A tale of coexistence : a history of Cyprus from 1860 to 1931

Abstract

This dissertation examines the inter-communal relationships between Orthodox Christian Greek Cypriots and Muslim Turkish Cypriots from 1860 to 1931. The study aims to shed light on a history of coexistence on the island of Cy prus. The main goal of this dissertation is to present an inclusive bi-communal narrative and to ask new questions about the national identity construction processes of the two communities living together. The chronological timeline of the thesis is started with the Ottoman inspection on the island in =>?@ and is completed with the rebellion in =AB=. The study intends to start from =>?@, in other words, before the administration of the island was passed to the Brit ish, and end with the =AB= rebellion because it was necessary to take a date after =AIB in order to see the effects of the establishment of the new Turkish Republic of Turkey and its aftermath on Cyprus. Further, it examines the iden tity formation processes of Cypriots using "ambivalence" while constructing a common historical narrative by examining the daily lives of Cypriots and their inter-communal relationships. Based on Ottoman and British sources, this study explores the socio-political life of Orthodox Christian Greek Cyp riots and Muslim Turkish Cypriots during the late Ottoman period and under British colonial rule.