EOKA

Quick Facts: Who was EOKA?

Subject:

EOKA

Known for:

Greek Cypriot guerrilla organization fighting for independence from Britain and union with Greece.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (EOKA ; Greek: Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών, lit. 'National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters') was a Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla organization that fought a campaign for the end of British rule in Cyprus, and for eventual union with Greece. Cyprus, an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, has had a Greek cultural presence dating back thousands of years, visible in its language, religion, and traditions. The island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571. Before this, it had never been under Turkish rule, having been governed at different times by Greek, Byzantine, and Latin powers.

Career & Major Achievements

During Ottoman administration, the population remained overwhelmingly Greek. Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), control of Cyprus was transferred to the British Empire on 4 June 1878. Official censuses conducted under British administration recorded a consistent Greek Cypriot majority: in 1881 Greeks numbered 137,631 (73.9%) and Turks 45,458 (24.4%) out of 186,173; in 1931 Greeks 276,572 (79.5%) and Turks 64,238 (18.5%) out of 347,959; and in 1960 Greeks 442,363 (77.1%) and Turks 104,333 (18.2%) out of 573,566. British censuses conducted between 1881 and 1960 consistently recorded Greek Cypriots as the large majority of the population, with Turkish Cypriots forming a smaller minority: As nationalistic tendencies grew in both major population groups, Greek Cypriots advocated for Enosis (Union with Greece) which was a part of the Megali idea. The origins of Enosis date back to 1821, the year when the Greek War of Independence commenced, and the archbishop of Cyprus, his archdeacon, and three bishops were beheaded by the Ottoman colonial administration, amongst other atrocities.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1828, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, asked for the union of Cyprus with Greece, while small-scale uprisings also occurred. In 1878, when British general Wolsely came to Cyprus to formally establish British rule, he was met by the archbishop of Kition who, after welcoming him, requested that Britain cede Cyprus to Greece. Initially, the Greek Cypriots welcomed British rule, as they were aware that the British had returned the Ionian Islands to Greece in 1864. They were also hopeful for British investment in Cyprus, which the Ottoman occupation left as an impoverished island. In 1912, the British government made an offer to Greece to exchange Cyprus for a naval base in Argostoli, in order to gain control of the Ionian Sea, an offer which was repeated in 1913.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1571: 1571 Milestone — The island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571.
2. 1821: 1821 Milestone — The origins of Enosis date back to 1821, the year when the Greek War of Independence commenced, and the archbishop of Cyprus, his archdeacon, and three bishops were beheaded by the Ottoman colonial administration, amongst other atrocities.
3. 1828: 1828 Milestone — In 1828, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, asked for the union of Cyprus with Greece, while small-scale uprisings also occurred.
4. 1864: 1864 Milestone — Initially, the Greek Cypriots welcomed British rule, as they were aware that the British had returned the Ionian Islands to Greece in 1864.
5. 1877: 1877 Milestone — Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), control of Cyprus was transferred to the British Empire on 4 June 1878.
6. 1878: 1878 Milestone — In 1878, when British general Wolsely came to Cyprus to formally establish British rule, he was met by the archbishop of Kition who, after welcoming him, requested that Britain cede Cyprus to Greece.
7. 1881: 1881 Milestone — Official censuses conducted under British administration recorded a consistent Greek Cypriot majority: in 1881 Greeks numbered 137,631 (73.
8. 1912: 1912 Milestone — In 1912, the British government made an offer to Greece to exchange Cyprus for a naval base in Argostoli, in order to gain control of the Ionian Sea, an offer which was repeated in 1913.
9. 1931: 1931 Milestone — 4%) out of 186,173; in 1931 Greeks 276,572 (79.
10. 1960: 1960 Milestone — 5%) out of 347,959; and in 1960 Greeks 442,363 (77.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: EOKA

True or False: “The EOKA movement was solely focused on achieving a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the Cyprus issue.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): EOKA adopted armed guerrilla tactics and military campaigns as primary means to achieve its goals of independence and Enosis.

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Frequently Asked Questions about EOKA