Middle East in Independence

Chapter 33

Ottoman Empire

• Turkish control of Arabs in Middle East is the source of nationalist movements

Ottoman Empire• WWI = dismantling of Ottoman Empire

– Modern, secular Turkey is created in 1923

– Since 1923, Turkey has become:• Most secular• Most diverse economy• Most moderate and stable democracy

– …country in Muslim world as evidenced by…• Membership in NATO• Application to join EU

Ottoman Empire• WWI = dismantling of Ottoman Empire

– Modern, secular Turkey is created in 1923

– Arab portions of empire are colonized by Europeans (mandates)

Palestine / Israel

• Conflict over rightful ownership of land– Complicated by religion:

• Judaism?• Christianity?• Islam?

Palestine / Israel• Historical Context

– Israeli Kingdom during early classical to Roman expansion

– Diaspora of Jews during Roman rule

– Fall of Rome & Byzantine decline = Arab expansion & control until 1948

• (except for Crusaders )

Palestine / Israel

• Holy land– Inhabited by Arabs during

late 1800s– At same time, anti-

Semitism grows in Europe• Zionism = movement calling

for creation of Jewish homeland in holy land currently inhabited by Arabs

Palestine / Israel

• WWI– British try to be all things to all people– Make promises they can’t keep resulting in

tension

– Competing promises creates tension among all three groups

Arabs

•Promised independence if help defeat Muslim, although Turkish, rulers

Jewish

•Promised a homeland in holy land

Ottoman Empire• WWI = dismantling of Ottoman Empire

– Modern, secular Turkey is created in 1923

– Arab portions of empire are colonized by Europeans (mandates)

Palestine / Israel

• WWII– Holocaust re-energizes

Zionism– Israel – a Jewish state is

created

Palestine / Israel• Today

– Israel• Developed (democratic,

compulsory military service, economically diverse & wealthy)

• Jewish homeland

• Western supported

– Palestinians• Undeveloped

• Arab refugees

• Pan-Arab support

Egypt

Egypt

• Historical Context– Controlled by Ottomans during expansion in

1500s– Napoleon’s interlude & defeat led to

Muhammad Ali, Khedives, & Western influence in mid-1800s

– Britain quasi-colonizes Egypt after Orabi revolt in 1882

Egypt• Late 1800s: Double occupation by Ottomans

& British– Benefits wealthy at the expense of poor– Small, active middle class & journalist start

nationalism• 1906: Dinshawai Incident

– Motivated masses of Egyptians to join nationalist movements

• 1914-1919: WWI– Martial law represses Arabs, war efforts strips

Egypt of resources

Transition• 1919: End of WWI & Treaty of Versailles

– Wartime experience led to calls for self-determination, when not granted – revolt

• 1922: British begin withdrawal• 1936: Independence, but Khedives &

corrupt leadership of elites

Transition

• Revolutionary forces mount as wealthy continue to benefit at expense of poor– Free Officers Movement / Nasser – idealistic

military officers seeking reform for masses– Muslim Brotherhood / al-Banna – student

movement seeking Islamic revivalism, medical clinics, women’s education, land reform

Independence: Military Dictatorship

• 1952: Revolution toppling Khedive, Free Officers & Nasser rise to power – Socialist efforts at land reform, education,

planned economic growth – Diplomacy focused on Pan-Arabism, end of

Israeli & Western influence

Independence: Military Dictatorship

• Development fails due to corruption, landlord persistence, miscalculations, population growth, lack of capital– Succeeded by Sadat & Mubarak who drastically

changed course

Iran

Islamic Fundamentalism

• Often used interchangeably with the Islamist movement

• What it is…– Emphasis on tradition & strict interpretation of Qur’an– Political idea replacing secular laws with Islamic law– Belief that the Islamic world today is in decay

– Also, often – strong belief in Islamic nationalism.

Islamic Fundamentalism

• Causes…– Period of decline that followed a phase in Islamic history

of exemplary growth & innovation– Feeling of uncontrolled Westernization & Neo-

Colonialism

Theocratic Isolation:Iran

• 1813-1921: Lack of formal colonization leaves Iran w/ few advantages

• 1925-1979: Pahlavi Shahs – attempted modernization through oil wealth– Pro-Western reforms alienated masses– Drop in oil price sparks revolution

Theocratic Isolation:Iran

• 1979: Ayatollah Khomeini established a revivalist theocratic state reminiscent of Mahdi– Stressed purification, traditions, & politics of Islam– Removed godless Western influences– Restricted freedoms of women

• 1980-1988: Success of revivalist development is clouded by Iran-Iraq War– Decimated humanitarianly & economically