Part 7/9:
By the late 15th century, the Venetian Republic assumed control over Cyprus. This period was marred by incessant Ottoman raids, culminating in the catastrophic Ottoman siege of Nicosia. Following the conquest, Cyprus was integrated into the Ottoman Empire, where it saw a rich cultural blend yet endured revolting challenges, primarily due to heavy taxation and economic strife.
The Ottoman period lasted until the late 19th century when Cyprus was ceded to the British Empire in exchange for military support against Russia. British rule heavily favored the Turkish Cypriot population, leading to rising tensions with the Greeks who largely desired independence.