Why is Cyprus Divided? (Short Animated Documentary)

Cyprus, like many countries, isn't whole. However unlike most nations which are split, it's split into three parts with Cyprus itself holding the south, Turkish-backed Northern Cyprus in the north and with Britain holding on two other parts of the island because of course they are. To find out how this strange status occurred watch this short and simple animated history documentary.
/ histmattersyt
Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=4973164
A special thanks to all of these Patrons below, without whom the show wouldn't be possible:
thypthon
Jens Koch-Nommensen
Øystein Alsaker
Sergio M. Vela
Heath Robertson
Steve Walker
Mcfeld
Jillbert
Sacred Funk Dragon
Dave Brondsema
Michael Kram
Hasmuffin
Franco La Bruna
Southside Mitch
Don Bonnigan
Azlow the Lion
Ian Whitcomb
John
Matthew Literovich
Ryan Schindeler
JakeBak0905
Ray Charles Barkley
Sean D.
Joooooshhhhhh
S. Marisol Asselta
Jane Sumpter
Joshua Rackstraw
Travis Mount
Ariel David Moya Sequeira
Shauna K
Samantha O'Leary
Steven Gibson
Alex Teplyakov
Piotr Wojnowski
Philip Yip
Balancewheel
imperialgerman
Shion
sharpie660
Aaron Conaway
Paul Munro
Jack Nelson
Arthur Hosey Jr.
Andreas Mosand
Porkmeister
Barry
Andrew F
Windischgraetz
Phoenix Fats
Nicholas Menghini
Shakira Graham
Vance Christiaanse
Jack Wicks
Andy McGehee
Jamie van Brewen
Andrea Dekrout
Tailsdoll
Joshua Schneider
Baste
Adrian Marine
D. Mahlik
Erik Hare
Christopher Godfrey
Konstantin Bredyuk
BeninPrince51
Zhao Liu
Roman Kynčl
Chase Labiste
Colonel Oneill
Contdoko12
zockotron
Sethars
Matthew Toles
Tactical_Jackal
Eugene Delacroix
Josh J
Ron Johnson
Shawn Morse
Dana Spurgeon
Katie Flinn
Emily Sissell
Allen Rines
Angel Aguiñaga
Wesley Helgeson
Chris Winther
Clayton Schuman
Michael Galloway
HelloAgain
Liam Gilleece
Historian22B.C
Sahni
Keith A. Layton
Mickey Landen
Emily Glover-Wilson
Tim Lane
Snowdon
Tiffany Twisted
mgnesium.poetry
Michael Myers
Vilena5
Bradley Backoff
Carl Blanton
Ciege Engine
Andrew Patane
Zach Rust
Victor Gomez
Serius_Loyola
Leena Al-Souki
Brian George
KNSTRKTVST
Harley Raptopoulos
John Garcia
Ryan Marinelli
Matthew O'Connor
Tim Stone
ARandomPaperClip
blaZzinG_FurY
Matt Reed
Theodosius the Elder
Robert Woodward
William Adderholdt
Matthew Maguire
Dullis
Wilhelm Screamer
JAY ALAN EDELMAN
Imperial Pony
Bartosz Zasada
Chris Weisel
Bernice
george tyler
LAMAR DANIEL-KELLY
Hexapuma
Colm Byrne
No way
Toshnika
Perry Gagne
Gnar Slabdash
Random Insanity
Juan Castillo
Ahmed Roshdi
Aaron Larrow
Greyceful
Curt Helmerich
Liquid Chief
Steve Bonds
Anthony McCann
C. C. C.
Andrew Niedbala
bas mensink
Abhijeeth
Warren Rudkin
Dexter_McAaron
Tino
B Dryad
Joseph Hutchins
Thomas McGill
Joel Cromwell
David Patrick Bucko
Raymond He
Oliver Jenner
Tim Sweeney
Clay Carroll
Magdalena Reinberg-Leibel
Tim Stumbaugh
Steven Mastronardo
David van Reyk
Joseph Reinsch
Chach
BattleGoat Studios
Ken Warner
Alex Slepak
Ned Burke
Stefan Møller
Nathan Ngumi
Daniel Orrego Melis
Sean Long
Käs
Christian Vasquez Leon
Melissa Prober
Adam Rabung
luvrhino
Sterling Archer
Burt Clothier
Bryan Linsley
Ali Sadighian
Bernardo Cavalcanti
Mars Project
Vegard Tønnessen
Ian Smith
anon
Bren Ehnebuske
Jonny Minogue
Yared Cristiano
David Spellmeyer
James
kevinh
Joseph Kerckhoff
Andrey Listochkin
Emily D
Matthew Trimborn
Benjamin Bowring
Richard Wolfe
Peter Marino
Alen
John Orr
Yosef Waysman
Michael Dierker
William Clark
Justin Pearson
Zach Weakland
Daniel D.
SirAlpaka
Brian Giordano
nullptr
JT96
Gordon Wilson
Mark Littlehale
Thomas Wang
Juan Benet
Yuichiro Kakutani
Jeffrey Schneider
LambOfLeg
Michael Cunningham
Matthew Bakke
Rob Rollins
Ball State
Kevin Phoenix
Joker 54
Joshua A Bishop
Mark Ploegstra
Azul Bravestrong
Wolf
Alex G.
Mr. Awesome
Pat Stahl
Mirza Ahmed
Eric Askins
Aiden Chappell
Ryan Haber
Tristan Kreller
אורי פרקש
Mik Scheper
I'm Not In The Description
Robert Brockway
mohd
Gregory Priebe
Roko Lisica
Manny F
Ryan Krug
Justin Pratt
Charles Doolittle
Phil and Lisa Toland
A. G.
Tyler Jenkins
Now Seibert
Shoenin
Jesse Plung
Sophie Winter
Dr. Sarno
Donald Weaver
John Gross-Whitaker
Franklin Sousa
Lech Duraj
Zachary Oertel
Douglas MacLean
Nathan Snyder
Riley davidson
Colm Boyle
Danny Anstess
George Caponera
Kinfe85
Seth Reeves
Rita Cragwall
Peter A Titov
FRANK A COBBINA
Dr. Howard Dr. Fine Dr. Howard
Peter Konieczny
Isabel Harrison
Ellen Teapot
Miky Hidalgo Morriss
Igor Stavchanskiy
Dan Reiher
Casey Frye
Will Sullivan
Romney Manassa
Bodo Nuber
Phillip Gathright
Andrew Sever
Heytun
Dr. Schtnizel
Ryan Lowe
Coper
Robin!
Lindorien
Paul McGee
Michael R Coates
João Santos
Abdallah Al-Ammari
O'Driscoll Boyo
Folling
Daniel O'Reilly
Stefano Deiana
Deadlock
Gezza The Random Reviewer
Michael Corson
Erik Carlsson
Kasi
M Scho
Olaf
Schwarzer Hai
Ben L
Tarsirrus
James
Rhys Little
Laura Jeal
Graham Law
Jackarice26
Farquhar Ramshackle
Gina Service
Harrison Tatem-Wyatt
Friedrich Demmer
zemnmez
Phil Johnston
Roberticus1992
James Ling
Tom Pollard
George Gremo
DarkLycan

[@Matt_JJz]

"Entering British Territory, previously known as your country" This channel's sense of humour is golden

[@eraimattei]

Absolutely. They were too busy being POOR!

[@Real_gandalf]

Cant relate they never colonized or took over Sweden

[@tomben6180]

The world is just our living space for holidays, you should all know this by now

[@Real_gandalf]

@@Islamiadeen123 Yeah But the pesky brits never colonized us

[@mackie_b_]

@@Real_gandalfit's better, they would have been capable of making an "Overseas territory" near or bordering your country.

[@sarpbakrsoy8125]

An accurate, objective and unbiased telling of the Cyprus events? That's a rare sight. This is why I love this channel.

[@seleukus856]

A countryball channel has such an unbiased video about this?

[@mrniceguy7168]

This is actually pretty easy to find if you’re not Turkish or Greek, since no one else cares and isn’t looking for biased sources.

[@jetstreamsam1]

as a Cypriot, can confirm that is very unbiased video, really loved it

[@luisandrade2254]

@@mrniceguy7168 I mean I do care about people being displaced and a county being still basically at war and divided

[@burakalp34]

@@mrniceguy7168 No, most Turkish sources only focus on the Greek atrocities(which granted, they were barbaric look up Bloody Christmas) and most foreign sources only portray the Turks as "barbaric occupiers".

[@Percin]

I love the unbiased, to the point and concise explanations here. Thanks!

[@sink9963]

it wasn't bro unfortunately. you cant summarise something like this in 4.5 minutes.

[@Percin]

@@sink9963 Then please do a better summary and share with the world.

[@sink9963]

@@Percin there are many books and articles for you to read and educate yourself to come to your own conclusions. Cyprus is divided for many reasons and those reasons can't really be explained in a single youtube comment. I guess a some points that could aid the video are: - the people that fought for independence/enosis in 1960 also caused the coup (EOKA A and EOKA B, they are essentially the same thing) -the USA (specifically CIA) had involvement in the coup as well as Greece/UK -the Greek/Turkish Cypriot label stems from British colonialism (divide and conquer) and still divide the island to this day. The correct terms should be Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking) -enosis was a popular idea for some time and even socialist parties like AKEL (the only one lol) supported it, but they eventually realised that it did not represent what the island's population needed -Constitution was also not written by the people. It was written by Britain, Greece and Turkey. There are many other points and angles that I still have missed. I'm a Cypriot socialist so you may receive a different lense on the matter from someone else.

[@Wakamolewonder]

How would you know it’s unbiased?

[@Percin]

yo mama told me @@Wakamolewonder

[@zelkovas]

Fun fact: Cyprus was also "kind-of" divided between the Greeks and Muslims for 300 years in the Middle Ages in an agreement between the Roman Emperor and the Arabs. The island was ruled jointly by both the Romans and the Arabs and the taxes were divided equally between them and, while there was constant warfare between the two parties in the mainland, the agreement on Cyprus remained mostly consistent and respected by both parties except for a few exceptions.

[@HelleneOdalisque]

if it was divided so long even then, then greek nationalists being so sore about having the whole island today is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT unjustified. if anything it just helps the argument against greece being present in cyprus at all considering how aggressive we are being. I call to recognize the North and respect all Muslims 💝

[@awellculturedmanofanime1246]

​@HelleneOdalisque thats because the arabs didnt live there originally meanwhile Cypriot greeks are the oldest continues inhabitants of the island 🤦‍♂️

[@tk5gqj514]

That division was with Arabs though, not Turks. Turks weren't even Muslim back then

[@eges72]

Literally the colony of the balkans holy shit

[@thedonkey6704]

@@HelleneOdalisque you better not be hating on Israel then in the war because they did exactly the same as the Turks did and the Arabs did here. Invaded a country that didn’t belong to them for a pretty good reason. And then stayed there completely unjustified.

[@Rollo37]

"They were too busy being poor" Not everyone can have James Bisonette.

[@bozoforce]

Or Kelly Moneymaker

[@Memesgoo1]

@@bozoforce Or David Archeologist

[@B3RyL]

@@Memesgoo1 They should just be called "The History Matters Patreon Cabal". The Rothschilds got nothing on them.

[@CallieMasters5000]

James, can you help Ukraine?

[@MAG_nan]

Or Phil de Oink Oink

[@cardenassolisrodrigo2601]

"They were busy being poor" while happily frolicking in Recession. I love the kind of humor this channel has

[@petermavrakis8953]

Timestamp

[@ThePikminCaptain]

@@petermavrakis8953 2:13

[@petermavrakis8953]

@@ThePikminCaptain ty

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

"As with many badly drawn borders, it starts with the British!" - Jay Foremantzu, the Art of Geography. Maybe they didn't draw it this time, but they still played a role. Fun fact: The flag of the Republic of Cyprus was designed by a Turkish Cypriot painter. The flag has no blue or red not to resemble flags of Greece or Turkey and the two olive branches symbolize the hope for the two communities to live together in harmony Something you left out: the UN's Annan Plan. This plan was a big reason why Cyprus was able to join the EU, it's been in the making since the late 90s. If Cyprus wanted to join, it needed to allow the referendums as a condition. The EU and UN hoped that with the accession of the south part of the island that the northern part would want to join them as one unitary island state joining the EU. But fun fact, no. Greeks didn't support this plan because it heavily favored Turkey, like allowing the Turkish military to remain and not returning Greek Cypriot homes given to Turks

[@user-yc4kt8lm2q]

想多了，欧盟绝对不允许一个穆斯林国家加入！

[@osheridan]

​@@user-yc4kt8lm2q ???

[@FIRE-zt6vw]

​@@user-yc4kt8lm2qfun fact both Albania and vardaska are muslim countries. Yet they don't enter the EU for different reasons that their religion

[@freneticness6927]

50 percent of all world borders were made by the british

[@freneticness6927]

@@FIRE-zt6vw There arent any buddhist countries in the eu either.

[@johnxu2001]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="159">2:39</a> I luv how the newspaper mentions Disco and Platform Boots-two of my favourites!!

[@natherahmed8729]

What i love about this channel is that he is just telling the story without trying to defend the actions of someone. Or misses out important facts to support one side.

[@bojarckhoosemanschnarf5851]

He misses out greek war crimes lol

[@JMObyx]

@@bojarckhoosemanschnarf5851 Like what?

[@omo7002]

@@bojarckhoosemanschnarf5851 He brought up Turks were subject to violence. The reason he probably didn't go into more detail is to not be demonitized. This is the same reason why Hitler in his more recent videos looks less like Hitler compared to his earlier videos.

[@zydrate5098]

If you have the slightest clue of the events in Cyprus at the time you'd know that "subject to violence" is a pretty substantial understatement of the facts. And also it does feel to me as if the writers went too far in being "balanced" that they not only underplayed massacres of Turkish Cypriots but justified them by making them out to be British collaborators (???). I'm not even going to mention the genocidal EOKA movement supported by the military junta in Greece, which based its entire legitimacy on sticking it to the Turks, especially in Cyprus. So yeah. Arguably biased, definitely an inadequate source.

[@bojarckhoosemanschnarf5851]

@@JMObyx forced relocation, persecution of turks beforehand nationalist groups in the south forcing their way of life on them. It is defined as wthnic cleansing and cultural genocide by the un

[@nuryruso4525]

As a Turkish Cypriot it is unbelivably rare to see an objective documentary about our situation.

[@aloevera7835]

generally it is unbelivably rare to see an objective documentary on any turkish historical fact from outsiders so props to this vid.

[@mathwgames5484]

He skipped Bloody noel 1963 and guarantorship agreements.

[@CastGamingVideos]

True, but I would argue even this objective video makes Turkey look far worse than Greece in this conflict?

[@aykandogan9049]

@@mathwgames5484 the videos are meant to be short so understandable. He just talk about main events

[@aloevera7835]

@@CastGamingVideos how so ? pls go on explain it to me because i m thrilled to hear how you came to that conclusion and be upfront from where you come aswell so i have a refrence on if you are a bystander in this conflict or not.

[@joshlesure3196]

Love this channel, keep it up!

[@Slaktrax]

Very well explained and the humour is priceless. 🙂

[@putinpunhere]

Divided countries and British involvement, now THAT is an iconic duo.

[@sadettinarslan5324]

Kash eheemmm mir.

[@oenrn]

There's an old Asian proverb: "if two fishes are fighting in their own pond, an Englishman passed by".

[@thesoundinyourhead1782]

What a nice way to wash an invasion from Turkey!, Putting the blame only to British.

[@billcipherproductions1789]

@@oenrn Thought that was Ottoman proverb.

[@joseaca1010]

@@oenrn huh, i thought it was a native american proverb

[@lordbonney9779]

Could you look at the Yugoslav collapse? It’s quite interesting and complicated event. Edit: It appears I’ve caused war.

[@cow_tools_]

That would need a classic ten minute episode!

[@Makrateli]

that needs at least a return to 10 minutes history format. for 89 times.

[@Maks_Oniszk]

That wouldnt be short animated history or history in 10 minutes it would be flipin history in 1 hour

[@irpwellyn]

@@cheguevara7478 i thought your dad was Irish

[@sealeo5772]

That would be a bit too long for a history matters video.

[@oliversherman2414]

I love your channel keep up the great stuff

[@dilah.2349]

Thanks for the objective explanation 👏

[@adamlakeman7240]

When Britain took over the island the Greeks expected it was a pathway to enosis and the Turks expected Britain would keep to it's agreement with the Ottomans. So neither got what they wanted.

[@dionzeka]

Sometimes that’s the best way

[@o_s_byron2319]

Only britain did

[@emilandersen2195]

Britain not upholding it's previous agreements? Well, rattle me surprised.

[@chemicalman53]

Neither Turkey nor Greece got what they wanted. This is exactly what Britain wanted.

[@jeanbethencourt1506]

@@chemicalman53 actually Britain "helped" liberate Greece in the 19th century with the main goal of "Preserving Ottoman territorial integrity". By letting the Turks invade(under CIA/USA pressure) they got to let Cyprus go without respecting the will of the majority. Turkey got exactly what they wanted: a foothold in an island that they have no business in.

[@notthetypicalcanadian0727]

I knew about Cyprus and it being divided but knowing the full story is quite useful thanks for the content.

[@xoxoRS97]

Oh really what uses are you getting out of this?

[@benc.3128]

@@xoxoRS97 you’re fun at parties

[@lukemutschler9652]

@@xoxoRS97 Now they can answer the question if someone asks them about this exact topic. Duh!

[@drunkenlancer5895]

@@xoxoRS97 I came to ask that exact question but now I get to Shame you for being a jerk mwahaha

[@orenkallay3243]

@@xoxoRS97 you probably don't know what a woman is

[@JemJemandJamJam]

I love Cyprus.I traveled there many times ,even planning on moving there

[@melisasani880]

Hi, do you know what is the requirements to settle there?

[@JemJemandJamJam]

@@melisasani880 you will need a visa.Hmmmmm what else

[@JemJemandJamJam]

@@melisasani880 A permit residence and citizenship

[@dukeofdepressed3980]

Sometimes the best part of History Matters is reading the newspapers. He puts so much thought into them. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="158">2:38</a> is amazing

[@ludogatari9558]

I find it insane that Cyprus was allowed into the EU without the division being resolved. Or probably that was exactly why they were allowed to join.

[@miraclemaker1418]

EU played favorites with Cyprus for sure bending its own rules of not accepting members with territorial issues

[@pentaboss1351]

@@IHaveAHobby So they'll probably never join then (I'm neutral in this argument)

[@miraclemaker1418]

@@IHaveAHobby turkey will never be accepted into EU as long as EU parliament determines the number of chairs/PMs a country has directly based on its population. And tbh as long as they deliver on their promise of visa free travel, I couldn't care less about joining the EU

[@turcarumimperator1395]

"The Annan Plan"

[@B3RyL]

@@miraclemaker1418 If they didn't allow members with territorial issues in, then neither France nor the UK, nor Germany would become members. It's more of a rule in itself than an exemption from a rule at this point.

[@samueldesta2151]

“You agreed, No backsies.” I love the comedy on this channel

[@JedidiahRose1]

I came here to make this comment but I see there is no need. A man of culture you are good sir 👏

[@Halgrenos]

Also pause the video and read the newspaper; always funny :)

[@williamespeset1837]

He didn't say that in this video, did he? I just rewatched it twice and didn't see it or hear it.

[@FoxPonyShift2013]

The comedy of this channel always slaps

[@Halgrenos]

@@williamespeset1837 It's on one of the signs of the British base

[@HistoryfortheAges]

I have been teaching the History of the Middle East for 20 years, this was a very clear explanation. Well done.

[@cagriozlutas7403]

As a Cypriot I can totally tell you that this is a very objective video. My grandad who also was a part of the war back in 1974 always tells us stories and how it used to be when the country was a colony of England and he always says that, it was the best time of his life both financially and systematically and he always says that England took good care of the island back then. In addition to that, as a cypriot young man, i can clearly tell you that all of us, the young generation wants peace and reunification because this island can be described as heaven… The beaches, the weather, the food, the people ( i mean the original Cypriots of course:)).. everything has so much potential yet we still live seperately.. That’s a shame.. For all my cypriot people doesnt matter if you are Turkish cypriot or greek cypriot.. We are just Cypriots with no other label, and i love you all my people.

[@bomontius]

You are just a "Turkish" guy who happened to be born there. If there wasn't a Turkish government, you were going to end up being a Cypriot. And being born there doesn't give you some privileges or some kind of advantages such as "let's unite, we all Cypriot". No, you are not, and you won't ever be.

[@MH-hn5cx]

@@bomontius my guy just said as a Cypriot he loves everything about both sides, the country, vibes, food and wants nothing but peace which as a Turkish Cypriot I also agree with and you came here and said a bunch of waffle attacking his opinion whilst making no sense? fix up big man

[@shamil.khanv2]

Seni kabul etmiyorlar hor görüyorlar Türk askeri orada olmasa yine ilk fırsatta sizi bir kaşık suda boğacaklar Türksünüz diye, halen barış dalı uzatıyor Yunan benim kardeşim birleşelim masalları anlatıyorsunuz. Cidden tuhafsınız. Sizi sevmeyen ve nefret duyan bir millete bu kadar yamanmak irite edici ve aşırı cringe. Birleşme hayalleri kuruyor bir de he yavrum he Yunan alicak seni bağrına basacak.

[@cagriozlutas7403]

@@bomontius i recommend you go and see a psychiatrist and get your psychological problems fixed bro.

[@muhammedjesus9368]

Aynen kanka hamile karina tecavuz edilince türkiye diye ağlamayın sonra

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

From the classic British comedy 'Yes Minister': "We should have partitioned it, like we did with India and Ireland and Cyprus and Palestine" "But didn't partition always lead to civil war? It did with India and Ireland and Cyprus and Palestine" "Yes, but it kept them from fighting *us* "

[@alexander-mauricemillamlae4567]

honestly i cant think of a partition that didnt lead to a civil war at one point or another except for Germany's, and here the cold war tensions of NATO vs Warsaw pact were primarily focused and people were keen for Germany to remain disarmed for a bit due to that whole thing in 1939. Its much harder to fight a civil war with sticks than it is with guns.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

@@alexander-mauricemillamlae4567 There's a few clean breakups (Czechoslovakia, for one) but even peaceful ones often happen in a wider context of war before/after (Finland, Montenegro, Saarland)

[@brandonlyon730]

What better way would you partition it to get all parties to equally agree with one another?

[@revenger211]

@@alexander-mauricemillamlae4567 Iirc there's this part of papua new guinea that's going to break off in 7 years and the government didn't oppose it. I guess it's the British influence that caused the civil wars, not the breakup itself.

[@BudDylan]

Once you stat meddling in the internal squabbles of other nations, you're on a very slippery slope.

[@rws2833]

Fun fact: While no other nation has recognised Northern Cyprus, many nations have consulates from them.

[@krspaceT1]

So like Taiwan?

[@bengu3987]

yeah, that’s how non RoC citizens living in the occupied side can get visas for other countries

[@EmotionalSupportCapybara]

But are they consulates that run under the Vienna Convention of Consular services? I'd imagine they are not.

[@kiriakos.17]

puppet state

[@xxxxxx-rg6qr]

@@krspaceT1 yes we like taiwan

[@rickreid8572]

HAAHAHAHAHA brilliant - I love the 'just kidding' or 'fun fact' - hilarious - hahaha the Turkish guy with the black eye!!! Brilliant stuff... please keep it going...

[@Zappygunshot]

That newspaper is top notch, excellent work.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

Fun fact: until 1914, Cyprus (as well as Egypt and Sudan) were all de jure Ottoman territory, even though they were all de facto British possessions. This was a state of affairs that legally ended in 1914 on the outbreak of World War One, when, partly because the Ottoman Empire had just joined the Central Powers, Britain went 'sod it' and just outright annexed them all.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

This was also true of Bosnia 1878-1908, even though it was de facto Austrian, and the same for Eastern Rumelia from 1885 (today's South Bulgaria), even though the governor general of the province 'happened' to be the same person as the Prince of Bulgaria. In addition, Bulgaria itself (from 1878 to 1908), Romania (1859-1878), Serbia (1817-1878), Samos (1832-1912), Crete (1898-1912) and at various points the Romanian predecessor principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, as well as Montenegro (all from the middle ages) were all tributary principalities to the Ottoman Sultan, despite being at various points practically independent.

[@lhistorienchipoteur9968]

They didn't "annexed" them. They weren't part of the UK. They were posessions of Britain.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

@@lhistorienchipoteur9968 right, but my point is, they were all legally Ottoman until August 1914, when the legal fiction of them being Ottoman territory was ended.

[@kasadam85]

@@lhistorienchipoteur9968 way to show you missed his point

[@lhistorienchipoteur9968]

@@kasadam85 no i didn't. I just like to nitpick on the correct words to use.

[@Kytetiger]

Take a shot each time you learn that Britain was involved in a historical problem.

[@gimmethegepgun]

No. I like living.

[@hawkeyeten2450]

As an American...we've cause a few ourselves too, I'm ashamed to say. Several of them were because our leaders were incredibly foolish enough to trust Stalin (see Korea) and others due to very shortsighted or selfish interventions (Spanish-American War, Afghanistan, Libya, etc.). A combination of stupidity, recklessness and greed by a number of our officials.

[@westechmedia4567]

😂😂😂

[@tristan3801]

Turks are not even native to Cyprus. That's not a problem caused by Britain.

[@gimmethegepgun]

@@tristan3801 Humans aren't native to anywhere but East Africa.

[@nik65stgt60]

Great content!

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Cyprus hasn't peacefully reunified because they've yet to elect James Bissonette for the Republic of Cyprus leadership and Kelly Moneymaker for Northern Cyprus leadership to show the way. Here's some more Cypriot history, the earliest confirmed site of human activity on Cyprus is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, indicating that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC. Remains of an 8-month-old cat were discovered buried with a human body at a Neolithic site in Cyprus, with a grave estimated to be 9,500 years old (7500 BC), predating ancient Egyptian civilization and pushing back the earliest known feline-human association significantly!

[@DiracComb.7585]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="159">2:39</a> ‘laughable, were it not for all the dying’. That’s honestly hilarious, keep it up

[@avataraarow]

That bit was fantastic, especially for a throwaway newspaper bit that’s only on screen for a second

[@Adomas_B]

Imagine having a good economical, social and political situation in your country but then you hear "Fun fact, no"

[@eklhaft4531]

The ending makes me wanna become your patreon just to name myself: "He thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.

[@GloryOfGod910]

Absolutely love it!

[@samrevlej9331]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="165">2:45</a> All History Matters scenes are gold but this is platinum.

[@Fantander1]

*HOw*

[@GuildsmanPirate]

Once again suggesting as a topic: Why did Montenegro, despite being a member of the Entente, lose sovereignty and become annexed into Yugoslavia after WWI?

[@36Feanor]

I can tell you that Montenegro was ruled by the Serbian dynasty of Petrovic, which even before 1878. or 1918. wanted to unite together with Serbia, u ask why? Simple, same people, same religion, common enemies fought and same history. It was not an annexation, Serbs in Montenegro voted for unification with Kingdom of Serbia, just as Vojvodina (today Northern province of Serbia) wanted to unite with the Kingdom of Serbia. There was no annexation, people voted for unification with Kingdom of Serbia. In the upcoming months, to be exact in 1.12.1918. The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians was formed, later called Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Hope it helped!

[@redcrown5154]

@@36Feanor yep

[@36Feanor]

@Imperalist I would like to see this video as well. But I can say, it was really more a political thing rather then vox populi.

[@ninja-gaming8988]

@Imperalist Serbia was being based and Montenegro wanted that spicy money from the west I guess, but and the only thing Serbia was getting from the west was condemnation from genocide and falling bombs.

[@HipFire1]

@Imperalist Serbia hasn't been precisely a cool guy since 1990.

[@fikretoner6438]

Could you please add subtitles on videos. Speech flows very quick and as a foreigner i couldn get what is being said. Nice video btw, thx.

[@della1731]

Your truth just made me subscribe

[@Zakattack577]

Thank you for posting consistently. Your videos really make my life better.

[@mikesmyth8330]

I learn something I didn’t realize I had no clue about every single time you upload. Keep up your sacred work.

[@proturci]

You forgot some points. There was an organisation called eoka which was founded to unify Greece and Cyprus. In order to do that, they fought with brits to expel Brits from the Island. And yes, when Turkish Cypriots helped brits, this was the first place where Turkish and greek cyrpiots fought. After establishing Cyprus and expelling brits, their new goal was to expel Turkish Cypriots to make "ethnic cleaning basically". And so, genocides and attacks to Turkish Cypriots by greek cyrpiots happened, like bloody Christmas. Turkey tried to solve this for like 10 years with diplomacy and wanted to ensure the safety of Turkish Cypriots but it did not work. And yeah, the coup was probably the last stage, Turkey decided to make an operation ri Cyprus in order to ensure the safety of Turkish Cypriots and yeah that's how it was divided but you didn't include massacres like bloody Christmas

[@kaanaktas969]

Thanks for this objective video

[@dizzy_derps]

Man, I just recently found your channel and I'm so happy. So many times I'll find a KZbin video about some historical event and the creator tries too hard to be funny. I love that you just the facts out there without a bunch of BS.

[@jeffbenton6183]

And yet he still manages to include decent humor

[@TheCoolCucumber]

Ironic, considering this channel is by far the funniest history one I've seen on KZbin.

[@hollyrashell]

I've been watching your videos for well over a year now, and I don't know why but the name 'spinning three plates' always makes me smile. Don't know why, just wanted to let them know. ❤️

[@youprayteas]

Amazing video

[@da_ostrichyeet7999]

Great video

[@Elerad]

I knew essentially nothing about this beyond that the island was divided. Really interesting. Thanks.

[@mustafaunsoy]

An honest account of more recent events: Annan plan (2004) would unite the island and mostly end the presence of Turkey in Cyprus. Despite this, both Turkish Cypiorts and Turkish government agreed to the plan with the hope becoming a part of the EU. However, Greek Cypriots refused the plan, since it foresaw proportional representation of Turks and Greeks in the Cyprus Goverment. Greek Cypriot nationalists considered that they could force even a better deal and they refused to accept proper representation of Turkish Cyriots. Actually, we should blame the EU. EU has a rule - not allowing the membership of states with border disputes. However they broke this rule, and accepted accession of Southern Cyprus just before the voting for Annan plan. Normally, Greek Cypriots would have gladly accepted the plan, since it was a fair deal. However, South becoming an EU member, while North remaining under sanctions by the whole world, meaned that South would gain advantage and leverage. So Greek Cypriots refused becoming "equals" with Turkish Cypriots. Only if the EU had waited one year before accession of Southern Cyprus, the Island would be united today.

[@Azoth86730]

Thanks for the objective and impartial insight into the situation, cheers.

[@ConiakCy83]

As a Cypriot it's very rare to see a video about my country and its history bc not many countries know about us.

[@bellamarianicolaou4189]

Finally an unbiased retelling of the events

[@savirahye]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="59">0:59</a> Your sense of humour is inpeccible as always!

[@brettfafata3017]

Can we appreciate how the maps on this channel include the little possessions and border abnormalities that others often miss?

[@onuroguzkaganyalcn5319]

What about BLOODY CHRISTMAS, it is really important to understand events that led Turkey to use military force.

[@theozzy4717]

I agree.

[@y.p.9797]

greeks cypriots died too thus this event didnt target only the turks

[@dillonchavez5390]

In one of my political science courses, one of the book we had to read was learning about the situation in Cyprus. What was really surprising was that interviews from various factions like the Greek and Turkish Cypriots stated that people got along with one another but it was really the outside forces and the government itself that really continues to drive the division. I think it would be beneficial if one day the entire island was able to unite and become it's own independent nation without Britain also trying to force concession in regards to its military bases.

[@freneticness6927]

The greeks and turks both genocided each others populations from their countries. Id you think this has nothing to do with greek and turkish ethnicities you are delusional

[@sink9963]

even the terms Greek and Turkish Cypriots are remnants from colonialist times. We are Cypriots and it's a shame that things are how they are today.

[@sink9963]

​@@freneticness6927thank you that reply bro i agree. a lot of people on this video got the wrong idea

[@savvassavvides2626]

Great video it’s very accurate which is something that most documentaries don’t even achieve on the matter

[@nightrider_]

This is a very informative and unbiased video on this situation. I knew about the division but didn't know that most countries were actually sympathetic to Turks at the beginning. With that being said, I can't imagine what the comment section is gonna look like a day from now.

[@leykimayri]

Yes, because there was a dictatorship at that moment in Greece which actually gave a valid reason to Turkey to invade. But then Turkey decided to take it even further and only to promote Turkey's interests, forgetting about the interests of the Turkish Cypriots completely.

[@TomorrowWeLive]

@@leykimayri how is that a valid reason to invade? So any country can invade another country and do regime change if they declare it a dictatorship?

[@billybiljun3416]

@@TomorrowWeLive Apparently to USA yes, that's a valid reason.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@TomorrowWeLive Yes you can when you have agreements to physically guarantee the agreements. Not to mention it's a hard thing not to do when a majority across the lake is going full blown Hitler on a small minority group and you're watching from across the lake.

[@mr.tobacco1708]

@@TomorrowWeLive Turkey, Greece and UK had the rights to conduct military operation in Cyprus if things gone south according to the treaty of Guaranteé. When Greece supported EOKA tried to wipe out Turkish Cypriots and conducted massacares on them, Turkey used it's right and landed on the island. Also calling this an "Invasion" is just most stupid thing ever. Turkey only took parts where the Turkish Cypriots lived and that is the Northern part of the country.

[@beaverjedi1236]

I absolutely love the little signs that just say "leave or die" 😂

[@stubby5510]

I demand the reinstatement of ten minute videos

[@harveya1a952]

James Bisonette could easily reunite Cyprus

[@kaanyasin3733]

I completely agree

[@MR_Yousif]

🤣🤣

[@Roatsky]

I think to bribe the Turkish goverment to give up northern Cyprus you also need Kelly Moneymaker's money

[@duo496]

Another realm and colony to the Bisonette Empite

[@Vaniego.]

indeed

[@MrDowntemp0]

The fact that Cyprus is on their flag, made putting their flag on Cyprus kinda confusing to look at. Wasn't sure if there was another territory or not. Very interesting video though! Would love to see a similar one on Moldova / Transnistria as that might become very relevant soon.

[@user-nk3su1wf5l]

Your comparison is terrible. Cyprus is a huge cemetery, not some lines in a map.

[@theshlauf]

I like to think they did it so that decades later bored kids on Geography Guesser would have an easy hint.

[@MrDowntemp0]

@@user-nk3su1wf5l wHaT?

[@FairPlay0007]

fun fact: current cypriot flag was designed by a turkish cypriot

[@user-nk3su1wf5l]

@@FairPlay0007 greek or turkish, Cypriot is the main description.

[@hermeneasah7240]

Grateful to you Sir

[@billyoneill7381]

My grans youngest brother (who had previously lost 2 siblings and her husband) died in action during this conflict. That side of the family also lived in the North and had to evacuate down South.

[@herrzimm]

It's been years since I first came across this channel. And it has been done countless number of times. But I can't tell you how much it still cracks me up when you do the "But Fun Fact: (pause 1 beat) No" line. I can't explain it, I just can't help it. Each time I hear it, I start to laugh about it. I don't know if it is the timing, the fact that this is such a political thing to do, or the simple fact that it shows just how much things still remain the same when talking about history and conflicts. Whatever it is, PLEASE keep up the good work and the occasional irrelevant humor tossed into any serious issue. I can't tell you how much that "moment of laughter" actually drives the point home even deeper. It is also a good concept for possible merchandise someday as well.

[@MCTogs]

It's a joke that can apply in essentially every scenario which makes it a very effective recurring gag

[@epicblitzkrieg8761]

Probably because it's a British guy saying it, and we know how the witty dry British humor is

[@edivimo]

The segway "[reasonable solution...] Just kidding [throws oil to the fire]" is really good too.

[@vladimirlagos2688]

It's kind of wild that the British have quietly managed to stay there all this time while everybody else is condemning the Turks for not leaving.

[@Joesolo13]

Small bases vs nearly half the island and active colonization efforts. Bit like why the US's Guantanamo bay is largely forgotten about.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@Joesolo13 Well staying idly by in your military base when a Hitler style ethnic cleansing campaign is going on probably should have been noticed by the world. But it was the 1960s and 70s so news didn't travel as fast, especially not out of a place as remote as Cyprus. If that happened today there would be outrage on a massive scale.

[@emrahyalcin]

@@williamdavis9562 yes i totally agree with you. The world would have been united arround turks so they wouldnt be killed by enosis supporters from 50s to 70s. btw, the un-united state of today is not due to the turkish side but the south cyprus side, since they were the ones who didnt accept annan’s reunited referandum, even though the north voted yes to it with 80%.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@emrahyalcin I'm not sure if the world would be "united" around the Turks but certainly there would have been a lot of outrage considering the mass scale of Greek Cypriot crimes. I also believe the people of the North to be quite short sided in voting yes in the 2004 referendum. I don't think they realize the level of irrational hatred the people of the south have for them. Who is to say 50 years down the line the ethnic cleansing attempts won't start again. If I'm in the north, I want a huge line between me and the people of the south who want me dead with a ton of troops inbetween.

[@lamogio7938]

@@williamdavis9562 calm down , hitler style ethnic cleansing is reaching quite a bit. They tried to displace them so they would have nowhere to go but back to Turkey. It wasn't really an organized attempt to make sure they all died out as a race.

[@jarmoliebrand2005]

I’ve been to Cyprus a month ago. It was the first time for me seeing such a divide in a country.

[@LunaticGuns]

Hi from a Cypriot.

[@ESY__]

@@LunaticGuns im just curious dont blame me but which side ?

[@Delxe565]

thanks for objective video.

[@GuildsmanPirate]

This is one I’ve always wondered but this was by far the best explanation I could’ve asked for

[@badlieutenant536]

I'm Cypriot and in my opinion, this is a very fair, unbiased and thorough video. Most videos on Cyprus omit the role the British Empire had in the fate of the island, and they also crucially omit the fact there were TWO Turkish invasions of Cyprus, not one.

[@yooo711]

You mean 1963?

[@katitobyt]

Have you Greeks ever asked yourselves about why did Turkey invade huh? The invasion did not pop out from nowhere and it had several reasons. Mainly to stop the increasing Greek violance to the Turks in the island.

[@B3RyL]

Funny how whenever there's ethnic strife, contested borders or civil war, you can almost bet the British were somehow involved. It may have been the Empire upon which the sun never sets, but it sure casts a long shadow across the world to this day.

[@yooo711]

@@katitobyt That's true. But Turkey now wants to have a say on the gas fields in the south of the island. Turkey is a two faced and devious country.

[@ausar3852]

@@B3RyL thats how they glow mate. They suck other countries goodies and call it democracy. Brilliant eh ?

[@D19944]

Is it safe to walk around the whole island as a British tourist? Also, how can you get to Beirut or other locations via ferry from Cyprus

[@Kqder]

Yeah

[@adilmohammed6897]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="10">0:10</a> this frame is funny cause there is a map of Cyprus on the flag of Cyprus which is on the map of Cyprus

[@CosmicCreeper99]

The UN division zone should become its own independent country with James Bisonette as Grand Lord. In fact, he should become Grand Lord of the entire UN!

[@littlemacisunderrated412]

TRUE

[@ohio9499]

And maybe then the UN can prevent a genocide or stop a civil war!

[@leeham1405]

How do you know that isn't the case already?

[@Blastoice]

That oink oink bloke should be 2nd in command as he's supported the channel for years

[@Kreze202]

Haha guys he said James Bisonette haha hilarious amiright gamers

[@JM19649]

An excellent meme heavy episode with a number of classic s, "shut up","get out" and "you're welcome" are peak history matters

[@chad-thundercock3378]

Two words to describe this channel Fucking goldmine

[@samwilliams5758]

Me… *on holiday in Cyprus, making sure I’m not in a Warzone*😂

[@theozzy4717]

It's absolutely not a war zone.

[@jackespinos7138]

I love how the United States’ reaction to Turkey invading Cyprus is just “Bruh”

[@Emrex111x]

Well it was more than that. They embargoed Turkey for a while.

[@feyenoord1821]

@@Emrex111x for a while🙂

[@ausar3852]

Us didnt want crypsus taken by commy greeks. Thats why they looked against it from outside while patting them back behind the closed doors :)

[@kasadam85]

@Rapstick long time tbh

[@Lone_Nomad]

there were a military coup in turkey in 1980 supported by the western countries, if you look into the turkish history the past 100 years, every time Turkey does a move, that benefits itself, there happens a coup, every 10 or 20 years... the last try was in 2015 and it was the first time that a coup in Turkey failed...

[@leonbrooks2107]

I spent 9 months working in Cyprus and have heard this story from a few people on either side. Good job in keeping this neutral as it’s a difficult topic to cover. Cyprus is an amazingly beautiful island and they have managed to build a long-standing peace now as a republic. Also Nicosia being the only divided capital in Europe has come up on 2 quizzes I’ve been at in the past 🤣

[@williamdavis9562]

@Leon Brooks People love to get into how complex the problem there is, when you really look into it, it isn't complex at all. You have a majority group on a small island who tried to ethnically cleanse a minority group. The minority group's big brother showed up. Now the island is divided.

[@CDexie]

@@williamdavis9562 Still an oversimplification. The majority's big brother got involved first, under an unpopular military junta. Plus, the British spiked ethnic hatred between the groups during the revolt for independence.

[@Fuad_Haciyev57]

Leon Brooks, to tell the truth Cyprus is not Europe. It's Middle East. And all developments of intercommunal violence show that. But Cyprus is a part of Europe politically, especially after it joined the EU.

[@CDexie]

@@Fuad_Haciyev57 That's the foolish man's politics. Intercommunal violence does not simply make one Middle Eastern or European. Culturally, ethnically the Greek part of Cyprus is pretty much the same with mainland Greece. If you don't consider Greece Middle Eastern, you shouldn't consider the Republic of Cyprus as such. I wouldn't know about the Turkish part, but it stands to reason the same goes for it and Turkey.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@CDexie That's all well and good but in the end it isn't that complex a matter. The why is complex but what happened isn't. You can get into why the majority tried to slaughter the minority but that is an entirely different debate.

[@EuropaYou]

Wish you have talked about "Annan Plan".

[@ainationaldiscovery]

"Your documentaries make learning about the world a captivating experience. 🌎📖 Keep up the amazing work! 🚀"

[@SaracenCount]

I told my students yesterday (Saudi local time) that I visited Cyprus and it was divided etc. After 2 hours, you guys made a video. Were you eavesdropping or something?! 😳👍🏼

[@afinoxi]

It's a rare sight to see an event concerning Turks be covered unbiasedly. Thanks.

[@philippa.4554]

​@aaaa this is kinda interesting, didnt expect to hear that to be honest, as people in greece here often refer to you as turks. how would you want this conflict to end, if i may ask and on whose side are you on

[@Rayitolaser569]

Turks trying to respect ONU resolutions for 5 seconds:

[@ChaseTheCrim]

@@philippa.4554 As a turk my opinion about it:Cyprus is enough away from both greece and turkey to make their own culture.These people have had this bullshit for too long.The bond of the island with both Turkey and Greece is cannot be denied.Thus lets make it a unarmed island that got a council of cyprus turks and greeks for decision makings.Make it open to both turkey turks and greece greeks as its now but make it so it is hard to get guns in there(as you can guess cutting supply of all weapons from the civilians is important because there will be always some people that try to "get their island" by force.)If they are succesful with it, this can open up new ways for greeks and turks to get along and even possibly open both counties to a partnership to that can make them get along each other and be a strong force in mediterranean sea.

[@philippa.4554]

@@ChaseTheCrim I agree with you 100%. And the Co Existence of Turks and Greeks on Cyprus is the first step to good relations between the two countries. Ngl turkey and greece would make the best duo fr fr

[@worldgaming974]

@@ChaseTheCrim the fact that Turks live in Cyprus don't mean they have any authority over the land . Turks in Cyprus are a minority just like every other but with slightly more history as turkey always liked to attack minorities. Cyprus belongs to its people and none other

[@Hand-in-Shot_Productions]

As an American with some roots in Cyprus (or at least, that's what AncestryDNA tells me), I found this to be quite an interesting video! Thanks for the information! Also, nice illustration of the democratization of Greece at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="165">2:45</a>!

[@emrevgs4843]

nice video

[@speedypichu6833]

I love most of the jokes in this video, the British territory, being poor, democracy, and iconic duo were my favorites

[@neph9205]

A very important fact that you should've given is that in a referendum about unification a majority of the turkish cypriots voted yes, however the greek cypriots voted no claiming that it disproportionately favoured the Turkish side.

[@VladTevez]

Which it did

[@bengu3987]

as a turkish cypriot it massively favoured Turkey, and if i was of voting age in 2004 i would’ve voted against it

[@neph9205]

@@VladTevez Which i'm not denying

[@denizinneed6384]

@@bengu3987 yoo ne alaka

[@denizinneed6384]

@@bengu3987 adaya türkiyeden göçmenler geldi mazeretiyle hayır dediler zaten

[@mikethequestioningpineappl5083]

An unbiased history of Cyprus? Rare sight to behold

[@LinuxGamersArchives]

Enosis, also known as "Greek Anschluss"

[@___E]

Why are you saying it like it's a bad thing?

[@aknalemdar9820]

@@___E well yeah

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="89">1:29</a> "Be excellent to each other" Best Bill and Ted quote ever!

[@ilz20]

For once an unbiased documentary of the situation in Cyprus. Well done!

[@BatuhanDere]

@@cobiepal Fake

[@tompoessy]

@@cobiepal cause you dont have to be unbiased when talking about history; you should show the fact but you can definitely pick sides, turkey is in the wrong, their initial invasion was okay by the terms of the treaty but their second invasion and continued occupation arent nothing more than imperialism

[@FusionBeat]

Fun fact my car in cyprus has the place kk974 which basically means kuzey kibris 1974 ( north cyprus 1974)

[@andreap8343]

"Normal countries have a national history, Turkey has a criminal record." - some guy on the internet

[@umay17]

🤣🤣🤣Other countries and even the world persecute each other. We didn't do wild things like the others, we didn't persecute people, we didn't expose people in zoos, we didn't round them up in camps to torture them, we didn't commit racism, we didn't kill them just because they were black. But are we really guilty?

[@Gonzolicious]

Cyprus is a country that has intrigued me for a long time, always wanted to go there! Its a country so rich in history that I just have to go and check it out!

[@thiccupcake]

Sicily and crete are very rich in history as well, and they also have great beaches and architecture. Haven't personally been in crete but was planning to

[@olising8843]

I’ve been to Cyprus 12 times. It is my favourite place. Great weather, scenery, food and a rich history! Definitely find the time to go there at some point!

[@lambros25savva]

@@olising8843 As a cypriot I have to say most Cypriots especially in the outskirts of town are not that good

[@Gonzolicious]

@@thiccupcake while I have been to Italy I have not been to Sicily, or Crete but they are definitely on the list! The Mediterranean is full of just jewels of the world!

[@williamdavis9562]

@AAron Carlos, if you're not European looking be careful going to the south side of that island. Things can get quite dicey for someone they don't consider European in the south part of Cyprus.

[@SirGusto]

James Bisonette could single handily make everyone recognise Turkish Cyprus.

[@For3xampleJohn]

Yes. His aims are beyond our understanding.

[@sirironsights2456]

With his funds, Turkish Cyprus World Conquest is near guaranteed

[@kiriakos.17]

no lol

[@julianius484]

@@kiriakos.17 wdym no

[@dimostychalas9716]

Recognising Turkish Cyprus is like recognizing crimea and the Donbass to.

[@filizaltman5058]

Ping pillow zoom really must know all the fine points of this settled already years ago situation in Kibris.

[@monifgada]

This guy makes the best videos about history

[@RobertoAlvarezGalloso]

I remember the events that divided Cyprus. I listened to the BBC, Turkey and Greece on my shortwave radio as the events of 1974 unfolded

[@gedalyahreback2133]

RECESSION!! 🥳 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="133">2:13</a>

[@demo1644]

Yay

[@Ukepa]

good summary

[@charliepea]

Cyprus gives me OCD problems just by looking at it. It's one little island, the flag of Cyprus has that very island in it, yet the nation doesn't own everything in that land. I'd always imagine Cyprus as just a whole ilsand without its borders.