Daniel Forrest-Trek-1/2

5-5-16

Thinking:
To what degree was the US involved in
imperialism in the middle east? Was it the
only foreign country involved?
How can the US maintain power in that area
from so far away?
Palestinians had been living in Jerusalem for
2000 years until UN decided to give land back
to the Israelis, conflict began because
Palestinians thought it was unfair for the
Israelis to come in and take there home,
ironic because Palestine had taken the land
of Israel from the Israelis 2000 years before
UN continues to be on the side of the Jews
and Israelis because of their history of
persecution throughout centuries
Ottoman empire shrunk from different groups
or countries wanting to rule area with different
beliefs
Ultimate globalization goal for European
nations looking to take control Ottoman
Empire land
Nationalism-Imperialism-Colonialism
Sykes-Picot is an effect of WWI...determines
who rules where in middle east (British &
French govts thought middle eastern govts
were not able to govern themselves)
What role has the middle east region had in
the past World Wars?

Notes:
Imperialism: one country goes into anothers
territory and takes over in every aspect of that
country (economically, culturally, militarily,
etc)
US role in middle east:
Ensure steady flow of oil (post WWII, America
concerned with who is in power in middle east
& the oil-rich land)
Concerned with long-term stability in region,
wants to maintain power & influence
Israel/Palestine conflict
Israel/Palestine conflict: 1947; United Nations
decide to give Israel back to Israelis,
Palestine does not allow, conflict ensues
Geographic Timeline:
Middle Ages: Islamic Empires were center of
worlds science, scholarship, & commerce
1500s: Ottoman Empire stretched from
Persian Gulf to Egypt, started to lose power in
1800s
While Ottoman Empire waned out of power,
other European nations looked to control
natural resources; create markets for
industries; create colonies around the world
1919: Sykes-Picot Agreement, divides Arab
world into nation-states, groups of middle
east nations issued mandates to French &
British governments once they recognized
borders and asked for independence
Impacts of Mandates: France gets Syria &
Lebanon; Britain gets Iraq, Kuwait,
US became involved:
US produced of world's oil during WWI but
were afraid it would run out
British agreed to let American Oil Companies
participate in development of middle east oil
Serious oil exploration began in Saudi Arabia
& Kuwait in 1930s
Saudis signed 60 year agreement Standard
Oil of California in 1933
Arab Nationalism (1919-1939):
Gamal Abd-Nasser-- first Egyptian President
Nationalist opposition to British rule
Led coup against Egyptian King Faruq in
1952