Turkish nationalism in Cyprus developed mainly in response to Greek nationalism and the desire for enosis, union of the whole island with Greece.[2][3][4] Initially, Turkish Cypriots favoured the continuation of British rule.[5] However, they were alarmed by the Greek Cypriot calls for enosis, as they saw that the union of Crete with Greece had led to the exodus of Cretan Turks, which was a precedent to be avoided,[6][7] and they took a pro-partition stance in response to the militant activity of EOKA.[8] Turkish Cypriots also viewed themselves as a distinct ethnic group of the island and believed in their having a separate right to self-determination from Greek Cypriots.[9] Meanwhile, in the 1950s, Turkish leader Adnan Menderes considered Cyprus an "extension of Anatolia", rejected the partition of Cyprus along ethnic lines and supported the annexation of the whole island to Turkey.