British Imperialism and Turkish Nationalism in Cyprus, 1923-1939 : Divide, Define and Rule

"As Cyprus experienced British imperial rule between 1878 and 1960, Greek and Turkish nationalism on the island developed at different times and at different speeds. Relations between Turkish Cypriots and the British on the one hand, and Greek Cypriots and the British on the other, were often asymmetrical with the Muslim community undergoing an enormous change in terms of national/ethnic identity and class characteristics. Turkish Cypriot nationalism developed belatedly as a militant nationalist and anti-Enosis movement. This book explores the relationship between the emergence of Turkish national identity and British colonial rule in the 1920s and 1930s."--Provided by publisher. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Information 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of contents 8 Illustrations 10 Acknowledgements 12 Note on transliteration 14 Acronyms and abbreviations 15 1 Introduction 16 The structure of the book 17 Note 18 2 Historical background 19 Turkish nationalism 20 Kemalism 22 The ethnic origins of the Muslim community of Cyprus 28 Interpretations of the rise and development of Turkish Cypriot nationalism 31 Notes 38 3 International context 46 Introduction 46 British Empire and British administration 47 Strategic importance of Cyprus 50 The project of the British university in the eastern Mediterranean 54 The project 55 The possible locations 56 The Italian imperial threat 58 Turkey and Cyprus 63 Conclusion 65 Notes 66 4 Social and economic context 74 Introduction 74 Urbanisation 75 New middle class 75 From Ottoman to British administration 76 Police 79 Press and ‘print capitalism’ 83 Emigration to Anatolia 87 Conclusion 91 Notes 92 5 Ideological and cultural context 97 Introduction 97 Education as a political tool 98 Early years of British educational policy 101 Educational policies 101 Muslim Cypriot educational system: primary education 106 Muslim Cypriot educational system: secondary education 112 Muslim Cypriot educational system: university education 114 Cultural transformation 117 The marriage law and polygamy 117 Marriages between Muslim Cypriots and Turkish citizens 118 Hat versus fez 121 Mosque prayers for the empire 122 Language reform 124 Conclusion 126 Notes 126 6 Political context 136 Introduction 136 Local councils 137 Relations with Greek Cypriots 143 Internal division 148 Judiciary 154 October Revolt 155 Palmerocracy 158 Turkish consul 159 The communist threat 162 Conclusion 168 Notes 168 7 Discussion 178 British imperialism 178 Divide and rule 179 Notes 183 Appendix 185 Bibliography 189 Primary sources 189 Unprinted archival sources 189 Secondary sources 194 Index 203