1. A Brief History of Iraq

2. Map of Modern Iraq
Looking at the map above, what would explain the possibility for conflict in Iraq (or Middle East)?
“I am quite clear that it is all important for us that this oil should be available.”
-Lord Balfour, British foreign secretary
August 1918

3. Who was fighting in Iraq during WWI?
Allied Powers
British forces comprised of: British, Indian, and Australian troops
Central Powers
The Ottoman Empire: Turks (on the side of the central powers)

4. Specific battles, revolts, or other events that took place during WWI:
The Mesopotamia Campaign 1914
WWI in the region later known as Iraq
The Fao Landing (Al Faw) November, 1914 British offensive begins
small port in modern Iraq near the Shatt al-Arab and the Persian Gulf
Battle of Shaiba
April
Push toward Bagdad
British Success
The Siege of Kut/ The Battle of Kut
Dec – April
British attempt at push toward Bagdad
British surrender (humiliating)
Capture Bagdad 1917  Armistice of Mudros signed 1918
March 1917
Proclamation of Bagdad – General Maude “our armies do not come into your cities and lands and conquers or enemies, but as liberators”

6. What peace agreement(s) and treaty (ies) were relevant to Iraq?
Armistice of Mudros - October 20, 1918
Ended the campaign in the region, and the Ottoman Empire
1919 Paris Peace Conference, Article 22 of the League of Nations Covenant
Iraq is formally made, a Class A mandate entrusted to Britain (completed April 25, 1920)
Cairo Conference of 1921
In effort to reduce expenses and deal with uprisings of various areas of the population, the British establish parameters for Iraqi political life
Select Faysal (an Arab, ex King of Syria) as Iraq’s 1st King
Iraqi Army is founded
Organic Law of 1925
Establishes government structure: constitutional monarchy, parliamentary government and bicameral legislature
State Religion: Islam
1925 Agreement (Britain & Iraq)  Iraq Petroleum Company
75 year concession, royalty payments/ton of oil
Excluded Iraq from having any ownership
British Motivation?
Save money
Appear supportive of Iraq independence
Gain control of oil resources

7. Anglo-Iraqi Treaty (1930)
Iraq to gain full independence within two years
Gave the British almost unlimited rights to base military forces in Iraq
The British could:
maintain air bases near Basra and Habbaniya “in times of peace”
have the right of transit for military forces and supplies “at all times”
use all railways, rivers, ports, and airways for the passage of armed forces “during times of war”
control the development of the Iraqi armed forces:
All Iraqi forces trained abroad must be trained in Britain
All foreign military instructors must be British
All foreign military supplies be supplied by Britain
1932, Iraq receives formal independence and was admitted into the League of Nations.

8. What happened after the war?
British Influence and control
Instability
Three regions become the state of Iraq
Ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse
Power shift/lacking
Iraqi Revolt, June 1920 (several months)
Armed revolt against the British – symbol of states rejection of foreign rule
Tribes of the Euphrates (Shia, Sunni, Kurdish) “Guardians of Independence”
Unsuccessful  change in Iraq power/government
Faysal and the “Non-Puppet Government”
Efforts to unite peoples in the boundaries of Iraq
Faysal dies of heart-attack in 1933

9. When did the country actually achieve independence?
1932, Britain granted independence
_Establish: Kingdom of Iraq
Series of unsuccessful coup d’etats followed throughout the next 26 years
WWII Iraq and Pan-Arabism
Definition: seeking Arab independence throughout Middle East
Iraq negotiates with Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) to make this happen
Britain re-conquers Bagdad and puts in power a new government
1958, coup d'état (July Revolution)
Overthrow of the monarchy
Established: Republic of Iraq
1963, U.S intervention with the CIA
Non-loyalty in the Cold War U.S supports rebel take over by the minority Ba’ath Party.
This will put Saddam Hussein in a position to gain control of the country.