26-4 Imperialism and Nationalism

Focus Questions What challenges did the Ottoman Empire face? How did Imperialism spur the growth of Nationalism in the Middle East? What reforms did nationalist leaders introduce?

Set Up Issues of Imperialism and the influence of Europe in the Middle East can be traced back to 1869 –Why? The building of the Suez Canal –Links Mediterranean and Red Seas –Cuts thousands of miles off the voyage between Europe and Asia Imperialism sparks a trend towards Nationalism in many Middle Eastern Countries who want to rule themselves

Areas that saw a rise in Nationalism Ottoman Empire –Republic of Turkey Egypt Iran Palestine

Challenges to Ottoman Power Imperialism pressed heavily on the Ottomans in the 1700’s and 1800’s –Russia and Austria-Hungary slowly move into their borders in Europe National Groups inside the Empire are also looking for independence –Greeks – first in 1832 –Serbs –Romanians –Bulgarians Russia backed these groups hoping to weaken the empire while Britain and France tried to hold it together

Ottoman reform Efforts Sultans try to strengthen the empire during the 1800’s –Introduce reforms to modernize government and army –Set up secular schools to teach science and technology Problems with this: –Refuse reformers demands for constitution –Changes opposed by those in position to lose power Corrupt officials Religious leaders

Turkish Nationalism Late 1800’s Young Turks form –Revolutionary group of young army officers –Goal: to strengthen empire and end western imperialism –Action: Overthrow sultan and replace him with a new one who will obey their demands –Policy: Rise of Turkish Nationalism No tolerance of diverse cultures and religions –Persecute Non-Muslim communities –Commit genocide against Armenian Christians (seen as supporting Russia) –Also do not support Arab Muslims »Try to force Turkish language along with other mistreatments »Fuels Arab nationalism

World War I and the Ottoman Empire On Losing Side with Germans against France, Britain and Russia Treaty of Versailles in 1919 strips them of Arab Provinces Given to other nations as mandates, administered, but not owned by member of League of Nations –Britain Receives: Iraq Transjordan Palestine –France Recieves: Syria Lebanon

Republic of Turkey Begins with the Rise of general Mustafa Kemal who seized back the land of Anatolia for the Turks after Greece seized it By 1923 Kemal overthrows the Sultan, abolishes the Ottoman Empire and makes Turkey a republic –Takes the name Kemal Ataturk, “Father of the Turks”

Attaturk’s reforms Continues reforms begun under Ottomans as President of Turkey Goal: to make Turkey a modern secular state Actions: –Uses govt. funds to build industries –Separation of Religion and Government –System of Public Schools established separate from religious schools –Adopts Western Calendar and Metric System –Replaces Arabic script with Western Alphabet –Encourages Western Style Clothing Men no fez, women no veil Reforms supported by nationalists and feared by many devout Muslims

The Rise of Modern Egypt Egypt involved in competition between France and Britain –Both want to build a canal at the Isthmus of Suez and control trade between Europe and Asia –1798 Napoleon invades, but the British and Ottomans team up to force retreat French influence remains high –1805 Muhammad Ali become Governor of Egypt (Under Ottoman Control) Invites French in to train Egyptians in Military and Science Introduces new farming methods Improves irrigation Encourages growth of cash crops –Ali’s Successors continue this trend, but rack of debt to Europe allowing France and Britain to stick their noses in Leads to French Getting Right to build Suez Canal Ismail, now ruler, forced to sell his shares to the British Debt allows Britain and France to take complete control of the Economy –This leads to rebellions which re crushed by the British »Occupy in 1882 –Eventually Egypt gains independence in 1922 »Suez Canal not given back until 1956

Struggle for Iran Russia and Britain both acquire spheres of influence in Iran –Both want access to Persian Gulf Shahs who rule Iran to weak at this time to stop European Expansion By early 1900’s Iranian nationalists demand reforms –1925 Reza Khan seizes power and makes himself shah Attempts to build modern industrial state and end foreign control –Builds roads and factories –Modernizes army –Reduces power of the clergy Leads to more of a Western State

Arab Nationalism Arabs help British fight Ottomans in WWI in hopes of getting help establishing their own kingdoms Many felt betrayed as only Saudi Arabia became an independent state after WWI Demands continues throughout the 1920’s and 30’s but were slow to be answered –Europeans want oil –Eventually some gain self rule Iraq Lebanon Syria- 1945

Conflict Over Palestine British mandate of Palestine becomes center of conflict between Jewish and Arab nationalists in 1920’s and 30’s –Zionism and the Modern Jewish State Begins in late 1800’s Should be reformed in Palestine where Jews had been dispersed from in 70 CE Fueled by Anti-Semitism growing in Russia and Eastern Europe 1897 Theodore Herzl forms organization to promote Zionism –Begins migration of Jews to Palestine –1917 Britain issues Balfour Declaration clearing the way for establishment of a national home for Jewish people in Palestine

Conflict Over Palestine The Arab Response –Those who existed in Palestine before the Zionist movement –As immigration increased with increased anti- Semitism in the 1930’s in Europe Zionist groups helped by land from Arabs who lived in cities –This led to tenant farmers losing their livelihood –All of this led to tension and clashes between groups that would later spur a war.