1. Nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East
Preview
Main Idea / Reading Focus
French North Africa
The Creation of Israel
Changes in Egypt and Iran
Quick Facts: Causes and Effects of the Suez Canal Crisis

2. Nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East
Main Idea
The rise of nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East led to independence for some countries and to conflicts with the West.
Reading Focus
How did independence come to French North Africa?
What events led to the creation of Israel?
How did nationalism cause changes in Egypt and Iran?

3. French North Africa Morocco and Tunisia Independence
After World War II, France faced growing nationalist movements in its North African protectorates of Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
Nationalist campaigns for independence began to grow in early, mid-1900s in both countries
Attempts by France to crack down on movements led to increasing unrest, demonstrations, guerrilla wars
Meanwhile Algeria also struggling for independence
Morocco and Tunisia
Algeria home to large French settler population, was more important to the French
French government concluded it could not fight guerrilla wars in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia at same time
Negotiated with nationalist leaders in Morocco, Tunisia
1956, both countries granted independence
Independence

4. Algeria Algeria National Liberation Front
1830, France first took control of some areas in Algeria
1950s, more than 1 million European settlers in area, owned best land, dominated economy, had grip on political power
National Liberation Front
1954, group of Algerian nationalists formed National Liberation Front (FLN)
FLN began campaign of armed attacks against French targets
French responded with mass arrests, raids on Muslim towns
Attacks on Settlers, Reprisals
Next year FLN directly targeted French settlers; attacks killed more than 100 people in one city
French forces, groups of settlers responded by attacking Muslims; between 1,200 and 12,000 Muslims killed in reprisal attacks

5. French Responses Battle of Algiers Change in Government
Attacks set pattern for deadly war in Algeria—FLN targeted French civilians, French attacked Muslim population
FLN launched campaign of bombings, assassinations at civilians, military in Algiers
French responded with harsh counterterrorism campaign, torturing suspected FLN members
Summer 1957, FLN largely defeated, but war not over
Battle of Algiers
French settlers in Algiers increasingly angry over perceived lack of support from French government
May 1958, French troops, mob of settlers seized control in Algiers, demanded change of government in Paris
Demands met; Charles de Gaulle appointed prime minister in June 1958
De Gaulle seen as strong supporter of settlers of Algeria
Change in Government

6. De Gaulle
De Gaulle hoped to satisfy both French settlers, Algerian nationalists
Wanted to give Algeria limited degree of self-government
Faced violent reaction from French settlers, who did not want France to give up any control
Violent reaction also from nationalists, wanted full independence
De Gaulle decided French rule could not be maintained in Algeria
February 1961, opened peace talks with FLN
1962, signed agreement granting Algeria independence

7. Contrast
How was the struggle for independence in Algeria different from the struggle in Morocco and Tunisia?
Answer(s): The French government negotiated with nationalist leaders in Morocco and Tunisia and allowed them independence, but fought the FLN to keep control of Algeria.

8. British Mandate of Palestine
The Creation of Israel
Nationalism led to the creation of Israel
Late 1800s Jewish nationalist movement of Zionism growing
Jews calling for an independent state in ancient homeland
After World War I, League of Nations gave Britain control over Palestine, required Britain to make preparations for Jewish homeland
After World War II, Jewish leaders in Palestine pressed British to create Jewish state
British Mandate of Palestine
1947, Britain announced it was giving up control of mandate, turning matter over to the UN
UN proposed to partition, or divide, Palestine into Jewish state and Arab state with Jerusalem under international control
End of British Mandate
Jewish leaders accepted the proposal, but Arabs did not. Despite Arab objections, the UN passed a resolution supporting the partition as valid.

9. Independence and War No Arab State Gaza Strip, West Bank
As British pulled out of Palestine, David Ben-Gurion, other Jewish leaders, declared birth of democratic State of Israel, May 14, 1948
Ben-Gurion later became Israel’s first prime minister
Day after Israel declared independence, armies from Arab countries of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, Iraq invaded Israel, launching first Arab-Israeli war
War lasted from May to December; Arab armies soundly defeated
Arab states negotiated cease-fire agreements, but would not sign permanent peace treaties
One result: Arab state proposed by UN did not come into existence
No Arab State
Both Israel, neighboring Arab countries seized, held land planned for new Arab state
Egypt controlled Gaza Strip, Transjordan controlled territory west of Jordan River known as West Bank
Gaza Strip, West Bank

10. Arab-Israeli war caused massive refugee problems
By end of fighting around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs had become refugees
Fled or expelled from areas that Israel took control of, as well as from general war, chaos
Jewish refugees fled Arab countries and resettled in Israel

11. What events led to the creation of Israel as an independent state?
Summarize
What events led to the creation of Israel as an independent state?
Answer(s): 1947: Britain announced it was giving up control of the mandate; UN proposed to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state; 1948: Jewish leaders declared birth of the State of Israel

12. Changes in Egypt and Iran
Israel’s victory had effects throughout the Arab world.
The victory discredited many of the region’s leaders, and young nationalist leaders came to power in places such as Egypt and Iran.
1922, Egypt gained formal independence from Great Britain
However British troops occupied Suez Canal Zone
1936 treaty allowed Britain to defend Egypt if attacked
A New Government
Egyptian King Farouk I strongly pro-British, seen as dependent on Britain for power
Egypt’s loss in first Arab-Israeli war discredited Farouk, leaders of Egypt’s parliament
Farouk Discredited
Many believed corruption in palace, parliament, army contributed to defeat
Gap between rich, poor in post independence government also angered many Egyptians
Growing Anger

13. Nasser
Out of dissatisfaction came 1952 military coup led by 34-year old colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser; forced King Farouk out of power
Nasser, followers abolished monarchy, created single government party, undertook ambitious land reform program to gain support among poor
Suez Crisis
Nasser became most important figure in Arab world after confrontation with Britain, France, Israel over Suez Canal
Suez Crisis had roots in politics of the Cold War
After Nasser came to power, refused to join Baghdad Pact, U.S.-led alliance against communism in Middle East

14. Growing Crisis Dealing Arms Nationalizing the Canal Growing Hostility
Nasser requested western countries sell him arms; they refused
Turned to Soviet-controlled Czechoslovakia, signed arms deal
U.S., Britain responded by refusing to loan Egypt money to build Aswan Dam
Nationalizing the Canal
Nasser enraged that funding denied for building dam on Nile River
Decided to nationalize, take control of, Suez Canal, which was owned by international company controlled by Britain, France
Growing Hostility
Nasser’s action celebrated as act of defiance by people in Arab world
British, French outraged by seizure of property
Hostility also growing between Egypt, Israel

15. Nasser Popular in Arab World
Pan-Arabism
October 1956, Britain, France, Israel launched coordinated attack on Egypt
Militarily defeated Egyptian forces
U.S. did not support actions, which created tensions with Soviet Union; pressured Britain, France, Israel to withdraw, which they did
Attack on Egypt
Countries withdrew; Egypt left in control of Suez Canal
Suez Crisis had become great victory for Nasser
Nasser promoted Pan-Arabism, or Arab unity
Brought Egypt, Syria together as United Arab Republic, but Syria withdrew two years later
Nasser Popular in Arab World

16. Conflict in Iran
When Mohammad Reza Pahlavi became shah of Iran in 1941, British and Russian troops occupied parts of his country.
British-run company also controlled Iran’s profitable oil industry, kept most of profits
Iranian nationalists determined to take control of country’s oil resources, reduce power of shah, establish constitutional monarchy
Nationalists led by Mohammad Mosaddeq, opponent of foreign influence in Iran
Conflict in Iran
1951, Iranian parliament named Mosaddeq prime minister, voted to nationalize oil industry
Britain, U.S. called for boycott of Iranian oil, preventing Iran from selling much on world market
Mosaddeq worked to reduce power of monarchy and placed army forces under control of government
Mosaddeq

17. Coups Military Coup Mosaddeq Overthrown Reforms Reforms Opposed
Many military officers upset with reforms, joined coup to replace Mosaddeq
Coup supported by U.S., Britain
Mosaddeq Overthrown
Coup successful
Mosaddeq overthrown, shah returned to power
Reforms
Shah began ambitious program of reforms, including land and literacy, women’s rights
Iran’s industry, education, health care improved
Reforms Opposed
Shah continued to rule with iron hand, secret police
Reforms opposed by conservatives as moving away from traditional Islamic values

19. Find the Main Idea
What changes occurred in Egypt and Iran, and how were they related to nationalism?
Answer(s): Egypt—Nasser overthrew King Farouk, who was seen as too pro-British; promoted Pan-Arabism; Iran—nationalized oil industry; U.S. and Britain supported overthrow of Shah Mosaddeq, who had opposed foreign influence