Great Powers in the Middle East 1909-39 Flashcards
What was Iran’s previous name?
Persia
Name the 8 underlying issues in the Middle East
Religious conflict (Christianity, Islam, Judaism)
Cultural and ethnic divisions
Power vacuum created by break up of Empires (Ottoman, Britain, France)
Sectarian devisions (Sunni and Shi’ite)
Failure of liberal democracy and rule of dictators
Creation of Israel in 1947
Suez Canal and Oil
Intervention by USSR, US and Europe
What were Britain’s 2 overriding aims in the Middle East
Protect the canal - transport of Indian troops to Europe and for trade
Protect the Persian Gulf - source of oil on which the ships of British navy were increasingly dependent
What was the Middle East like before WW1? - 6 things
Largely controlled by Ottoman Empire (Islamic not Arab)
Large British interests - Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen
British and French control of Suez Canal
Persia (Iran) independent but influenced by Britain and Russia
Germany had built the Bhagdad railway - trying to gain influence
Jews looking for a homeland in Palestine
When was Israel created?
1948
What was Israel called before 1948?
Palestine
In biblical times, who ruled Palestine?
the Romans
After the Jews were expelled from Palestine where did they go?
Moved to neighbouring countries - over next 200 years became merchants, farmers etc
Some even became wealthy and even gained important positions in the government
What happened to many Jews in the Middle Ages?
Expelled from much of Western Europe and many settled in Russia and Poland
What were Zionists?
Those who advocated the creation of a Jewish home land and later an independent state in Palestine
Why did the Zionists want Palestine?
Believed it was the ‘Promised Land’ the Israelites had lived in in biblical times
Between 1880 and 1914 how many Zionists settled in Palestine?
60,000
In the 7th century what had most Arabs converted to?
Islam - became followers of Muhammed, known as Muslims
In the 16th century, what happened to Arab areas
Conquered by Turks
In the late 19th century what did the Arabs try to do?
Remove Turkish rulers
What was first held in 1913?
First Arab National Congress was held
What was published a year after the first congress?
1914 Arab Manifesto which basically said don’t let yourself be oppressed and all Arabs should live together in one land
What were the 1915 McMahon-Hussein letters?
`Through these letters the Arabs believed the British had promised an independent Arab state in Palestine
What was the 1916 Sykes-Picot agreement?
Rendered letters irrelevant. Britain and France agreed to divide the Middle East into 5 parts to prevent Russian influence
What was the 1917 Balfour Declaration?
Britain wanted to bring USA into war and believed Jews in America could influence their government. Therefore, they declared support for a Jewish homeland
Who did Turkey fight alongside in WW1?
Germany
What was Britain afraid of in WW1?
Their supplies of oil from Persia (Iran) might be cut off by the Turks
How did Britain encourage Arabs in WW1?
Encouraged Arabs to rebel against Turkish rulers and seek independence
Due to the McMahon-Huessein letters, what did many Arabs do in WW1?
Fought for their independence from the Turks - blew up trains and interrupted supply to military
What did Communist Russia do when they learnt about the Sykes-Picot agreement?
Published the terms to embarrass Britain and France
When did Britain enter Jerusalem?
1917
When and where did Britain defeat the Turks?
Megiddo in 1918
What did Arab forces do in 1918?
Liberated Damascus (capital of Syria) - hoped for lasting influence?
How did the Arabs first use Faisal and Abdullah?
Proclaimed Faisal King of an independent Syria and Abdullah as King of Iraq
How did the League of Nations respond to the Arabs decision over who should rule Syria and Iraq?
Rejected it and the San Remo Conference in 1920 ordered Arabs to withdraw and mandates to be enforced
What did Britain offer Faisal and Abdullah instead?
Offered Faisal Iraq and Abdullah Transjordan
What did the 1921 Cairo Conference do?
Confirmed Transjordan as being an Arab state, whilst continuing to uphold the Balfour Declaration
How were the mandates of 1919 awarded?
Awarded by the Treaty of Versailles which set up the League of Nations
What did France gain mandates over in 1919?
Syria and Lebanon
What did Britain gain mandates over in 1919?
Palestine, Transjordan and Iraq
How did Lawrence of Arabia react to the mandates?
Felt that Hussein, sharif of Mecca, had been humiliated by the Sykes-Picot agreement