Cyprus British colony until early 1980's or 1990's

What if Cyprus didn't gain indepentance in 1960 but in 1980 or 1990. What the impact for Greek and Turkish Cypriots? A better situation than in OTL?

A totally different situation. If you butterfly away the Turkish invasion, the Turkish Cypriots would be more clearly in the minority (reducing their numbers somewhat due to lacking immigration from Turkey).

The UK as Colonial power would, so I assume, take some care to ensure a fair treatment of this minority before and during the independance process.

Possible effects:

-earlier development of mass-tourism and subsequently a better economical development from the 70s onwards
-maybe an earlier EU entry, e.g. alongside Austria/Finland/Sweden in 1995
-chances for an earlier Greek-Turkish detente between Athens and Ankara
 
A totally different situation. If you butterfly away the Turkish invasion, the Turkish Cypriots would be more clearly in the minority (reducing their numbers somewhat due to lacking immigration from Turkey).

The UK as Colonial power would, so I assume, take some care to ensure a fair treatment of this minority before and during the independance process.

Possible effects:

-earlier development of mass-tourism and subsequently a better economical development from the 70s onwards
-maybe an earlier EU entry, e.g. alongside Austria/Finland/Sweden in 1995
-chances for an earlier Greek-Turkish detente between Athens and Ankara

Good points.

One question remains so: if the Cypriots accepted some sort of colonial rule into the 80s or even 90s, this requires some major changes. British investment, home rule and so forth would be necessary. My question now is if Cyprus with heavy British investment, British tourism, home rule and maybe even some sort of representation in Westminster would want full independence anyway?
 
Good points.

One question remains so: if the Cypriots accepted some sort of colonial rule into the 80s or even 90s, this requires some major changes. British investment, home rule and so forth would be necessary. My question now is if Cyprus with heavy British investment, British tourism, home rule and maybe even some sort of representation in Westminster would want full independence anyway?

Well, I think culturally they're just too different from Britain. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland tend to have rather different voting patters anyway.
 

nova2010

Banned
Well, I think culturally they're just too different from Britain. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland tend to have rather different voting patters anyway.

What culturally? In Hong Kong 98% where Asians however was British colony from mid 19th century until 1997.
 
Well, I think culturally they're just too different from Britain. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland tend to have rather different voting patters anyway.

The same could be said for Gibraltar, Malta, the Channel Islands, the Falklands, the Isle of Man, the BVI, and Bermuda had they become full members of the UK with representation in Westminster. ;) Plus, as bad as it was, British rule in Cyprus must have had some positive effect.
 
The same could be said for Gibraltar, Malta, the Channel Islands, the Falklands, the Isle of Man, the BVI, and Bermuda had they become full members of the UK with representation in Westminster. ;) Plus, as bad as it was, British rule in Cyprus must have had some positive effect.

It prevented the Greeks and Turks from killing each other. Dominion status would be heavenly. The United Kingdom of Britain, northern Ireland and Cyprus!
 
The same could be said for Gibraltar, Malta, the Channel Islands, the Falklands, the Isle of Man, the BVI, and Bermuda had they become full members of the UK with representation in Westminster. ;) Plus, as bad as it was, British rule in Cyprus must have had some positive effect.

well they're not really full members of the united kingdom
 
Good points.

One question remains so: if the Cypriots accepted some sort of colonial rule into the 80s or even 90s, this requires some major changes. British investment, home rule and so forth would be necessary. My question now is if Cyprus with heavy British investment, British tourism, home rule and maybe even some sort of representation in Westminster would want full independence anyway?

Wouldn't happen, they wouldn't be allowed representation in Westminster for one. Plus Cyprus isn't just a rock or city, it's a nation with a culturally distinct history that isn't going to want to be run by politician's of a completely different language ethnicity and culture in an entirely different ocean.
 
Pretty hard to imagine colonial rule lasting much longer than it did. The outside pressures on all the European empires to decolonize were considerable. My guess is that if Britain tried to stay, terrorism would just have gotten nastier and nastier as the nationalists got impatient.
 

Anaxagoras

Banned
Hopefully, a boost for the Cypriot wine industry. It's one of the most underappreciated wine producers in the world. Really wonderful stuff.
 

Don Grey

Banned
I think this is a special case where british rule would be better. With british rule the greeks wont have another one of there crazy ideas so no enosis means greeks dont try to ethnicly cleans the turks on the island thus no intervention. This would be also great for turkish greek relations with ankara and athens not hating each other.More stubility on tha island will ofcourse effect the economie in a postive light. And a united cyprus may become a full member of the EU in the future.All in all looks like a good scenario.
 
I'm inclined to agree with people saying it would be better if the British kept hold. Presumably Cyprus would remain relatively mixed ethnically, and so long as ridiculous nationalism doesnt become to strong on either side, a common identity could emerge. Which could only be good.
 
An eventual independance as a Dominion in the 1970s could be peaceful if proportional representation of minorities is instituted.
 

Don Grey

Banned
An eventual independance as a Dominion in the 1970s could be peaceful if proportional representation of minorities is instituted.

Yes that would seem to be the best solution. But its as if the brits didnt seem to care much for cyprus or was in the mood to leave in a hurry. If they had atleast made good on honoring there treaties there would have been no turkish intervention and we would have to deal with the mess we have today.Before they left they could have instatuited some proper proportional representation making sure the minority has equal say in matters of goverment with out them being crushed under the weight of the majority. The brits might have accomplished this as a third party if they dont play favorites and not turn one section into second class citizens.
 
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