The administrative and social circumtances of Cyprus under British rule (1878-1914)

Cyprus has always been an area of interest for states that want to rule over Mediterranean,a place haunted by where several tribes and that hosts heritage of civilizations.At the end of 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian war, Rusya was becoming a threat for other greatpowers by gaining great acquisitions through Ayastefanos Treaty. Especially, British rule whowas going to get affected mostly by this situation, suggested II. Abdülhamit a defensivealliance against Russia through İstanbul delegate and wanted to take over the administration ofCyprus at interm as a ?place d'armes? in return for this.Sultan II. Abdülhamit who did not want to hand over Cyprus to England tried to put backthe suggestion of British, upon this, the British threatened to hand over the island by the forceof arms if its administration was not left to English, on the telegraph sent from British Ministerof Foreign Affairs to Istanbul and under this circumtances, sultan had to sign the alliance.Cyprus Turks did their best against Enosis movement of Cyprus Greeks, Britishadministration did not take any measures although Ottoman Goverment warned Britishadministration many times about this issue.British administration took the advantage of various controversies between Turks andCyprus Greeks who compose the majority of the land, encouraged disagreements betweenTurks and Cyprus Greeks and clinched their control by assigning people who are close to themto effective positions. In the analysed period, the main idea of England upon the islandadministration can be evaluated as ?divide -direct?.The British control in Cyprus where was handed over to the British administration atinterm upon the alliance contracted between Ottoman Goverment and England on 4 June 1878was completely established. Although Ottoman Government tried to interfere with theimplmentations of British administration in favor of Turks that live in the island, it could not besuccessful because of the current heavy situation.