Partition as a Political Tool
The Growth of Arab Nationalism
What is Arab nationalism?
• Prior to the 19th Century, most of the Ottoman Empire did not
see themselves as a group or nation.
• Arab Nationalism developed when people started to recognize
that the Arabs had a shared history, culture, and language.
• Pride:
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Religion
Culture
Language
History
• Independence from the Ottoman Empire
What were some of the reasons for its growth
in the late 1800s and early 1900s?
• Collapse of the Ottoman Empire
• Promise of national independence
• Semi-independent monarchy in Saudi
Arabia
Who was one of the most prominent Arab
leaders? What were his ties to Islam?
• Sharif Hussein
• Desendant of Muhammad
• Guardian of Islam’s holiest cities Mecca
and Medina
• Led semi-independent monarchy in
Saudi Arabia
How did European powers attempt to use
Arab nationalism to their advantage during
WWI?
•Promised by Britain and Germany, if they
attack Ottoman Empire
– national independence
– Land
• Germany wanted the help of Hussein to
undermine British and Russian interests in
Persia and Iraq.
– The British wanted their help in fighting off
the Ottoman Turks.
What was the main idea of the McMahon Hussein correspondence in 1915?
• Sir Henry McMahon (British Rep) wrote 10
letters to Hussein, promising Arab control of
the territories that they would gain from the
Ottoman Empire.
• The map was obscure, and it was not 100%
clear that Palestine was included in the deal.
• The Arabs fought against the Ottoman Turks,
thinking they were promised Arab control over
the areas that are going to be liberated from
the Ottoman Empire
What impact did the Sykes-Picot agreement
have on the region?
• Middle East was divided between
Britain and France
– France gained control of modern Syria and
Lebanon.
– Britain gained control over Mesopotamia.
– Palestine would remain in international
control.
– There was no mention of land for an
independent Arab State.
What impact did the Sykes-Picot agreement
have on the region?
• Middle East was divided between
Britain and France
– France gained control of modern Syria and
Lebanon.
– Britain gained control over Mesopotamia.
– Palestine would remain in international
control.
– There was no mention of land for an
independent Arab State.
Sykes-Picot Map