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Propaganda and the Cyprus Revolt: A Case Study in Political Communication

Allen Parker

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Published in Propaganda And The Cyprus Revolt: Rebellion Counter Insurgency And The Media 1955 59

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The Cyprus Revolt was a major political uprising that took place on the island of Cyprus from 1955 to 1959. The revolt was waged by Greek Cypriots against British rule, and it was marked by a sustained campaign of propaganda by both sides. This article examines the role of propaganda in the Cyprus Revolt, and it analyzes the different types of propaganda used by the British and Greek Cypriots. The article also explores the impact that propaganda had on the course of the revolt.

Cyprus was a British colony from 1878 to 1960. The British ruled Cyprus with a heavy hand, and they were often seen as oppressive by the Greek Cypriot majority. In the early 1950s, the Greek Cypriots began to organize a campaign for self-determination. The British responded by cracking down on the Greek Cypriots, and this led to the outbreak of the Cyprus Revolt in 1955.

The British used a variety of propaganda techniques to suppress the Cyprus Revolt. These techniques included:

Propaganda and the Cyprus Revolt: Rebellion, Counter-Insurgency and the Media, 1955-59

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Coercion: The British used coercion to intimidate the Greek Cypriots and to prevent them from supporting the revolt. This included the use of violence, torture, and imprisonment.
Censorship: The British censored the media in Cyprus to prevent the spread of pro-revolt propaganda. This included banning newspapers, radio stations, and other forms of media.
Propaganda: The British produced and disseminated their own propaganda to counter the pro-revolt propaganda of the Greek Cypriots. This propaganda was designed to portray the British as the legitimate rulers of Cyprus and to discredit the Greek Cypriots as terrorists.

The Greek Cypriots also used a variety of propaganda techniques to promote the revolt. These techniques included:

Persuasion: The Greek Cypriots used persuasion to convince the British and the international community that their cause was just. This included using speeches, pamphlets, and other forms of media to argue their case.
Mobilization: The Greek Cypriots used mobilization to rally support for the revolt. This included organizing demonstrations, strikes, and other forms of collective action.
Propaganda: The Greek Cypriots produced and disseminated their own propaganda to promote the revolt. This propaganda was designed to portray the Greek Cypriots as the victims of British oppression and to stir up sympathy for their cause.

The propaganda used by both the British and the Greek Cypriots had a significant impact on the course of the Cyprus Revolt. The British propaganda was successful in suppressing the revolt in the short term, but it ultimately failed to win over the hearts and minds of the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot propaganda was more successful in rallying support for the revolt, and it helped to keep the revolt alive for four years.

The Cyprus Revolt was a complex conflict that was fought on many fronts, including the propaganda front. The British and Greek Cypriots both used a variety of propaganda techniques to promote their respective causes. The propaganda used by both sides had a significant impact on the course of the revolt, and it helped to shape the outcome of the conflict.