The Middle East

Essential Questions

• What were the results of the United Nations’ decision to end the mandate system in terms of states created (locations) and their subsequent problems?
• What was the role of Golda Meir and Gamal Abdul Nasser in the creation of the states in the Middle East?

The Mandate System

Mandates in the Middle East

• The Ottoman Empire is defeated in World War I
• Mandates established by the League of Nations
• Granted independence from Britain and France after World War II
• Resulted in Middle East conflicts created by religious differences

PALESTINE and the Birth of Israel

• After World War I, the Ottoman Empire was defeated and their control of the region ended – the British take over Palestine as a mandate
• By 1917, more Jews had moved into the region demanding a Jewish homeland (ZIONISM), Arabs in the region objected
• Once the British take over, they make promises to both the Jewish minority and the Arab majority
• Constant fighting between Jews and Palestinian Arabs continued to grow and the British failed to create a homeland for either!

THe Hussein-McMahon Correspondence, 1916

"Great Britain is prepared to recognize and support the independence of the Arabs within the territories in the limits and the boundaries proposed by the Sharif of Mecca"

The Balfour Declaration

Untitled Slide

ALIYAH

Despite rising tensions with the Arab majority and immigration being declared illegal by the British mandate, Jews continued to arrive.

World War II- Israel is Formed!

• By the end of World War II, the UN stepped in!
• In 1947, the UN agreed to partition (separate) Palestine into an Arab Palestinian state and a Jewish State
• Jerusalem would be an international city since Jews, Muslims, and Christians all claimed Holy sites there
• After the Holocaust, worldwide sympathy for Jewish survivors led to the creation of Israel (34% of the population, the Jews, got 55% of the land)

What about the Palestinians?

• Arab Palestinians and all surrounding Islamic countries voted against partition – UN had no right to break up a country without considering the rights of the majority that lived there!
• May, 1948: the independent Jewish country of Israel is formed…Palestinians got nothing, no homeland!
• The day after Israel declared itself a state, six of its neighbors invaded (Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) – the first of many Arab-Israeli Wars!

May 14th, 1948

Untitled Slide

the Arab-Israeli conflict continues

Golda Meir

Golda Meir

• First woman Prime Minister of Israel 1969-1974
• Sought support of the United States-began the "special relationship"
• Munich Olympic Massacre (1972) 11 Israeli Olympic Athletes taken hostage and murdered
• After setbacks, led Israel to victory in Yom Kippur War (1973)
• Attack by Egypt on Yom Kippur, most holy day in Jewish faith
• Won war and regained most of Israel’s lost territory

Golda Meir with Richard Nixon

The Munich Olympics Massacre

• In 1972, members of a Palestinian terrorist organization called "Black September" broke in to the hotel room of Israeli athletes
• Armed with machine guns, the terrorists took 11 athletes hostage --demanded that 234 Israeli prisoners be released
• After a failed rescue and ambush attempt at the Munich airport, 11 Israeli athletes were murdered.
• Prime Minister Golda Meir launched Operation "Wrath of God" -a covert operation by the Mossad to assassinate any individuals involved in the 1972 massacres-continued for 20 years

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide

GamaL ABDeL NASSER

Gamal Abdel Nasser

• Established strong relationship with the Soviet Union as opposition to Israel and the United States
• Nationalized Suez Canal-taking back control from the British and threatens access to other countries
• Built the High Aswan Dam-to control the Nile and provide electricity to the country

Nasser with Khruschev

NASSER With CASTRO

The Aswan High DAm and the Suez Canal Crisis

• In the 1950s, Gamal Abdel Nasser envisioned building a new dam across the Nile, one large enough to end flooding and bring electric power to every corner of Egypt.
• He won U.S. and British financial backing, but in July 1956 both nations canceled the offer after learning of a secret Egyptian arms agreement with the USSR.
• In response, Nasser nationalized the British and French-owned Suez Canal, intending to use tolls to pay for his High Dam project.
• The Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970 with Soviet help.

Nasser takes back Control

The Aswan High Dam

Quotes from GAMAL Abdel Nasser

• "What was taken by force, can only be restored by force."
• "We're a sentimental people. We like a few kind words better than millions of dollars given in a humiliating way."
• "A common incentive has made us rush to Palestine, since this land is a unique and special state. All Arab governments have become like pawns moved with no will or authority by the players!"

The mandate system established after World War I was phased out after World War II. With the end of the mandates, new states were created in the Middle East. Leaders like Meir and Nasser sought to achieve the goals of their nations (Israel and Egypt) and to align themselves with the world's superpowers.