The Importance of Cyprus for the Indian Route in the Second Half of the 19th Century and Its Effect on British Foreign Policy

Cem Uncu

Makale detayları

The Importance of Cyprus for the Indian Route in the Second Half of the 19th Century and Its Effect on British Foreign Policy

Yazarlar:

Cem Uncu

Yayıncı:

Ege University

Ana Başlıklar:

Avrupa Siyasi Tarihi | Siyasi Tarih (Diğer)

Dergi:

Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 1, pp.427-467

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

7/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355894

pISSN:

0257-4152

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 In the 19th century, India played a decisive role in consolidating Britains global power. To secure the routes leading to India, Britain sought control over key strategic regions such as the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal. Within this framework, Egypt, Cyprus, and the Middle East became central to British foreign policy, as Britain aimed to strengthen its economic, military, and political influence in these areas to ensure the security of India. In this context, Cyprus emerged as a strategically valuable base for Britain. With the Cyprus Convention of 1878, Britain took control of the island under the pretext of supporting the Ottoman Empire, albeit on a temporary basis. This agreement not only reinforced Britains presence in the Eastern Mediterranean but also served to secure trade routes to India and Egypt. Thus, Britains interest in Cyprus should be understood as part of a broader geopolitical strategy centered on the strategic importance of India and Egypt. While Britain initially supported the Ottoman Empire against Russian expansion, its policies became more interventionist as the Ottoman Empire weakened, ultimately leading to direct British control over Cyprus and Egypt. Britains India-centered strategic maneuvers played a crucial role in shaping global power dynamics throughout the 19th century. This study examines the significance of Cyprus for Britain in the second half of the 19th century within the context of its policies toward India and Egypt.

 In the 19th century, India played a decisive role in consolidating Britains global power. To secure the routes leading to India, Britain sought control over key strategic regions such as the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal. Within this framework, Egypt, Cyprus, and the Middle East became central to British foreign policy, as Britain aimed to strengthen its economic, military, and political influence in these areas to ensure the security of India. In this context, Cyprus emerged as a strategically valuable base for Britain. With the Cyprus Convention of 1878, Britain took control of the island under the pretext of supporting the Ottoman Empire, albeit on a temporary basis. This agreement not only reinforced Britains presence in the Eastern Mediterranean but also served to secure trade routes to India and Egypt. Thus, Britains interest in Cyprus should be understood as part of a broader geopolitical strategy centered on the strategic importance of India and Egypt. While Britain initially supported the Ottoman Empire against Russian expansion, its policies became more interventionist as the Ottoman Empire weakened, ultimately leading to direct British control over Cyprus and Egypt. Britains India-centered strategic maneuvers played a crucial role in shaping global power dynamics throughout the 19th century. This study examines the significance of Cyprus for Britain in the second half of the 19th century within the context of its policies toward India and Egypt.

 In the 19th century, India played a decisive role in consolidating Britains global power. To secure the routes leading to India, Britain sought control over key strategic regions such as the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal. Within this framework, Egypt, Cyprus, and the Middle East became central to British foreign policy, as Britain aimed to strengthen its economic, military, and political influence in these areas to ensure the security of India. In this context, Cyprus emerged as a strategically valuable base for Britain. With the Cyprus Convention of 1878, Britain took control of the island under the pretext of supporting the Ottoman Empire, albeit on a temporary basis. This agreement not only reinforced Britains presence in the Eastern Mediterranean but also served to secure trade routes to India and Egypt. Thus, Britains interest in Cyprus should be understood as part of a broader geopolitical strategy centered on the strategic importance of India and Egypt. While Britain initially supported the Ottoman Empire against Russian expansion, its policies became more interventionist as the Ottoman Empire weakened, ultimately leading to direct British control over Cyprus and Egypt. Britains India-centered strategic maneuvers played a crucial role in shaping global power dynamics throughout the 19th century. This study examines the significance of Cyprus for Britain in the second half of the 19th century within the context of its policies toward India and Egypt.

 XIX. yüzyılda İngilterenin küresel güç konumunu pekiştirmesinde Hindistanın stratejik önemi belirleyici bir unsur olmuştur. İngiltere, Hindistana giden yolları güvence altına almak amacıyla Akdeniz, Kızıldeniz ve Süveyş Kanalı gibi kritik bölgelerde kontrol sağlamaya çalışmıştır. Bu çerçevede Mısır, Kıbrıs ve Orta Doğu, İngiliz dış politikasının merkezinde yer almış, İngiltere bu bölgelerde ekonomik, askerî ve siyasi nüfuzunu artırarak Hindistanın güvenliğini sağlamayı hedeflemiştir. Bu bağlamda Kıbrısın, İngiltere için stratejik açıdan değerli bir üs olarak ortaya çıktığı görülmektedir. 1878de Kıbrıs Antlaşması ile İngiltere, Osmanlı Devletine destek verme bahanesiyle Kıbrısın kontrolünü geçici olarak ele geçirmiştir. Bu anlaşma İngilterenin Doğu Akdenizdeki varlığını güçlendirirken, Hindistan ile Mısıra giden ticaret yollarının güvence altına alınması amacını gerçekleştirmekteydi. Dolayısıyla İngilterenin Kıbrısa olan ilgisi, Hindistan ve Mısırın stratejik önemine odaklanan daha geniş bir jeopolitik stratejinin parçası olarak anlaşılmalıdır. İngiltere, Osmanlıyı Rus yayılmacılığına karşı desteklerken, Osmanlının zayıflamasıyla birlikte daha müdahaleci bir politika izlemiş ve Kıbrıs ile Mısırı doğrudan kontrol altına almıştır. İngilterenin Hindistan merkezli stratejik hamleleri, XIX. yüzyıl boyunca küresel dengelerde belirleyici bir etken olmuştur. Bu çalışma, XIX. yüzyılın ikinci yarısında, Hindistan ve Mısır politikaları çerçevesinde Kıbrısın İngilizler için önemini konu almaktadır.

Makale detayları

The Importance of Cyprus for the Indian Route in the Second Half of the 19th Century and Its Effect on British Foreign Policy

Yazarlar:

Cem Uncu

Yayıncı:

Ege University

Ana Başlıklar:

Avrupa Siyasi Tarihi | Siyasi Tarih (Diğer)

Dergi:

Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 1, pp.427-467

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

7/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355894

pISSN:

0257-4152

Cyprus

Britain

India

Ottoman

EgyptKıbrıs

İngiltere

Hindistan

Osmanlı

Mısır.

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Cem Uncu

Yayıncı: Ege University

Ana Başlıklar: Avrupa Siyasi Tarihi | Siyasi Tarih (Diğer)

Dergi: Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 1, pp.427-467

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 7/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355894

pISSN: 0257-4152

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Cem Uncu

Yayıncı:

Ege University

Ana Başlıklar:

Avrupa Siyasi Tarihi | Siyasi Tarih (Diğer)

Dergi:

Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi Vol.40 Issue 1, pp.427-467

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

7/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355894

pISSN:

0257-4152