Nationalism & Imperialism in the

Middle East

As the Ottoman Empire is weakening, Nationalism movements rise in the Middle East.

After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire during WWI & the establishment of European Mandate System in the Middle

East

Ottoman Empire at height!Ottoman Turks had ruled over the Middle East for over 500

years!Arab Nationalist groups begin to call for an end of Ottoman

Control.

Uprising against the Ottoman Rulers!As other ethic & cultural regions began to break away from

the Ottoman Empire, Arabs nationalism increased!

Nationalist Groups pulling apart Ottoman Turks!

Greeks, Bulgaria and many other areas revolt and break away from the Ottoman Empire.European countries like Italy, Britain and Russia were “nipping” away at pieces of the empire

too.

Ottoman Sultan’s tried to strengthen

the EmpireAttempts of Reform …

Government reforms- western ideas of constitution & division of power!

Change to secular government

Schools to teach western ideas & modernize

Failure of Reforms

Corrupt leaders saw as a threat to their power!

Religious leaders saw as a threat to their power!

Threat to Islamic culture.

Arab Nationalism too!

Arab Nationalist Leaders

Hussein ibn Ali- Arabia With British backing,

Hussein launched the Arab Revolt against Ottoman forces in Arabia on 5 June 1916.

British promise to Arabs independence ….

Hussein Ibn Ali

Humiliation for Turks! Rise of Turkish nationalism.

Young Turks Young Turks

Abandoned Ottoman tolerance of diverse cultures & religions

Persecuted non-Muslim communities; especially Armenian Christians (ties to Russia)

Impose Turkish culture on Arabs

Armenian Genocide..

Turkish Nationalism

Nationalist movements and WWI will bring an end to the Ottoman Empire!

In addition to the internal rebellions, foreign enemies picked apart the Ottoman Empire through land seizures, attacks and invasions…

Finally alliances in WWI will bring an end to the Ottoman Empire.

End of WWI

Hope of Arab Independence with Ottoman Defeat!

If the Ottoman Empire and their allies in WWI were defeated, Arabs believed they

could become independent and rule themselves based on their Cultures and

beliefs.

On May 19, 1916, Great Britain and France secretly reach an accord, the Sykes-Picot agreement.

Sykes-Picot agreement, by which most of the Arab lands under the rule of the Ottoman Empire are to be divided into British and French spheres of

influence with the conclusion of World War I.

Sykes-Picot AgreementSecret Agreement between the British and the French (with consent of Russia) defining their “spheres of influence” in the Middle East if they

defeated the Ottoman Empire in WWI.

Europeans do not grant independence!

Once Ottoman lose the war, their provinces…. Arab lands were taken over by the Europeans…

Turks retained Asia Minor, modern day Turkey, as their state.

Resources, oil, Suez Canal, Naval Security…

Many Reasons..Russia wanted access to Black Sea & Mediterranean Sea, Brit’s wanted the Suez

Canal. Both Russia and Britain gained economic control in Iran.. Access to oil!

Arabia began its transformation into a country ruled by the al-Saud family,

 Also, several smaller nations were born out of the dead body of the Ottoman lands in the Middle East,

including the states of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and yet-to-be-born state of Palestine. 

Mustafa Kemal AtatürkNew leader of Turkey

Modernized & Westernized the Country of TurkeyDiscuss in detail information from home work about

Ataturk’s reforms!!

British also promised The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was the first significant

declaration by a world power in favor of a Jewish "national home" in what was known as Palestine.

Arab resentment and anger at the British & Europeans for not

living up to promise made during WWI!British promised the Jewish a homeland in Palestine, while

indicating they would allow Arabs independence in Palestine!

All of the Arab/African peoples are unhappy about European Colonialism & begin a Nationalism Movement & struggle

against Europeans Dominance/ Imperialism.!!!