1. Legacies of Imperialism in the Middle East

2. Definition Imperialism –The practice of one country extending its control over the territory, political system and/or economic life of another country

3. Geo-strategic Importance Pre-20 th century, the Middle East was important to the British to secure trade routes During the Second Industrial Revolution (late 19 th century) the energy focus of industry shifted from coal to oil and from textiles to chemicals. –Germany builds the Baghdad to Berlin RR in order to transport oil from ME

4. Geo-strategic importance The British had several concerns about the territory in the ME –Turkeys entry into WWI left them vulnerable to conquest by Russia –Despite some successes, the British and French campaign vs. Ottoman Empire did not go as quickly as expected (Gallipoli) –By 1915, the British were anxious to find allies in the area and encourage Arabs to revolt v. Ottomans

5. Arab Revolt Sharif Hussein –Guardian of the holy places in Mecca –Sought British help to resistance to gain autonomy Hussein-McMahon Correspondence (1915-16) –British inform Hussein that in return for Arab assistance in fighting the Turks: The British would defend the Arabs against any external aggression Protect Hussein against any internal threats Support the idea that an Arab of true race would become a caliph in Mecca (presumably Hussein) Even at the time, British officials knew they would be reluctant to give Arab lands autonomy after the war. McMahon promised more than he intended to fulfill.

6. Arab Revolt (cont.) The charge of the Arab revolt was given to Husseins 2 sons (Faysal and Abdullah), but the planning was heavily influenced by Lawrence of Arabia By 1917 the Arab revolt has become a large success

7. Broken Promises British and French promise independence to Arabs who help defeat Ottomans in WWI Promise a state to Jews Sykes-Picot Agreement 1916– divide ME between B and F Balfour Declaration

8. Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) Both the British and the French wanted significant areas of influence in the ME after the war Georges Picot (a French diplomat with experience in the ME) and Mark Sykes (a British member of Parliament) sat down and divvied the ME up (in contrast the Hussein- McMahon correspondence British intended to adhere to the agreement with Hussein only inasmuch as it took away from the French area of influence

9. Balfour Declaration (1917) The British initially saw Palestine as having little strategic value Toward the end of 1916 a new, pro-Zionist, government came to power in Britain Concern that Russias internal problems might drive it out of the war led the British to support Zionism in order to persuade Russian Jews to support the war effort The British also believed that support for Zionism would lead to American Jews support for entering the war (remember, many American Jews had fled there from Russia … they were none too sympathetic with the Russian cause) November 2, 1917, the British issued the Balfour Declaration which promised Jews a national homeland in Palestine

10. Hussein Of course Hussein is upset both when he learns of Sykes-Picot, and the Balfour Declaration Sykes assures Hussein there is nothing to worry about The French will be involved only as advisors (much the way the British were in Iraq) Britains support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine will be only in as far as is compatible with the freedom of the existing population, both economic and political …

11. OUTCOME At the end of the war, the British were in a much better position than the French Palestine became a British mandate (instead of an international territory) Faysal was installed as the King of Syria and the French were kept out

12. Drawing Lines on Maps Europeans see resources not people Benefits and drawbacks of multiethnic states –Instability –Weak nationalism

13. Indirect Rule Colonial nations recruit native rulers Serve external rather than internal interests Corruption No organically grown leaders Instability

14. Monocultural Economies Colonial nations direct all labor and investment to a single resource, used for export Economy is never diversified People are poor and dependent on government Highly unstable

15. Legacies Resentment toward the West Territorial borders that do not reflect ethnic realties Corrupt leaders Oil-based economies Weak secular institutions, powerful religious ones