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What was the principal concern of the Western Allies at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I?
The Western Allies' primary focus at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I was the settlement in Europe following the defeat of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The future of the Middle East was not a high priority.
What characterised Britain's position in the Middle East after the defeat of Turkey in World War I?
After defeating Turkey, Britain held supreme power in the region, being subject only to its obligations to its French ally. The possibility of annexing the former Ottoman Arab provinces as colonies wasn't seriously entertained by Britain.
What was the viewpoint toward the Arabs after being ruled by Constantinople for this period of time?
The Arabs, long ruled from Constantinople, were perceived as one of the 'subject races' rather than a 'governing race.' This notion was expressed by Lord Cromer, and the conflict between the undertakings to Sharif Hussein and to France was overlooked at the time.
Why was Sharif Hussein's son, Faisal, invited to Paris?
Despite opposition from the French, Faisal was invited to the Paris Peace Conference to represent the Hijaz, not the Arabs as a whole. He aimed to support self-determination, proposing a commission of inquiry to examine the wishes of the inhabitants of Syria and Palestine.
What did the King-Crane Report reveal about the Arab territories?
The King-Crane Report indicated that the inhabitants of Arab territories in Syria-Palestine overwhelmingly opposed being placed under Great Power mandates, preferring assistance from the United States or, failing that, from Britain. They strongly rejected French involvement. The report looked into Zionist feelings too. It was ignored by the Allies.
How were the decisions about partitioning the Ottoman Empire implemented here?
The decisions about partitioning the Ottoman Empire weren't carried out peacefully. Fighting erupted in Syria, and there was an Arab uprising against Jews in Palestine. The mandates for Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq were formally approved by the League of Nations in July 1922 and effective in September 1923. The United States approved them too.
What was the Treaty of Sevres?
This treaty saw the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire so that it ruled almost solely 'those of Turkish nationality'. Temporary control of former Ottoman provinces was established, with Britain and France having large influence. Ottoman finances were to be overseen by the Allies and its army restricted to 50,000 men. The treaty was never ratified and after the Turkish War of Independence, it was consigned to history.
What was the Treaty of San Remo?
The conference confirmed the territorial divisions of the Ottoman Empire. Effective control of several Middle Eastern territories were conferred upon Britain and France.
What was the purpose of the British Mandate of Palestine?
The British Mandate of Palestine was an intermediary ruling of the Palestinian region between the break-up of the Ottoman Empire and the final decision of the British and French to grant independence to the appropriate party. The territory would remain under British rule until the British thought that the people were ready to rule themselves.
What was the significance of Jaffa in the early C20th?
Jaffa was a thriving coastal town that played a central role in the prosperous orange trade. It became a hub for Jewish immigration in Palestine, and the neighbouring suburb, Tel Aviv, emerged as an exclusively Jewish area promoting Jewish culture and professionalism.
Describe the eruption of violent riots in Jaffa in May 1921.
The simmering unrest in Jaffa between Jews and Arabs escalated into violent riots on May 1, 1921. Jews and Arabs engaged in brutal attacks against each other, shocking the British authorities responsible for ruling Palestine under the Mandate.
What responsibilities did the British Mandate entail in Palestine?
The Mandate required Britain to govern Palestine until it established its government and work with Zionists to set up a 'national home' for the Jews. The collaboration with Zionists led to perceived threats by the Arabs, resulting in attacks.
How was the Jews' behaviour in Jaffa perceived by the Arab community?
The Arabs were troubled by the changing social dynamics brought by the Jews, such as industrial strife, work demonstrations, and the spread of leaflets promoting class war and social upheaval. They were also disconcerted by the Jews' conduct, including free-spirited attire and disruptive behaviour, differing from Arab traditions.
What happened after the Jaffa riots?
The British authorities continued to support Jewish immigration in the 1920s. Most of the immigrants lived on kibbutzim, reclaiming the land.
What other problems did the British face in Palestine?
Britain had committed herself to supporting Jewish immigration. Britain had to manage the social unrest caused by the Jewish presence. Britain had to contain the resentment of the Arab nations bordering Palestine.
How did the Balfour Declaration impact Palestinian aspirations?
The Balfour Declaration undermined the Palestinians' hopes for nationhood and independence by supporting Jewish immigration and implying British support for Jewish settlements in Palestine.
Who was appointed as High Commissioner of Palestine, and what impact did this have on the Arab population's perception?
Sir Herbert Samuel, a British Jew and a Zionist supporter, was appointed as High Commissioner of Palestine. This choice led the Arabs to believe that the British intended to maintain control until Jewish immigration substantially altered the population balance in favour of the Jews.
How did the British government aim to structure the political landscape in Palestine?
The British aimed to establish a political structure that could accommodate both Jewish and Palestinian national identities. They planned a state where both communities would be equally represented in the parliament and government. However, in practice, the proposed structure favoured Zionist colonies and disadvantaged the majority.
What was the Palestinians' response to the British offer of equality in the state's parliament and government?
The Palestinians, constituting 80-90% of the population, initially refused the British offer of equal representation, recognising its practical disadvantage to their majority status. The Palestinian National Congress rejected cooperation with the Mandate as long as it adhered to the terms of the Balfour Declaration.
What percentage of land did Jews own in Palestine by 1928?
By 1928, Jews owned 4.2% of the land in Palestine, mostly in fertile regions. Although seemingly a small figure, this was significant as it was concentrated in the most agriculturally productive areas.
Why did land purchases in Palestine present challenges for the Jews?
The land-ownership system in Palestine was semi-feudal, leading to a situation where Arabs lived on the land through traditional holding practices rather than legal occupation. Consequently, when Jews legally purchased land, Arabs felt aggrieved as they had resided on these lands for decades or even centuries.
What triggered the outbreak of violence in Palestine in 1929, and what were the consequences?
The outbreak of violence in 1929 was incited by Arab peasant groups responding to calls for Jewish immigration by Vladimir Jabotinsky, a prominent leader of the Jewish community. In Jerusalem, 133 Jews were killed by armed Arab peasants. In retaliation, 116 Arabs were killed by Jabotinsky’s Irgun group or British soldiers.
What were some demographic and political differences between the Jewish and Arab populations in 1930s Palestine?
In the 1930s, a British census showed a population of just over 1 million in the region, with 16.9% being Jewish. The Jewish population included educated emigrants escaping Nazi persecution in Germany. In contrast, the Arab population, despite being numerically superior, was less educated, less politically active, and less focused on global events.
What role did Jewish immigration play in altering the population demographics of Palestine during the 1930s?
The British committee initially suggested allowing only 50,000 Jews to enter Palestine, blaming excessive Jewish immigration for the 1929 bloodshed. However, these limitations were quickly surpassed. By 1939, around 467,000 Jews had settled in Palestine, making up almost a third of the total population. The Jewish community had established some 300 Zionist colonies on roughly 6% of the land of Palestine.
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