Th Genesis of the Greek and Turkish Nationalism in Cyprus, 1878-1914: A Common March at a Different Pace

Abstract

Greek national ideas ruptured the Ottoman millet system in Cyprus, with the onslaught of the Greek Revolution and the creation of the modern Greek State. Henceforth, Greek nationalism made its appearence, with the beginning of the British rule; as a result the dominant Muslim community was forced to live under legal equality with the Greek Cypriot majority Initially, the Muslims maintained a policy of political obedience towards the British administration, until the creation of the national Turkish State, a fact that prompted them to a nationalistic attitude, similar to the one already adopted by the Greek Cypriots. The emergence of nationalism resulted in the deterioration of relations between the Greeks and the Turks of Cyprus. Peaceful co-existence during the Ottoman period, was gradually replaced by a state of conflict.