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Following the takover of the island by Lala Mustapha Pasha in 1571 life for the native Cypriots improved significantly. The hated Latin (Roman Catholic) church was usurped, with many of the cathedrals being converted to mosques. The Orthodox church was restored to power. the feudal system was swept away, and the Cypriots could again own and inherit land.

Turkish settlers were encouraged by the Sultan who gave them land on Cyprus. This was to forever change the ethnic make up of the population.

Turkish rule ultimately meant high taxation for the Cypriots, and little in return. The system of government was open to corruption and the Cypriots had only come under a different form of oppression. The Orthodox church collaborated with the Turkish authority in the collection of taxes in return for favours and privileges. The Greek and Turkish peasants united in revolt against the regime but to no avail.

The Ottoman Empire had passed its zenith, and began to dissolve. In 1832 Greece, aided by Europe, gained its independence followed shortly after by Egypt. The Ottoman Empire was struggling in its ongoing war with Russia, and in 1877 suffered further defeat by Russia losing most of Anatolia. 

Great Britain was concerned by Russian expansionism seeing it as a threat to the Suez Canal which they had opened in 1869 and in 1878 the Anglo-Turk Convention was signed. This agreement allowed Britain to occupy Cyprus as a base from which to protect its interests (although sovereignty remained with the Turks) in return Britain would guarantee the Turkish borders against Russian aggression. The British forces landed quietly at Larnaca in June that year and assumed control of the island.