- Why was the First World War a turning point in the struggle for Arab independence?
The First World War was a turning point in the struggle for Arab independence because in the end, they were finally able to completely govern themselves. Even though they had their share of disappointment when Britain encouraged them to rebel against their Turkish rulers to seek independence and later on found out it was solely for the benefit of Britain, world war one was the turning point in the struggle for their independence because the Peace of Versailles confirmed their hopes, that they would be given complete self government once they were ready.
- For what reasons do you think Britain and France might have made a secret deal in 1916 to divide Turkey’s lands between them?
There may have been abundant natural resources, or there may have been large reserves of oil in that area.
- Britain made promises to the Jews, the Arabs and the French in the war. Which of these peoples would feel most betrayed after the war? Explain.
I think that the Jews felt most betrayed after the war, because until today, the Jewish and the Palestinians are still in conflict, however, the Arabs now have their independence, and the French are not as affected by the broken agreement. The Balfour Declaration seemed like a promise to the Jews of a homeland, however, little did they realize that it was for the benefit of Britain. The British needed the United States to join the First World War through influence from Jews in America. So Britain was basically using the Jews for their own good. The declaration stated that Palestine would become the national home for the Jewish, however, when they began immigrating, they were not allowed to access anywhere in Palestine, which means the promise still has not been fulfilled, as the Jews only have a part of the intended ‘national home’. So in general,
Page 7.
- Why were Palestinian Arabs angry about Jews immigrating to Palestine after the First World War?
The Palestinian Arabs were angry about the Jews immigrating to Palestine because they believed that Jews were buying land in ‘their’ country, in the Promised Land as written in the Quuran, the holy book of Islam. In the areas the Jews were buying land, the Arabs claimed that they were being driven out of their own country. The Arabs felt that they were becoming ‘landless’, and that the Jews were affecting their life style.
- In 1937 the British government recommended the partition of Palestine. Why was that idea dropped only two years later?
The idea was dropped two years later because the war was approaching, and feared the growth of friendship between Arab leaders and Germany. Britain also needed friendship of the Arab countries so that oil supplies from the Middle East would continue to reach Britain.
- Look at source D.
- What impression does it give?
The impression the image gave was that the Arab fighters were going to do whatever it takes to achieve independence and self government. The flag and the way the fighters were dressed were all part of the Arabic culture, which showed how they were extremely patriotic. The looks on the fighters’ faces were determined, and their positioning showed unity, moreover, the guns in their hands suggested how violence would be their way of achieving independence.
- This picture was found on the body of an Arab rebel leader who was killed by British troops. Why do you think he might have carried this photograph with him?
He might have carried this photograph with him to show people such as the British, who might find him dead, that even though the leader may be gone, the rest of the Arabs are still up and fighting for what they believe they deserve (self governance); that the Arabs are not going to retreat until the British stop ruling Palestine, and the Jews are removed from their land. Like mentioned previously, the flag represented patriotism and that even though they were ruled by another country, they were still a country, and not completely taken over by, and the fighters in the background would be those willing to fight for their own country and their own leader.
- Using the sources and all you have learnt in this chapter, write 100-200 words to explain, ‘Why did the Arabs rebel in 1936?’
The Arabs rebelled in 1936 because of two main causes. Firstly, they were encouraged by the British to rebel against their Turkish rulers, supporting independence and self government if they did, however, later on the Arabs realized that the British were using them, as the British wanted them to turn against the Turkish, as it was on the German side, where Britain was not. The Arabs were extremely angered when they heard of the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the purpose of the British encouraging them to rebel against the Turks. However, in the end, the Peace of Versailles confirmed the Arabs that they would gain their independence once they were ready, so in the mean time, Britain was given mandates over Palestine and Iraq, taking control of these lands. You can probably guess the cause of the second reason the Arabs rebelled in 1936. The Arabs felt ruled over by again, feeling that their Turkish rulers were just exchanged for British rulers. Moreover, they felt that the British were pro-Zionist, as they allowed the immigration of the Jewish, which the Arabs strongly disagreed upon, claiming that they were affecting their lifestyle, buying ‘their’ land, and being driven out by these ‘intruders’. Consequently, the Arabs rebelled, and attacked the Jewish settlements.
