British mandate in Iraq

Why did the Iraqi mandate bring problems to Britain?

• combining 3 provinces of Mesopotamia meant contained different ethnic groups- Kurds, Sunni Muslims and Shia muslims had to unite them- causes unrest

• resented the borders imposed from Kuwait

What did Britain want Iraq for?

• Oil that was in the region (Basra) (WW1 British occupied oil rich regions inc it)

• Land Bridge - access to Mediterranean Sea

When was the Iraqi rebellion?

1920

What happened during the Iraqi revolt?

• Strong levels of resistance

  • 1920: Britain have 100,000 troops in Iraq

• British forces- have to use extreme force to put it down

  • ie. situation so bad British commander, General Sir Aylmer Haldane one time called for supplies of poisonous gas

What other evidence of resistance was there in Iraq?

• Grew in the military- nationalist officers resented British policies in Palestine and local civillian politicans (British puppets)

• During WW2- Britain put down pro Nazi coup to take over country: 3000 Iraqi troups killed

How did the Iraqi revolution happen?

• Britain arrest the son of most prominent Shiite cleric who responded with a fatwa encouraging revolt against Britain

• demands for independence from nationalists

What pattern can be seen with British rule in Iraq/ other mandates?

• Ignorance on religion: arresting Shiite cleric son Working with elites/upper class Divisions over how to rule

• Arnold Wilson= direct control and Gertrude Bell- informal empire (cheaper)

How did the British mandate in Iraq increase Arab Nationalism?

• shias and sunnis increasingly unite over independence ie. The Guardians of Iraqi Independence (1919) emerged among Shiite community but cooperated with Sunnis over shared aim to complete independence

• Arab nationalism- driven by opposing great powers (British). become united over common opposition of them

• middle class/wc -resent puppet elites working for British (see it as a betrayal) ie. 1958 revolution

Who did the Britian promote in Iraq? How did British association weaken him?

• 1921- Promote Feisal, elected with 96% Iraqi vote

  • after direct rule lead to 1920 Iraqi revolt

• weakened by dependence on Britain- people wanted independence but he had to follow British guidelines

When was the first treaty that gave Iraq some independence?

• 1930- Anglo-Iraqi treaty created 25 year alliance Britain retained air bases but trained Iraqi army

When did Iraq get independence?

• 1932- mandate ended and joined League of Nations

How did Britain retain control of Iraq?

• Iraqi petroleum company- owned, drilled and sold all Iraq oil- Britain have 47.5% shares

• retained British military bases (near Basra and Baghdad)- control leaders and revolts as army there to suppress it

• not full form of independence

How did the Anglo-Iraqi treaty demonstrate Britain's weakness?

• Had to make concessions to stay in power

• Gain their demands through treaties

How did the Anglo-Iraqi treaty demonstrate Britain's strength?

• Maintaining control and influence without ruling directly (cheaper)

What happened in 1922 in Iraq?

• Britain drafted a treaty to establish their position in Iraq

• king advised on all important matters by British

• King and ministers opposed treaty

• nationalists refused to take part in elections (fraud)

• opposition grew amongst nationalists

• Treaty boycotted - Britain had to introduce it by force (using violence and exile Al Khalisi (shiite ayatollah)

• Elections took place - 1924 consti monarchy created

again bad experience with democracy - seen as puppet/controlled by British

How did the British develop infrastructure in Iraq?

• oil production developed near Kirkuk in 1927

• Irrigation, communications and public services all made progress

How did democracy fail in Iraq?

• King Feisal dies 1933

• Elections controlled with conservative/higher classes remaining dominant

  • Authoritarian governments followed ie. 1938 Nuri al Said brought to power who was pro British and conservative

  • bad experience with democracy

• attempt by mc reformers to overthrow gov with military coup= lasted 10 months

Why was Feisal made King of Iraq?

• End of WW1- Lawrence advises British to make Feisal king of syria (Feisal’s army liberated Damascus from Turks in 1918)

• Syria= French mandate , 1921- British agree to France forces entering Syria and expelling Feisal (king for 2 years and betrayal of promise to Arabs)

• made him king of Iraq