WW1 - A transformative moment?

Question 1

Argue that WW1 marked the beginning of modern politics in the MENA region.

Answer 1

Ottoman Empire falls, makes way for:
Colonialisation (Truly Modern?)
Globalization
"Political Islam" (Pan-Arab Nationalism)
Women's groups
Creation of Nation-States
New political Organisations
No more "Umma" 
Arabism

Question 2

Argue that WW1 did not mark the beginning of modern politics in the MENA region.

Answer 2

There were revolutions before that had ‘modern’ intentions; Young Turk rev, Constitutional reform, Parliamentary rule.
Azouri called for nationalist reform before the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
Also - Could argue that modern politics didn’t come about until after WW1, E.G. Nationalism doesn’t become a true focus until the 1920s.

Question 3

What agreement saw France and Britain take over the newly-partitioned Ottoman Empire?

Answer 3

Sykes-Picot agreement of 1918

Question 4

In what year, and by which document, did the new partitions become formal?

Answer 4

Ratified in 1923, League of Nations Document.

Question 5

Which 2 major mandate states were assigned to France?

Answer 5

Syria & Lebanon

Question 6

Which 3 major mandate states were assigned to Britain?

Answer 6

Palestine, Iraq & Transjordan

Question 7

Why was the mandate system established?

Answer 7

As a way to govern the former colonial territories of the defeated powers of WW1. (Above all, Germany and the Ottoman Empire).

Question 8

Which new political force came into being in 1920 that introduced a new era of nationalism and power-politics?

Answer 8

The League of Nations

Question 9

What did President Wilson’s 14-point speech about self-determination, made in 1920, spark off in colonial countries?

Answer 9

Revolt.

Question 10

Which commission visits Syria and Palestine to ask how they see their future (leading to anticipation from the working-classes) Inc. Quote.

Answer 10

The King-Crane Commission

“All Syria should come under a single mandate, led by a power desired by the people.”

Question 11

At what point was it decided that the mandate states would cease to be ruled by France and Britain?

Answer 11

When they were ready to self-govern.

Question 12

There were 3 classes of mandate, dependent on how ready they were to self-govern. Which mandates were in class A?

Answer 12

Iraq, Palestine, Transjordan, Syria & Lebanon.

Question 13

Name the specific pledges that Britain makes during the war to demonstrate what it aims to achieve.

Answer 13

1) The Hussein-McMahon correspondence (1915-1916). Promise to Bin Ali for his own region for the Jews (angers many as it encourages Zionism). In return for their support, Ali launches a revolt against the Ottomans during the war. Hashemite Alliance.
2) The Balfour Declaration (1917). Britain used Russia’s and the U.S’s large Jewish populations to gain support for its actions.
3) The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916). Undermines the promises that Britain made to back nationalist goals in the region, as it carves up the mandate territories with France. Bolsheviks make this public and soon the Arab political classes are angered about Britain and France’s conflicting interests.

Question 14

How did Egypt react to their request for independence being turned-down in 1919?

Answer 14

By revolting.

Question 15

Name the 6 major protest movements which sprung up over the region in the period of 1920 to 1939 which threatened British and French rule.

Answer 15

1) Iraq (1920)
2) Syria (1920)
3) Transjordan (1921)
4) Palestine (1921)
5) Syria (1925-1927)
6) Palestine (1936-1939)

Question 16

What makes Iraq particularly hard to govern?

Answer 16

Its vast religions - Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, and Kurds. (Britain attempted to control an Arab leader in Iraq as to stay in control)

Question 17

What is the era coined as after WW1?

Answer 17

The era of ‘Frustrated Political ambition’