THE MIDDLE EAST, 1908-2011
1908 Founding of oil Oil found in Iran, desired by the West but particularly the British who had
come to rely on it to fuel their navy
1915 McMahon-Hussein Letters between the British and the Arabs who offered support Arab
Letters independence if the Arabs were to revolt against their Turkish masters -
who were fighting against the British in WW1
1916 Sykes-Picot Britain and France agree to carve up the Middle East, used to maintain
Agreement their strong alliance during WW1. This would allow them to access their
trading links and protect the Suez (joint operated) to travel to their eastern
colonies
1917 Balfour Declaration Wanting the support of the US in WW1, the British declared their support
for a Jewish homeland - appealing to the large population of Jewish
Americans. Although they had been careful with their wording, Jews took
this to mean they were supportive of the establishment of a Jewish state
Inter-war years
1919 Mandates Given until they believed the countries were ready for self governance.
France - Syria, Lebanon
Britain - Palestine, Transjordan, Iraq
These strengthened the desire for Arab nationalism, the desire for a
shared religion and language
Wafd Party In Egypt, working for independence from the West and campaigning for the
sovereignty of the country. Brought together Muslims and Copts in union
against the British
1920 Iraq Revolt Iraqi nationalists who wanted to have full independence began in Baghdad.
Whilst the uprising was crushed the British only created more opposition,
the protestors being hailed nationalist heroes who stood against the
imperialist armies
1921 French invasion of Britain attached more importance to the Anglo-French alliance and agreed
Syria to the French expelling King Faisal - seen as a betrayal of wartime
promises. Faisal was then installed as King of Iraq and his brother became
King of Transjordan - the puppet kings, reliable in protecting Western
interests
Jaffa Riots Conflict between Jewish groups morphed into Arab attacks on Jews and
their property ➡ 200 Jews dead or wounded, and Jewish immigration was
stopped.
1923 Transjordan Recognised as an independent state but Britain remained in control of
independence troops and foreign policy
1926 Syria constitution Christian president and a Muslim PM appointed by the president. The
French did not envision the creation of an independent state for a long time
1908 Founding of oil Oil found in Iran, desired by the West but particularly the British who had
come to rely on it to fuel their navy
1915 McMahon-Hussein Letters between the British and the Arabs who offered support Arab
Letters independence if the Arabs were to revolt against their Turkish masters -
who were fighting against the British in WW1
1916 Sykes-Picot Britain and France agree to carve up the Middle East, used to maintain
Agreement their strong alliance during WW1. This would allow them to access their
trading links and protect the Suez (joint operated) to travel to their eastern
colonies
1917 Balfour Declaration Wanting the support of the US in WW1, the British declared their support
for a Jewish homeland - appealing to the large population of Jewish
Americans. Although they had been careful with their wording, Jews took
this to mean they were supportive of the establishment of a Jewish state
Inter-war years
1919 Mandates Given until they believed the countries were ready for self governance.
France - Syria, Lebanon
Britain - Palestine, Transjordan, Iraq
These strengthened the desire for Arab nationalism, the desire for a
shared religion and language
Wafd Party In Egypt, working for independence from the West and campaigning for the
sovereignty of the country. Brought together Muslims and Copts in union
against the British
1920 Iraq Revolt Iraqi nationalists who wanted to have full independence began in Baghdad.
Whilst the uprising was crushed the British only created more opposition,
the protestors being hailed nationalist heroes who stood against the
imperialist armies
1921 French invasion of Britain attached more importance to the Anglo-French alliance and agreed
Syria to the French expelling King Faisal - seen as a betrayal of wartime
promises. Faisal was then installed as King of Iraq and his brother became
King of Transjordan - the puppet kings, reliable in protecting Western
interests
Jaffa Riots Conflict between Jewish groups morphed into Arab attacks on Jews and
their property ➡ 200 Jews dead or wounded, and Jewish immigration was
stopped.
1923 Transjordan Recognised as an independent state but Britain remained in control of
independence troops and foreign policy
1926 Syria constitution Christian president and a Muslim PM appointed by the president. The
French did not envision the creation of an independent state for a long time
