The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan-Establishment and Beginnings

Origins in the Great Arab Revolt (Nahda)

  • The Emirate of Transjordan is portrayed as a direct continuation of the Arab Renaissance movement (Nahda) begun by Sharif Hussein bin Ali.
  • Great Arab Revolt launched from Mecca on 10 June 1916 aimed to free Arab lands from Ottoman control.
  • Initial success: expulsion of Ottoman troops from the Hejaz.
  • Underlying values of the Revolt ("I Analyze"):
    • Liberation, unity, Arab self-determination, anti-imperialism, honor & sacrifice.
  • Causes of the Revolt ("I Deduce"):
    • Ottoman centralization and Turkification policies.
    • Suppression of Arab identity and limited political participation.
    • British encouragement/promises of Arab independence.
    • Desire to control local resources & future governance.

Military Campaigns & Liberation of the Levant

  • July 1917: Vanguard under Prince Faisal reached Aqaba; decisive liberation battle.
    • "I Explain": Liberation of Aqaba opened northern front, secured Red Sea supply line, and symbolized the Revolt’s strategic viability.
  • Battles across Jordanian territory: Aqaba, Al-Jafr, Sharat Mts., Ma'an, Wadi Musa, Tafelah.
  • Continued push northwards; Arab forces entered Damascus 30 Sept 1918 ending Ottoman rule in Syria & Jordan.

Administrative Organization under the Arab Kingdom of Syria (1918–1920)

  • Kingdom proclaimed in Damascus with Prince Faisal as monarch.
  • Jordan attached as a dependency and divided into three districts:
    1. Karak District → Tafelah, Ma'an, Iraq precinct, Dhiban, Tabuk.
    2. Balqa District → Amman, Zizia, Madaba.
    3. Hauran District (center Daraa) → Ajloun, Irbid, Jerash.

Syrian National Congress & King-Crane Commission

  • Faisal attended Versailles Peace Conference (Jan 1919) advocating independence; ignored by Britain & France.
  • Wilsonian suggestion → King-Crane (US) Commission toured Levant mid-1919; findings:
    1. Popular demand for complete Syrian independence.
    2. Nomination of Prince Faisal as head of state.
    3. Unanimous Arab rejection of Balfour Declaration & Zionist homeland plan.
  • 2 July 1919: Syrian National Congress resolutions:
    1. Independent Syria on parliamentary basis.
    2. Reject Zionist claims in Palestine.
    3. Confirm Faisal constitutional monarch.
    4. End military occupation governments (British in Palestine, French in Syria/Lebanon).

Foreign Intervention & the Mandate System

  • 8 March 1920: Congress re-proclaimed independence; Faisal crowned king.
  • 25 April 1920: San Remo Conference assigns:
    • Syria & Lebanon → French Mandate.
    • Palestine, Transjordan, Iraq → British Mandate (inc. implementing Balfour Declaration in Palestine).
  • 24 July 1920 Battle of Maysalun: French defeat Syrian army; occupy Damascus.
  • Palestine under British occupation since Dec 1917.

Early British Engagements in Transjordan (1920)

  • High Commissioner Herbert Samuel met leaders in Salt 21 Aug 1920:
    • Promised separate administration from Palestine; proposed British political officers.
  • Subsequent meeting in Umm Qais with northern leaders; produced 12-point program:
    1. Arab government headed by Arab prince.
    2. Representative general council (legislation, budget).
    3. Independence from Palestine administration.
    4. Ban Jewish immigration & land sales.
    5. National army.
    6. Authority over bearing arms.
    7. Asylum protection.
    8. Free trade with neighbors.
    9. Secure Hejaz Railway transfer.
    10. Syrian flag with star adopted.
    11. British supply of military materiel.
    12. Future union with Syria when reunited.

Local Governments in Transjordan (1920–1921)

  • Created with British technical help; short-lived & weak:
    1. Ajloun Government (Irbid) → later 5 micro-governments (Deir Yusuf, Ajloun, Wasatiyya, Ramtha, Jerash).
    2. Salt Government (Mazhar Arslan) from Wadi Mujib to Zarqa Stream.
    3. Arab Moab Government in Karak (Sheikh Refifan Al-Majali) Wadi Mujib→Wadi Al-Hasa.
  • Shared traits: tribal, no international recognition, no external funding, unsustainable.

Arrival of Prince Abdullah & Founding of the Emirate

  • Prince Abdullah reached Ma'an 21 Nov 1920 with Revolt veterans; declared intent to liberate Syria.
  • Used newspaper Al-Haq Ya'lu to galvanize support; forged alliances with Jordanian notables & Syrian nationalists.
  • Advanced to Amman 2 Mar 1921.

Cairo Conference & Jerusalem Agreement (1921)

  • Mar 1921 Cairo Conference led by Winston Churchill decided Transjordan’s future.
  • 28–30 Mar 1921 Jerusalem Meeting: Churchill–Abdullah accord:
    • Emirate of Transjordan under Abdullah.
    • Full administrative autonomy.
    • British annual subsidy & resident advisor in Amman.
  • Rashid Tali' appointed head of Council of Advisors (PM) 11 Apr 1921; cabinet included Syrians, Hejazis, Palestinians, Transjordanians.
  • Mandate for Palestine amended (effective 24 July 1924) → Article