MT 1 Short Topics

Question 1

1919 Revolution

Answer 1

Egyptian countrywide revolution against the British occupation of Egypt and Sudan. Carried out by Egyptians and Sudanese under the leadership of Saad Zaghlul and the Wafd Party.

Question 2

Michel Aflaq

Answer 2

One of the founders of the Baath Party in Syria. He was a sociologist and Arab nationalist. He also wanted a United Arab Republic.

Question 3

Algerian Revolution

Answer 3

War between France and Algerian Independence fighters from November 1954 to March 1962, resulting in Algeria’s independence from France. Characterized by guerrilla warfare, counter-terrorism, and civil-war between loyalist and nationalist Algerians.

Question 4

Amir Faysal (from Hijaz)

Answer 4

Key figure in the Arab Revolt during WWI. After WWI the British made him king of Syria. That interfered with the plans for the French Mandate of Syria and there was a brief war between them. He was deposed from Syria but the British allowed him to be King of Iraq.

Question 5

Anglo-Iranian Oil Company

Answer 5

English oil company which functioned as a virtual state within the Iranian province of Khuzistan and served as the largest industrial employer in the country. Compromised with Reza Shah in 1933 to renegotiate worker payments and benefits. It was nationalized by Mossadeq in 1953 which resulted in a coup organized by the CIA. After the coup the company changed its name to British Petroleum.

Question 6

Ankara

Answer 6

Base of operations for Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) and his resistance group after WWI and the newly formed capital of the Republic of Turkey from the Ottoman Empire from Istanbul in 1923. Wanted to abandon the Ottoman past.

Question 7

Arab-Israeli War, 1948

Answer 7

War between a military coalition of Arab states (primarily Jordan, Egypt and Syria) against the State of Israel. The result in Palestinian Arab defeat and the immigration of hundreds of thousands of Arabs and Jewish peoples

Question 8

Arab Higher Committee

Answer 8

Central Arab political of the Palestine Mandate in April 1936. Advocated for a general strike of Arab workers and businesses, an end to Jewish immigration and nonpayment of taxes

Question 9

Arab Revolt, WWI

Answer 9

Initiated by Hussein Bin Ali in 1916 with the aim of securing independence from the ruling Ottoman Empire and creating a single unified Arab state. This also led to the Hussein-Mcmahon correspondence in which the British high commissioner promises to support Arab independence if Hussein revolted against the Ottomans

Question 10

Arab Revolt, Palestine, 1930s

Answer 10

Protests and strikes were ordered against British rule. The uprising lasted for 3 years before the British suppressed their revolt.

Question 11

Arab Nationalism

Answer 11

Movement that started in the 1800s. Wanted to move away from Ottoman rule and become their own separate Arab State. Some believers of Arab nationalism wanted a United Arab Republic. Arab Nationalism was also aimed for the masses in order to get rid of the Colonial powers.

Question 12

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Answer 12

Put in head of the Turkish Nationalists after WWI in Turkey. Attempted to implant westernized institutions and european attitudes that would enable full-fledged democracy to flourish under his successors. He led the Turkish people to independence and also renegotiated the Treaty of Sevres.

Question 13

Baghdad Pact

Answer 13

Treaty between Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey and the UK. Also known as Central Treaty Organization (CENTO). It was similar to NATO but specialised in the Middle East. Their goals were to provide assistance against the threat of communism. It was dissolved in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution.

Question 14

Ba’th Party/Ba’thism (also frequently spelt Baath)

Answer 14

Known as Arab socialism and was very popular in Syria during the 50s and 60s. It promoted some Marxist ideas as well as the idea of a Unified Arab Republic.

Question 15

Balfour Declaration

Answer 15

British document outlined in November 1917 confirming British support for the establishment of Palestine as a national state home for the Jewish people

Question 16

Biltmore Program

Answer 16

Zionist conference held in New York City in 1942. They opposed the White Paper and promoted that Palestine should be a Jewish commonwealth. They also wanted to move the Jews of Europe to Palestine in order to save them from the Holocaust.

Question 17

Salah Bitar

Answer 17

Co-founder of the Baath party in Syria. He served as Prime Minister however his views became much more radical and he was later exiled and then assassinated.

Question 18

David Ben-Gurion

Answer 18

The primary founder of the state of Israel and the first prime minister of the nation. He played a decisive role in advancing Zionist interest in the 20th century.

Question 19

Caliph/Caliphate

Answer 19

A political and religious successor of the prophet Muhammad and leader of the entire Muslim state and a form of government led by a caliph. In 1924 Ataturk abolished the caliphate system

Question 20

King-Crane Commission

Answer 20

Similar to the Sykes-Picot agreement in that the Allied powers were planning on partitioning the Ottoman Empire. They agree that mandates should be established. They also surveyed people who live in the region and see what they wanted

Question 21

King Faruq of Egypt

Answer 21

He became King of Egypt at the age of 16 and was known for his lavish lifestyle. He was eventually overthrown by Nasser and company in 1952.

Question 22

Front de Libération Nationale (FLN)

Answer 22

A nationalist political party set up in 1954 in Algeria to obtain independence from France. The party played a leading role during the Algerian War of Independence. I remains the sole legal and ruling political party of Algeria until other parties were allowed in 1989

Question 23

Gamal Abd Al-Nasser

Answer 23

He was a military general and was a key player in overthrowing King Farouk in 1952. A couple years later he became President of Egypt. During his time as President he Nationalised the Suez Canal which angered the British and French

Question 24

Haganah

Answer 24

This was the Jewish paramilitary force in Palestine. Later it became the basis for the Israeli Defense Force. This organization was separate from the Irgun and Lehi but eventually they all merged together to form the IDF

Question 25

Hijaz

Answer 25

Western Region of Saudi Arabia. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire they claimed their independence as the Kingdom of Hijaz. In 1925, they were united with other regions to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was also the starting location for the Arab Revolt during WWI. It is also one of the most populous regions with Mecca and Medina being important cities.

Question 26

Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni

Answer 26

Founder of the organization Holy War which called for active armed resistance of Zionism. Descendant of the prestigious al-Husayni family, a prominent Palestinian Arab clan based in Jerusalem

Question 27

Sati al-Husri

Answer 27

Ottoman-born Arab nationalist. He became the Minister of Education under Faysal and reformed the Syrian education system

Question 28

Iraq Uprising/Revolution of 1920

Answer 28

Revolt against the British Mandate however it was suppressed by the British

Question 29

Istiqlal Party, Palestine

Answer 29

This was the Palestinian Independence Party. They were active throughout the 30s

Question 30

Vladimir Jabotisnky

Answer 30

He was a zionist that emigrated to Palestine from Eastern Europe. He was more right wing than other zionists. While in Europe he founded a Jewish self-defense group to protect themselves from Pogroms. He would bring this idea to Palestine where defense forces were established

Question 31

League of Nations Mandates

Answer 31

Was decided by the League of Nations that the countries formed after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire would be controlled by the British or French. The Sykes-Picot agreement served as a base for the mandate system. They thought that countries needed support and weren’t ready for independence after being a part of the Empire for 500 years

Question 32

Mohammad Mosaddeq

Answer 32

He was the Leader of Iran. In 1953 he nationalized the oil companies which resulted in a CIA operation to depose of him. The CIA successfully overthrew him and placed a more Western friendly Shah in power.

Question 33

Nakba/al-Nakba

Answer 33

The Palestinian version of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence. After the war, Israel claimed much more territory and many Palestinians were forced to leave and created a refugee problem in the region. Many went to Jordan who also took over the West Bank while others fled to Syria

Question 34

Ottoman Empire

Answer 34

A transcontinental empire covering many countries around the Mediterranean basin that dissolved following the triple Alliance’s defeat in WWI

Question 35

Reza Pahlavi/Reza Shah

Answer 35

Former officer in the Cossack Brigade and self-proclaimed Shah of Iran who took power in 1921 through a military coup. Promoted degrees of secularism in public life, and tried to create a primary loyalty to the nation and its emerging secular structures

Question 36

Peel Commission Report

Answer 36

A British Royal Commision of Inquiry appointed in 1936 to investigate the causes of unrest in the British Mandate for Palestine following months of Arab strikes

Question 37

Sa’d Zaghlal

Answer 37

He was the founder of the Wafd party in Egypt and was also an Arab Nationalist. He became prime minister in 1926 but only for a few months until King Farouk took over

Question 38

Abd al-Aziz ibn al-Sa’ud

Answer 38

He was the founder of modern day Saudi Arabia and became king. He conquered all the regions in order to create a unified nation. He also discovered oil in the region

Question 39

Huda Sha’rawi

Answer 39

She was an egyptian feminist who formed the Egyptian Feminist Movement and wanted more women’s rights in the country

Question 40

Shah

Answer 40

Title given to the emperors/kings of Iran

Question 41

Shiite

Answer 41

Favored Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, who are considered to be descendants of Muhammad. They mostly are in Iran and parts of Iraq

Question 42

Stern Gang/Lehi

Answer 42

These were known as Jewish freedom fighters formed by Avrahm Stern. Seen as terrorists as they were violent towards the British and in one occasion they blew up the David Hotel in Jerusalem

Question 43

Suez Canal

Answer 43

Major water transport link between Europe and Asia. Europeans no longer had to travel beyond South Africa to reach Asia. It opened in 1869 and was owned by the British and French. In 1954 Nasser nationalized it

Question 44

Suez Crisis

Answer 44

In 1954 Egypt needed more income to fund the Aswan Dam so Nasser decided to Nationalize the Suez Canal. This angered the French and British and convinced Israel to help invade in order to overthrow Nasser and to retake the Canal

Question 45

Sunni

Answer 45

Chose Abu Bakr, the prophet’s adviser, to become the first successor, or caliph, to lead the Muslim state. Majority of the world’s Muslims

Question 46

Sykes-Picot Agreement

Answer 46

An agreement between the British and French in 1916. The plan was to divide the Ottoman Empire after WWI and the British and French would govern the countries. Britain would govern Palestine, Transjordan, Iran, Iraq and Egypt while France would govern Syria

Question 47

Syrian General Congress

Answer 47

Occurred after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Syrian asked what their future held for them

Question 48

Transjordan

Answer 48

Country in the Middle East that was under British mandate after WWI. The Hashemite dynasty became the principal rulers of the country. It was granted independence in 1946

Question 49

Treaty of Lausanne

Answer 49

Superseded the Treaty of Sevres signed July 24, 1923. Recognized Turkish sovereignty over all areas claimed by the National Pact with the exception of Mosulin northern Iraq. The Turkish borders were also renegotiated

Question 50

Treaty of Sevres

Answer 50

Signed August 10, 1920. Ceded the Ottoman Empire and portions of Anatolia to the new Armenian Republic. Dismantled by SU and Turkey’s invasion of Armenia in autumn 1920 and superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne

Question 51

Harry S Truman

Answer 51

President of the USA after the death of Roosevelt. He became involved in the Middle East after the war ended. He was also one of the first persons to recognize the new independent State of Israel

Question 52

Truman Doctrine

Answer 52

An American foreign policy introduced by President Harry Truman with the aim to stop Soviet communism during the Cold War. Financial aid wa given to Greece and Turkey to support their economies and prevent them from falling to Communism

Question 53

UNSCOP

Answer 53

Known as the UN Special Committee on Palestine. They provided a solution to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. This also brought the termination of the British Mandate

Question 54

Wafd

Answer 54

Nationalist liberal political party in Egypt. Instrumental in 1919 Revolution, the implementation of the 1923 constitution, and movement from dynastic rule to constitutional monarchy

Question 55

White Paper of palestine, 1939

Answer 55

Issued by the British in 1939 which limited how many Jews would be allowed into Palestine. It also limited the amount of land that Jews could buy from Arabs. The Arabs were in favour of the White Paper

Question 56

Woodrow Wilson

Answer 56

President of the USA during WWI. At the end of the war he created the League of Nations however due to lack of support the US could not join. He also wrote the 14 Points which contained the right to self-determination

Question 57

Yishuv

Answer 57

The term referring to the body of Jewish residents in Palestine, before the establishment of the state of Israel (Pre-State Jewish residents in Palestine)

Question 58

Young Turks

Answer 58

Political party that promoted Turkish nationalism and wanted to abolish the Ottoman monarchy. They fought for Turkish independence and overthrew the former Ottoman government while defending themselves from allied attacks during their war of independence

Question 59

Zionism

Answer 59

Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the homeland of the Jews. It was founded by Theodore Hertzl in the late 1800s and garnered support from many Europeans and Americans