The Impact of the First World War in the Middle East
History Project
Summary of “The impact of the First World War on the Middle East”
Alessia, Maxine and Yasmine
7th of October 2011
The impact of the First World War on the Middle East:
The Middle East at 1914 was at the crossroads. The once great Ottoman Empire that had been the dominant political force in the Middle East was decaying, loosing ground to the independence Arab movements. In October 1914, the Ottoman Empire that had been severely weakened due to defeat in the Balkan war joined the central powers in the war against the Triple Entente. The Ottomans had controlled the Middle East since the 13th century. Britain’s main aim was to defeat Germany on the Western front and the core of its army was needed in Europe to fight trench warfare. However, Britain’s economic and strategic interests in the Middle East pressured them into nevertheless confronting Turkey. Britain hoped to protect its colonial interests in the region and have a dominant role in the post-war partitioning of the Ottoman Empire among the Allied powers. France also had its interest in the region and the two countries established the Sykes-Picot agreement in 1916 that divided the Middle East into areas of influence.
Palestine and Mesopotamia during World War:
Britain’s two major onslaughts against the Turks took place in Mesopotamia and the Palestine.
In order to protect the Anglo-Persian oil pipeline that was essential to the British navy, Anglo-Indian troops invaded Basra. In response to this action, the central powers carried out a surprise attack against the British controlled and strategically vital Suez Canal in Egypt. This attempt failed. In 1915, Britain tried to force The Ottoman Empire out of the war by attacking them at Gallipoli. This attack also failed and resulted in a bloodbath on both sides and a humiliating defeat for the British.
In April 1916, the Anglo-Indian forces were surrounded at Kut El Amara a town outside
Summary of “The impact of the First World War on the Middle East”
Alessia, Maxine and Yasmine
7th of October 2011
The impact of the First World War on the Middle East:
The Middle East at 1914 was at the crossroads. The once great Ottoman Empire that had been the dominant political force in the Middle East was decaying, loosing ground to the independence Arab movements. In October 1914, the Ottoman Empire that had been severely weakened due to defeat in the Balkan war joined the central powers in the war against the Triple Entente. The Ottomans had controlled the Middle East since the 13th century. Britain’s main aim was to defeat Germany on the Western front and the core of its army was needed in Europe to fight trench warfare. However, Britain’s economic and strategic interests in the Middle East pressured them into nevertheless confronting Turkey. Britain hoped to protect its colonial interests in the region and have a dominant role in the post-war partitioning of the Ottoman Empire among the Allied powers. France also had its interest in the region and the two countries established the Sykes-Picot agreement in 1916 that divided the Middle East into areas of influence.
Palestine and Mesopotamia during World War:
Britain’s two major onslaughts against the Turks took place in Mesopotamia and the Palestine.
In order to protect the Anglo-Persian oil pipeline that was essential to the British navy, Anglo-Indian troops invaded Basra. In response to this action, the central powers carried out a surprise attack against the British controlled and strategically vital Suez Canal in Egypt. This attempt failed. In 1915, Britain tried to force The Ottoman Empire out of the war by attacking them at Gallipoli. This attack also failed and resulted in a bloodbath on both sides and a humiliating defeat for the British.
In April 1916, the Anglo-Indian forces were surrounded at Kut El Amara a town outside