opposing Turkish Cypriot desire for Taksim (partition), culminating in the 1974 Turkish invasion following a coup against Archbishop Makarios III.