This provides a fully comprehensive timeline for OCR A level History A The Middle East 1908–2011. It is given in chronological order with markers to demonstrate when events span over multiple years. Helps with deepening understanding of this challenging unit.
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
, so while it allowed elections, it maintained control of foreign policy and
security. The French built roads and schools, where it promoted the French
language
1929 Tensions in Palestine 100,000 more Jews in a decade. Tensions around Jerusalem killed over
100 on both sides
1928 Muslim Brotherhood Founded within Egypt with the hopes of expelling the British. Calling for the
renewed faith in Islam, it appealed to the urban masses. It’s schools taught
traditional Muslim learning
Attaturk constitution He worked to create a secular state, abolishing Islamic schools and courts
of law. The country was ruled by the Grand National Assembly however the
country was highly authoritarian and set on the modernisation of Turkey.
1932 Iraq independence Was not fully independent as Britain retained control of foreign policy and
two air bases. It also controlled oil through 47.5% shares of the Iraqi
Petroleum Company
1933 King Faisal died His son became the new king of Iraq however he did not have the same
authority and the army slowly got more control. During this time the country
saw a lot of economic growth and improvements in education however
there was widespread discontent.
1936 Arab Rebellion The expanding Zionist settlements meant many Palestinian peasants (90%
of the population) were becoming landless. The Jewish Agency provided
highly effective leadership but the Arabs were divided leading to the
formation of the Arab Higher Committee who called for a general strike in
the hopes of changing ‘pro-Zionist’ policy. The strike was largely
unsuccessful as the strikers were replaced with Jewish workers.
There was widespread fighting in the countryside that cost the lives of
thousands. Arab leaders were punished and the British helped train the
Haganah - Jewish Defence Force
1937 Partition plan The Peel Commission concluded that collaboration between the Arabs and
the Jews was impossible and recommended the creation of two separate
states. Whilst the Jewish Agency agreed many, like Ben-Gurion, wanted
the whole state
1938 Nuri al-Said Became the PM of Israel. He was pro-British and conservative
1939 White Paper Britain’s desire for an independent Palestine in 10 years and their
limitations on immigration. 10,000 Jews allowed in for each of the next five
years, with 25,000 refugees. This angered the Jewish Agency, also went
back on having a separate Jewish state
Interwar years - Britain was the dominant power, with troops controlling the land and the navy patrolling
the seas to safeguard access to Iraqi oil fields. Their position was vulnerable in the face of growing
nationalist opposition
1939 Britain discarded 450,000 Jews in Palestine, made Arabs afraid of losing their country. The
plans British planned to restrict immigration and land sales but the backlash
meant that this plan was discarded.
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