Great Powers In The Middle East 1900-39

Question 1

Who controlled much of Arab lands at the start of the 1900’s?

Answer 1

The Turkish

Question 2

Why did Britain have extensive interests in the region?

Answer 2

As it served as the route to Britain’s empire in India and to British colonies in the Far East.

Question 3

What were Britain’s two overriding aims in the Middle East?

Answer 3

The protect and keep control of the Suez Canal and of the Persian gulf.

Question 4

Why was the canal important? (2)

Answer 4

• As it was key in the transport of Indian troops to Europe

- For trade

Question 5

Why was the gulf important?

Answer 5

It was a source of oil which the British navy were now very dependant on.

Question 6

What company was created in 1908 to exploit oil in the region?

Answer 6

Anglo-Persian oil company

Question 7

What do Britain do two months before WW1 regarding the Anglo-Persian oil company?

Answer 7

Buy a controlling share in the company

Question 8

Why did Britain want Palestine?

Answer 8

As it could act as an extra buffer state for the Suez Canal.

Question 9

Were was anti semitism strive?

Answer 9

In Europe.

Question 10

What restrictions were placed on Jews? (3)

Answer 10

• They were forced to live in separate area’s.
• They weren’t allowed to vote.
• They weren’t allowed to buy land.

Question 11

When does Theordre Herzl produced his book the Jewish state?

Answer 11

1896

Question 12

In this book what is Herzl’s key argument?

Answer 12

Jews could not expect an end to anti-semitism and hence seek a state of their own to satisfy their needs.

Question 13

Where did the Jews find their homeland?

Answer 13

In Palestine.

Question 14

What is the name given to those who advocated the creation of a Jewish homeland?

Answer 14

Zionists.

Question 15

How many Jews settle between 1890 and 1914?

Answer 15

60’000 Zionists settled in Palestine.

Question 16

What was “Next year in Jerusalem?”

Answer 16

A belief held amongst Jews that they’d be able to celebrate.

Question 17

Who was Chaim Weizmann?

Answer 17

A prominent British zionist, who worked hard for the British governments support of a Jewish homeland. He’d later become the first president of Israel.

Question 18

Why did the British declare its support for a Jewish homeland?

Answer 18

They were struggling in the war and felt that they needed to bring the US into the war. They believed that the Jews could put enough pressure on the US gov to get them involved.

Question 19

What does the declaration come to be known as?

Answer 19

The Balfour declaration

Question 20

What were the British supporting?

Answer 20

The creation of a Jewish homeland.

Question 21

How did the Jews view the Balfour declaration?

Answer 21

A promise from the British government to help set up a Jewish state.

Question 22

When was the first Arab National congress held?

Answer 22

1913

Question 23

When was the Arab manifesto produced?

Answer 23

1914

Question 24

What does the Arab manifesto call for?

Answer 24

Independence from Turkey and Arab unity.

Question 25

Who do the Turks fight for in WW1?

Answer 25

The germans.

Question 26

In WW1 what were the Brits afraid of happening?

Answer 26

That their supplies of oil from Persia might be cut off by the Turks.

Question 27

Why was oil more important now?

Answer 27

Oil had replaced coal as the fuel for the British navy.

Question 28

What do the Brits try to do to maintain their oil supplies?

Answer 28

Encourage the Arabs to rebel against their Turkish rulers and seek independence.

Question 29

What are the Mcmahon letters?

Answer 29

A set of letters between McMahon and Husein - the sharif of Mecca in 1915.

Question 30

What do the McMahon letters promise?

Answer 30

If the Arabs fought against the Turks, the British would support Arab independence and advise them how to set up their own government.

Question 31

What does the Arab army led by Emir Faisal do as part of the war effort?

Answer 31

Blew up Turkish trains and disrupted the flow of military supplies to the Turkish soldiers.

Question 32

What do Britain and France agree to in 1916?

Answer 32

A plan to carve up Turkeys Arab lands after the war and ton share them out.

Question 33

What would happen to Palestine as part of the Sykes-Picot agreement?

Answer 33

Come under international control.

Question 34

Why do Britain make this agreement?

Answer 34

• To keep their vital alliance with France
• To maintain extensive trading links with the Middle East
• To protect the Suez Canal.

Question 35

Who do the league of Nations mandate put under French control?

Answer 35

Syria and Lebanon

Question 36

Who do the league of Nations mandate put under British control?

Answer 36

Palestine, Transjordan and Iraq.

Question 37

What was the Lawrence of Arabia’s view on the deal?

Answer 37

He felt that Husein, the sheriff of Mecca had been humiliated by the agreement.

Question 38

What does Lawrence advise the British to do at the end of the war?

Answer 38

Establish Husein’s son, Faisal, as king of Syria.

Question 39

How does T.E Lawrence justify this suggestion?

Answer 39

As Faisal’s Arab army had liberated Damascus

Question 40

Why don’t the British install Faisal?

Answer 40

They saw more importance with an alliance with the French then a promise to Hussein.

Question 41

What do the Brits agree with the French in 1921?

Answer 41

That French forces could invade Syria, expelling Faisal from the throne.

Question 42

What does this invasion represent in the Arabs eyes?

Answer 42

A betrayal of Britain’s wartime promises.

Question 43

Who do Britain install in Iraq?

Answer 43

Faisal

Question 44

Who do Britain install in Transjordan?

Answer 44

Abdullah, Faisal’s older brother

Question 45

Summarise French rule in Lebanon.

Answer 45

• The French acted as a colonial power, with the press being controlled and national demonstrations immediately suppressed.
• A constitution was drafted in France providing a christian President and a Muslim PM which was appointed by the President.
• In 1936 a treaty similar to Syria’s was drawn up but the French assembly rejected it again/

Question 46

Summarise French rule in Syria.

Answer 46

• The French acted as a colonial power, with the press being controlled and national demonstrations immediately suppressed.
• The French allow elections but want control of foreign policy and security.
• In 1936, a treaty granting Syrian independence was signed but the French assembly refused to accept it.

Question 47

When do Lebanon and Syria become independent?

Answer 47

1945

Question 48

Summarise British rule of Transjordan.

Answer 48

• Britain recognised them as an independent state in 1923, despite its troops and foreign policy coming under British control.
• Britain sent money and schools and roads were built.
• A desert patrol was formed, becoming the backbone of the army.