Week 3- Chapter 29

Question 1

Permanent Mandates Commission

Answer 1

A commission created by the League of Nations to oversee the developed nations’ fulfilment of their international responsibility toward their mandates.

Question 1

Sykes-Picot Agreement

Answer 1

The 1916 secret agreement between Britain and France divided up the Arab lands of Lebanon, Syria, southern Turkey, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. The Sykes-Picot Agreement’s secret and imperialistic nature contributed to widespread resentment and disillusionment among Arab nationalists, who felt betrayed by the Allies’ promises of independence. It laid the groundwork for future conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, shaping the region’s political landscape for decades to come. The agreement’s provisions conflicted with the promises of Arab independence made by the Allies, leading to tensions and contradictions in their wartime diplomacy.

Question 2

Balfour Declaration

Answer 2

A 1917 statement by British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour that supported the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Question 3

Treaty of Lausanne

Answer 3

The 1923 treaty ended the Turkish war and recognized the territorial integrity of a truly independent Turkey. The treaty marked the formal end of the Ottoman Empire and the beginning of a new era for Turkey as a modern nation-state.

Question 4

Why did modern nationalism develop in Asia between the First and Second
World Wars, and what was its appeal?

Answer 4

Inspiration from Western Ideals: Nationalist leaders drew inspiration from Western ideals of democracy, self-determination, and national sovereignty, seeking to apply these principles to their struggles against colonial domination.

Disillusionment with Colonial Powers: World War I exposed the weaknesses and contradictions of colonial empires. Asian populations, particularly those who fought alongside colonial powers during the war, became disillusioned with their colonial rulers and began to demand greater autonomy and independence.

Shifts in Global Power Dynamics: The decline of traditional colonial powers, such as Britain and France, and the rise of new geopolitical forces, including the United States and Japan, created opportunities for Asian nationalist movements to assert themselves on the world stage.

Rise of National Bourgeoisie: Economic modernization and industrialization in Asia created a new class of educated elites and entrepreneurs who sought to challenge colonial dominance and promote national interests.

Desire for Economic Autonomy: Nationalist movements advocated for economic self-sufficiency and the development of indigenous industries, rejecting the exploitative economic policies imposed by colonial powers.

Charismatic Leaders: Nationalist movements were often led by charismatic leaders who galvanized popular support through effective rhetoric, mobilization, and organization. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi in India, Sun Yat-sen in China, and Sukarno in Indonesia inspired mass movements for independence.

Question 5

How did the Ottoman Empire’s collapse in World War shape nationalist movements in the Middle East?

Answer 5

• The League of Nations mandates system, established after World War I, placed former Ottoman territories under the control of European powers as mandates. This arrangement further inflamed nationalist sentiments, as local populations sought to resist foreign rule and assert their right to self-determination.
• The secret Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 between Britain and France proposed the division of Ottoman territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence. This agreement contradicted promises of Arab independence made by the Allies, fueling disillusionment and resentment among Arab nationalists.
• Treaty of Sèvres and Lausanne: The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) and later the Treaty of Lausanne (1923) led to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of new nation-states in the Middle East. Countries such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine emerged from the former Ottoman territories, albeit under European mandates or spheres of influence.
• Creation of Turkey: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Turkish nationalist movement led to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of a modern, secular Turkish state.