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When the British took control of Cyprus in 1878 under the Anglo-Turkish agreement, the Cypriots hoped that things would improve. To some extent things did improve, as the British legal system was introduced along with an extensive roads and bridge building projects. A re-forestation programme was also undertaken. A railway line was built from Famagusta to Güzelyurt.

When Turkey joined with Germany in the first World War, Britain annexed Cyprus. The island was offered to Greece in return for their allegiance in the war, but the Greeks chose not to accept. The Greek Cypriots had hoped that Britain would support their cause for "Enosis" (union with Greece), but that hope was shattered once Greece had turned down the offer. 

In 1925 Cyprus became a Crown Colony. The Orthodox church began to covertly support the growing call for Enosis, and in 1931 the Greek Cypriots rioted across the island, torching Government House. Britain brought in reinforcements from Egypt and quashed the uprising. The leaders of the revolt were tried and exiled.

Enosis was forced back underground, and did not resurface until after World War II. During the war the both Greek and Turkish Cypriots fought with the British Commonwealth forces. After the war the Greek Cypriots believed they had earned the right to self-determination. Calls for Enosis were renewed, and in 1950 Archbishop Makarios of the Orthodox church organised a referendum resulting in a 96% vote for Enosis. The Turkish Cypriot minority did not wish Enosis with Greece, preferring either a status quo or some sort of affiliation with Turkey.

In 1954 following Egyptian independence, Britain moved its Middle Eastern headquarters to Cyprus. This effectively ended any chance of self-determination for Cyprus. Archbishop Makarios along with General George Grivas secretly formed EOKA - The National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters - as an underground military force dedicated to throw off British rule.

Britain called a conference with Greece and Turkey in 1955, but this failed to reach any solution, and Greece subsequently applied to the UN for Cypriot independence in 1957 and 1958. This claim ignored the wishes of Turkish Cypriots, Turkey proposed a double enosis or partition of the island.

With mounting casualties caused by EOKA bombings and shootings the British were keen to find a solution, and eventually in 1959 the Treaty of Zurich was agreed by Britain, Greece and Turkey. A few days later the London Accord was signed by Britain and Cypriot representatives from both sides granting Cyprus independence (although allowing Britain to keep two Sovereign bases on the island). The agreement also gave Britain, Greece and Turkey the right of intercession to guarantee Cypriot independence.