THE MIDDLE EAST & THE END OF EMPIRE

• Where does the term "Middle East" come from? 

  middle east comes from british colonial invention 
• 1. What was the Sykes-Picot Agreement?


  • secret treaty that divided ottoman territories into European spheres of influence, mainly French and British
  • it that helped set borders of many modern Middle Eastern nation-states 
• 1. Why was the Suez Canal important?

  • it made travel distance from europe to africa shorter 
  • maintained profit for europeans by facilitating trade and transportation routes 
  • faster transportation of resources like oil
• What did Gamal Nasser do to provoke invasion by the British, French, and Israelis? How was the invasion stopped?

  Gamal Nasser provoked invasion by nationalizing the Suez Canal. The invasion was stopped due to pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union, and the threat of economic sanctions
• What policy did Mohammad Mossadegh implement in Iran? Why did he take these actions and what was the result?

  Mohammad Mossadegh implemented a policy of nationalizing Iran's oil industry. He took these actions to regain control of Iran's resources from foreign interests, resulting in his overthrow in a coup orchestrated by the CIA and MI6
• Explain the economic changes resulting from the process of decolonization in the Middle East.

  • Changes:
  • Newly independent nations sought to assert control over their natural resources, leading to nationalization of industries like oil
  • Some countries implemented socialist economic policies, redistributing land and wealth
  • Economic ties shifted from colonial powers to new trade partners, often with mixed results
  • Investment in infrastructure and education increased as nations aimed for self-sufficiency and development
• Explain the economic continuities resulting from the process of decolonization in the Middle East.

  • Economic dependence on former colonial powers persisted due to trade relationships and debt obligations
  • Unequal distribution of wealth and power remained, exacerbating social and economic disparities
  • Political instability and conflicts hindered economic growth and development in some regions
  • The legacy of colonial economic structures, such as monoculture economies, continued to shape economic systems post-independence
• Nasser and Mossadegh both nationalized important resources in their countries. They both challenged British economic imperialism. But their efforts had two very different outcomes. What do you think explains these two different outcomes?

  • International support
  • Domestic stability
  • Timing and context
  • Regional dynamics
• International support


  Nasser received backing from the United States and the Soviet Union, while Mossadegh faced opposition from Western powers
• Domestic stability


  Nasser maintained popular support and a strong military, whereas Mossadegh faced internal opposition and lacked a strong power base
• Timing and context


  Nasser's actions came during the Cold War when superpowers were more cautious about military intervention, while Mossadegh's efforts occurred in a less favorable geopolitical climate
• Regional dynamics


  Nasser's leadership and pan-Arab ambitions allowed him to navigate regional politics more effectively, while Mossadegh faced isolation due to Iran's unique position in the Middle East
• • Ottoman Empire's decline led to European control of territories in the Middle East during the 19th century
• • The Sykes-Picot Agreement divided Ottoman territories into European spheres of influence, disregarding local communities' interests
• • European imperialists drew arbitrary borders in the Middle East, causing disruption and division among ethnic groups like the Kurds and Palestinians
• • Informal colonialism persisted after direct European control faded, influencing regional politics and economies
• • The Suez Canal's significance extended beyond its role in global trade to symbolize colonial exploitation and resistance in Egypt
• • Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 challenged European dominance but was met with British, French, and Israeli invasion
• • American and Soviet intervention during the Suez Crisis highlighted the shifting global power dynamics away from European empires
• • Mohammad Mossadegh's nationalization of Iran's oil faced opposition from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and the US government
• • Mossadegh's overthrow in a CIA-backed coup illustrated how foreign interference undermined decolonization efforts in Iran
• • Despite different outcomes, Nasser and Mossadegh's experiences demonstrate the complex interplay between decolonization, Cold War politics, and imperialism in the Middle East