Cyprus was a territory of the Ottoman Empire, lastly as part of the Vilayet of the Archipelago, since it was conquered from the Republic of Venice in 1570–71.

This remained in place until 5 November 1914, when after the Ottomans joined the Central Powers, in turn entering World War I, Britain declared the complete annexation of Cyprus into the British Empire, albeit under a military administration status.

Signed on 19 February 1959, the London and Zurich Agreements started the process for the constitution of an independent Cyprus.

Archbishop Makarios III, a charismatic religious and political leader, was elected as the first president of independent Cyprus.

As part of the independence agreement, the United Kingdom retained possession of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia as a British Overseas Territory.