TOPIC 1 Flashcards
Introduction
The Middle East includes Israel and the surrounding Arab States (Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon)
- Most are Arab speaking and Muslim
- Iran was an exception as it was formerly Persia
The Middle East was important in 3 religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism
- It was also known as the “Holy Lands”
USSR: Syria and Egypt
USA: Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel
Origins of the Conflict in the Middle East
Britain had interest in Egypt due to the Suez Canal
- French-Egyptian project. De Lesseps was the engineer
–> it was opened in 1869 and in the 1870s the Egyptian leader sold his 44% of shares to Britain (Anglo-French Company)
1882: Egyptian rebellion
- Fear that the canal could be endangered
- GB suggested a joint cooperation with France but it was declined
o GB sent the army in + then found they needed to stay
o Established a British protectorate until 1922
- 80% of shipping using the canal was British – it was their route to Asia and Oceania
Oil: Britain was the first industrial nation that realised the need for oil and petroleum
- Made contact with the Persian Gulf States (Iran)
- 1908: oil was discovered in Persia
o GB formed the Anglo-Persian oil company
o Investment: how to extract crude oil and how to refine it
- 1914: the majority of shares were held by Britain
Jewish claim to Palestine
1500BC: Jewish people lived in Palestine
2nd Century AD: the Jews were expelled from Palestine by the Romans
- The Exodus or diaspora
- Settled elsewhere as a religious minority in Jewish Quarters where they built synagogues (the Jewish temple)
Jews were often discriminated against or persecuted or massacred
- They were often blamed for a country’s problem
- They were often forced out and made to move
Origins of Zionism
- Herzl, an Austrian Jew living in Paris, wrote in 1896 the book “The Jewish state”
o He felt the problem could be solved with the creation of a Jewish state - The location was to be Mount Zion outside Jerusalem
- The desire was to return to Palestine and have a home there
- The Zionists promoted Palestine as “the land of milk and honey”
McMahon - Hussein Letters
October 1915
Henry: British diplomat (McMahon) – high commission of Egypt
Sharif Hussein: Arab leader
Letters were sent between them
- McMahon promised Hussein that if the Arabs rose up and fought against the Turks to distract them from fighting in WWI, the British would support Arab independence and advise the Arabs on how to establish their government
- Britain encouraged hopes for Arab nationalism and independence
o The British provided with training weapons and explosives – TE Lawrence
- Emir Faisal (Hussein’s son) led the Arab revolt – entered into Syria and self proclaimed King
o Syria was French, so he was given Iraq (King in 1921)
o Emir Abdullah (Hussein’s son) was King of Jordan
Sykes-Picot Agreement
May 1916
Sir Mark Sykes – worked in GB’s foreign office (diplomat)
François George Picot – worked in F’s foreign office (diplomat)
They split Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon between them
- France: Syria, Lebanon
- Britain: Palestine, Iraq, Transjordan
Balfour Declaration
November/December 1917
The promise to the Jews about Palestine, promising it would be a Jewish homeland for immigration
The British were keen to get the US involved in the war – written by Lord Balfour, GB Foreign Secretary
- British government showed their support for a Jewish home in Palestine, but never promised the creation of a Jewish state (Israel)
- Also insisted that the rights of Palestinians should be unharmed
April 1917: USA declared war on Germany and joined Allies
British + French in the Middle East, WWI and Arabs, Interwar Period
Language: Arabic, Religion: Muslim
GB wanted to defeat Turkey (Axis)
- Also wanted to guarantee its oil supplies from Persia
- Encouraged Arab rebellion against Turkey (serve as a distraction) to gain independence
Mandates was a good compromise
- They were part of the LON as well as the 1919 Paris Peace Agreements
o France was awarded Syria and Lebanon
o GB was awarded Palestine, Iraq, Jordan
- Held them temporarily, but they were treated like colonies
French Mandates
Syria and Lebanon
There was “direct rule” and they were treated as though they were French
- There was French administration and militia
- There was French investment in roads, education, communication
Syria: press censorship
Lebanon: nationalist demonstrations were made illegal
Treaty for Syria and Lebanon to become independent
- Blocked in the National Assembly
- Independence wasn’t gained until 1945-6
1926: constitution, elections, political parties, Parliament and government
Head of State: a president, who was Christian
- Appointed a Prime Minister – Muslim
- The government was a mix of Muslim and Christian
1936: France considered the independence of Lebanon, but it was rejected by the National Assembly
British Mandate in Transjordan
After 1921: Emir Abdullah
- Indirect rule - was paid by the British to rule on their behalf
o investment in education – to create civil servants
o investment in training – to create soldiers and an army
1923: Transjordan gained independence
- Foreign policy decisions were taken with the help of Britain
- The Transjordanian army would still be influenced by Britain – “Glubb Pasha” (John Bagot Glubb)
o The Arab Legion
o He organised the Desert Patrol
1946: Kingdom of Jordan created
British Mandate in Iraq
In 1918: Britain controlled the 3 former Turkish provinces of Basra, Mosul and Baghdad
Britain held Iraq as a mandate, but they wanted their independence
Faisal was offered the crown of Iraq to become King in 1921
- He lasted for 35 years as King
- 1956: he was ousted following a rebellion
The Kurds (North) wanted a Kurdish state
- Sunni Muslims: 90% of Muslims worldwide - Recognised Abu Bakr
- Shi-ite: 10% of Muslims worldwide - Recognised Ali
1931: Iraq gained its independence
- 2 British airbases in Baghdad and Basra
- There was an Iraqi Petroleum company – 47.5% of the shares were held by Britain
1950s: more to seize the oil companies by nationalising
Egypt
The Suez Canal was run by the Anglo-French Suez Canal Company
- 1880s there was an Egyptian rebellion which led the British to occupy Egypt
o To protect the Suez Canal: 70,000 British troops were based in Egypt in early 1950s
o During war, a greater military presence emerged in Egypt
1922: Egypt was declared independent
- Kept bases in Cairo and Alexandria
- Defence and foreign policy was controlled by GB
1936: new King, as the old one died (Fuad) replaced by his son Farouk
o If war, Britain would occupy Egypt
Palestine
1917: British troops entered Jerusalem and drove out the Turks
1920: Palestine became a British mandate through the Treaty of Sèvres
February 1947: Britain announced it would withdraw from Palestine and hand the issue over to the UN
May 1948: Israel was created
15th May 1948: Israel was attacked by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq
Arab Jewish riots
The Arabs felt they were being “driven out” by the Jews and accused the British of being pro-Zionists.
1921: violence erupted in Jaffa (the main port of arrival for Jewish immigration)
- Between those who liked communism and those who opposed it
1921: riots erupted in Tel Aviv between rival Jewish groups
- Led to Arab attacks on Jews and their property
- 2 days of fighting
o Damage and destruction of property
o Dead: 200 Jews
o Wounded: 120 Arabs
This led to a British re-appraisal of their Palestine Policy: chose to make the Arabs happy
- Reduced Jewish immigration
- All of Palestine would not be made into a Jewish home and would never be Jewish state
August 1929: violence in Jerusalem (holy city for both Muslims and Jews) – Arab Jewish violence
- Arab crowds attacked Jews who tried to access the Wailing Wall
o 4 days of fighting – most of the Arabs were killed by the British
o 133 Jews and 116 Arabs were killed
Arab Revolt: 1936-9
The Jews created the Jewish Agency – led in the 1930s by David Ben Gurion
1920: the Jews formed their own Jewish Defence Force – the Hagannah
1920: Britain offered the formation of a Palestinian council to the Arabs
- This idea was rejected - believed it signified their acceptance of the Balfour Declaration
1936: Palestine organised the Arab Higher Committee – tried to direct the Arab rebellion
- April 1936: They called for a general strike by all Arab workers and Arab government employees - backfired
The violence
- By summer 1936: a civil war picture was formed in Palestine, which lasted 3 years
They considered a change in policy
- Split Palestine between the 2 peoples
1937: Irgun was formed to protect Jewish settlements
1939: Britain used force to reestablish control and Stern Gang was formed to attack the Arabs and British
- At least 2000 Arabs killed
- Destruction of Palestinian Arab leadership
May 1948: they were to rely upon other Arab states to act and they were to act in the war of 1948-9
- Civilians were advised to pack their bags and leave
