1. Mapping the Middle East
Global II: Spiconardi

2. The McMahon Agreement (1915)
At the onset of World War I both Britain and Germany wanted Arab support
Promised Arabs national independence in exchange for their help
Also promised Zionists a homeland in exchange for their help
Arabs make deal with the British known as the McMahon Agreement
Zionism  movement dedicated to building a Jewish state in Palestine

3. Why Zionism? Persecution of Jews in Europe Dreyfus Affair
A Jewish officer was falsely accused of selling French military secrets to the Germans
False evidence convicts Captain Dreyfus
Controversy abounds
Army cover up divides France
Muslim Arab press criticized French judicial system and was sympathetic to European Jews
Journalist Theodore Herzel covers the trial and starts the Zionist movement

4. Why Zionism?
Pogroms
Organized campaigns of violence against Jews permitted by the Russian government
Many Jews fled Europe and came to America
Many wanted a homeland in biblical Israel to avoid persecution

5. The Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire entered WWI on the side of the Central Powers
During the war many nationalities within the empire rebelled against the Ottoman Empire with British help

6. Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)
Britain and France make a secret deal to divide the Middle East into 5 districts after WWI
Renege on the McMahon Agreement
Those lying

7. Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)
Why did Brits and French go back on their word?
Didn’t believe Middle East was ready for independence due to religious and ethnic rivalries
Palestinians & Jews  Fights over historical claims to the land
Shiite & Sunni Muslims  Muslim sects disagree over leadership and practices
Druze Muslims  seen as a cult by other Islamic sects; not seen as true believers of Islam
Kurds  ethnic group persecuted by Turks, Iraqis, and Persians
Armenian Christians  WWI genocide
Christians and Muslims  hard feelings traced back to the Crusades

8. Balfour Declaration (1917)
Due to persecution in Europe, many Jews returned to Palestine
Many returning Jews called for a homeland
Palestinians opposed the creation of a Jewish state
Europeans see this as an opportunity to rid Europe of Jews

9. Balfour Declaration (1917)
Lord Balfour of Britain sends a letter to Zionist leaders
“His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object…”
Despite increased migration to Palestine, Zionist Movement fails (until after WWII)
Increased rioting against Jews