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Despite a history of repeated occupations by different conquering powers, the people of Cyprus retained Greek cultural identity and language. The Greek population of Cyprus yearned to be part of Greece. Although Greek Cypriots assisted in the War of Greek Independence in 1821 to 1827, the island did not become part of the independent Greek kingdom in 1832. The Ottoman Empire held Cyprus until 1878 when they were defeated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. Fearing greater expansion by Russia, Turkey induced the British to administer Cyprus. Under the enabling convention, the British received complete control of Cyprus for a rental of about $500,000 yearly, and Turkey retained nominal title. When the British administrators assumed office in 1879 they were presented with a petition from the Archbishop and the Greek community calling for union with the Kingdom of Greece which greatly dismayed the Turkish inhabitants of the island. The petition was denied. | Despite a history of repeated occupations by different conquering powers, the people of Cyprus retained Greek cultural identity and language. The Greek population of Cyprus yearned to be part of Greece. Although Greek Cypriots assisted in the War of Greek Independence in 1821 to 1827, the island did not become part of the independent Greek kingdom in 1832. The Ottoman Empire held Cyprus until 1878 when they were defeated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. Fearing greater expansion by Russia, Turkey induced the British to administer Cyprus. Under the enabling convention, the British received complete control of Cyprus for a rental of about $500,000 yearly, and Turkey retained nominal title. When the British administrators assumed office in 1879 they were presented with a petition from the Archbishop and the Greek community calling for union with the Kingdom of Greece which greatly dismayed the Turkish inhabitants of the island. The petition was denied. | ||
When Turkey joined the Central Powers in World War I, Great Britain abrogated the 1878 treaty in November 1914 and annexed Cyprus. The British government then offered Cyprus to Greece if Greece would agree to enter the war on the Allied side. Greece was given one week to decide, and when the decision was delayed the British withdrew the offer. By the terms of the peace arrangement imposed on the Turks after the war, Turkey formally recognized British possession of Cyprus and in 1925 the island was made a crown colony. | When Turkey joined the Central Powers in World War I, Great Britain abrogated the 1878 treaty in November 1914 and annexed Cyprus. The British government then offered Cyprus to Greece if Greece would agree to enter the war on the Allied side. Greece was given one week to decide, and when the decision was delayed the British withdrew the offer. By the terms of the peace arrangement imposed on the Turks after the war, Turkey formally recognized British possession of Cyprus and in 1925 the island was made a crown colony. In 1959, it became an independent republic.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Cyprus,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1994-1998.</ref> | ||
== Population Statistics == | == Population Statistics == | ||