Background and Contextualization
During World War I, Britain and France, as allies, sought to gain control of land in the Middle East, which was at the time under the control of the Ottoman Empire alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary. Before WWI, the Middle East was predominantly under Ottoman control, with Arabs having no state that they controlled for hundreds of years. Additionally, Egypt and Kuwait were protectorates of the British Empire. During this time, Jewish people did not have a homeland for over seventeen hundred years, and political Zionism became prominent after Theodore Herzl wrote Der Judenstaat.
Changes and Continuities
Following WWI, there were significant changes in the Middle East. The Balfour Declaration promised Jews a homeland in the Middle East, and the region was divided up between France and Britain during the Sykes-Picot agreement. The British gained control of Jerusalem, an important holy site for all Abrahamic religions.
However, there were also continuities, such as Islam continuing to be the dominant religion in the area, and European imperialism still exerting control over other areas, simply shifting its focus to the Middle East.
Comparison and Conflicts
The region was largely carved into nations by Europeans without paying mind to ethnic divisions, similar to what was done during the Berlin Conference with Africa. The release of the previously secret Sykes-Picot agreement by Soviet leaders furthered tensions in the Middle East, in line with the longstanding Soviet legacy of political tensions and bad diplomatic relations with other countries.
Effects of WWI on the Middle East
One of the key causes of modern political tension in the Middle East was the contradictory promises made by the British during WWI, advocating for an Arab state to Arabs and a Jewish state to Jews. This has contributed to the ongoing conflicts in the region. The mandated regions in the Treaty of Sev are still largely how the modern nations of the Middle East are divided.
In conclusion, World War I had a dramatic effect on the course of Middle Eastern history, shaping the geopolitical landscape and fueling tensions that continue to impact the region today. The impact of WWI in the Middle East was significant and far-reaching, and its effects are still felt in the region to this day. For more detailed information, such as maps and specific information about the Ottoman Empire during WWI, historical thinking skills, and the treaty of Versailles effect on the Middle East, you can refer to the "Effects of WWI in the Middle East PDF" for a comprehensive look at this important period in history.
