A delegation from Cyprus had submitted a…

A delegation from Cyprus had submitted a demand for enosis—union with Greece—to London after the Second World War.

The demand had been rejected but the British proposed a more liberal constitution and a ten-year program of social and economic development.

King Paul of Greece had declared in 1948 that Cyprus desired union with Greece.

In 1951, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus had presented a referendum according to which around a great majority of the Greek Cypriot population wanted the union.

The United Nations had accepted the Greek petition and enosis had then become an international issue.

Both Greece and Turkey had become members of NATO in 1952.

The British withdrawal from Egypt in that year had led to Cyprus becoming the new location for their Middle East Headquarters.

The Greek Cypriot demand for enosis, led by Archbishop Makarios, emerges with new force in the 1950s, when Greece begins to accord it support on the international scene.

This attempt to win world support alerts Turkey and alarms the Turkish Cypriots.

When international pressure does not suffice to make Britain respond as required, violence escalates with a campaign against the colonial power organized by EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston).

Its leader, Colonel George Grivas, creates and directs an effective campaign beginning in 1955.

The first bombs are set off on April 1, followed by leaflets.

Attacks on police stations start on June 19.

The Governor proclaims a State of Emergency on November 26.