IMpact of WW1 and documents Flashcards
What was the situation in Middle East in 1914?
Changed dramatically when Ottoman Empire allied itself with Germany in WW1.
What did Britain do on outbreak of war?
declared protectorate over Egypt. Egypt provided base for an attack on the Ottomans through Palestine and Syria.
What did British believe would give them a chance of greater success in war?
British believed chance of success greater if enlist aid of Arabs in Egypt to revolt against their Ottoman rulers at same time British fighting.
What was the first document called to persuade Arabs support of British against Ottomans?
The McMahon - Hussein Correspondence, Oct 1915
What was the McMahon-Hussein correspondence?
an agreement that seemed to promise British support for Arab independence if Arabs assisted in overthrow of the Turks resulting from exchange of letters between British High Commissioner in Cairo, Sir Henry McMahon and Sharif of Mecca, Amir Hussein.
When did Sharif Hussein declare war on Turkey?
1916, his son leading the Arab army
Who was assisting the Prince in the leading of Arab army?
British officer, T.E. Lawrence, important role in negotiation and organising Arab attacks on Ottomans. MOstly blowing up Turkish trains to interfere with supply of guns to Turkish troops.
What was happening at around the same time the Arab army was fighting the Turks?
May 1916, Britain, France and Russia signed a secret agreement call the Sykes-Picot agreement, named after negotiators, Sir Mark Sykes of Britain and Georges Picot of France.
What was the Sykes-Picot agreement?
contradicted the McMahon-Hussein correspondence, dividing Middle East with Britain, France and Russia (Russia later excluded when withdrew from WW1 in 1917), leaving region to France and Britain alone.
Arabia was to be the independent state, while Palestine under joint control of Britain, France and Russia.
What did Russia do when excluded from Sykes-Picot Agreement?
November, 1917, Russia published terms to embarrassment of Britain and annoyance of Arabs, betrayed by hopes to obtain more region, including Palestine as independent Arab territory
What was happening a few days before the publication of the Sykes Picot agreement?
British Foreign Secretary, Lord Balfour, confused situation by writing letter to Lord Rothschild, prominent British Zionist, in which British gov promise support for establishment of Jewish national home in Palestine. = The Balfour Declaration Nov 1917
What was the motive of the Balfour Declaration of Nov 1917?
- British eager to avoid any attempt by Germans to win support for Jewish communities for war effort
- help gain Jewish support, especially in US which had just entered war
- there would be Jewish population in Palestine who would support Britain’s interests in the Suez Canal and route to India
What did a close analysis of the Balfour Declaration show?
- says ‘a’ national home, not ‘the’ national home
- recognises ‘civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine’ = no mention of Arabs and their political rights
- the last phrase meant to placate assimilated Jews, who feared Jewish homeland could be used as excuse to expel them from the countries in which they had chosen to live in.
