An Undeclared Empire: The British in The Middle East Review

An Undeclared Empire: The British in the Middle East Review

A. British backing of independent Arab states formerly part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

The British strategy in the Middle East in backing former Ottoman Turkish Empire Arab states was to maintain their precious buffer area that served as their frontline for their Middle Eastern interests. By maintaining power in this region, in which the vital Suez Canal was located, the British could protect their interests in India, Egypt and communication lines with East Asia.

B. League of Nations British Mandate.

First proposed to the League of Nations in 1922, the British Mandate for Palestine was a commission that laid out the administration of the territory formerly held by the Ottoman Empire. After the mandate was ratified by the League of Nations in 1923, the British protectorates were divided into the British Palestine and the Transjordan. The British Palestine encompassed the territory west of the Jordan River and would remain under direct British rule until the expiration of the Mandate in 1948. The Transjordan was made up of the lands east of the Jordan River and would function semi autonomously from Britain under the rule of the Hashemite clan and Prince Faisal.

C. Origins of Prince Faisal of the Hashemite Clan.

The Hashemite Clan was an Arab dynasty based in Saudi Arabia and members of this clan traditionally served as the Sharif of Mecca. Prince Faisal, as a member of the Hashemite Clan, was a descendent of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and was motivated by Arab nationalism and his desire for an independent Arab state. Prince Faisal first step into power came when he met T. E. Lawrence and aided in the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire as well as cooperating with the Allied forces in WWI.

D. Executive decisions regarding future Arab governments made in the early 1920's and the controversy over placing Prince Faisal in power.

After the conclusion of WWI and the successful Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, the administration of these territories had to be decided. The most notable piece of legislation to this end was the Mandate for Palestine, which