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Outbreak of War in the Middle East. Largely built with German capital, the Berlin to Bagdad Railway has further opened up the Middle East to European influence Railroad helps Germans influence area
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Outbreak of War in the Middle East • Largely built with German capital, the Berlin to Bagdad Railway has further opened up the Middle East to European influence • Railroad helps Germans influence area • Problem with part of railroad that runs through enemy Serbia – doesn’t contribute to the outbreak of war, but explains why defeating Serbia becomes central to Germans
Germans Get Ships to the Ottoman Empire to Solidify Connections
Britain’s Plans to Conquer the Middle East • Britain aims to control Mesopotamia • Britain aims to control Persian gulf – axis to known Middle Eastern Oil
Gallipoli • After mines destroyed multiple ships, Entente forces thought they would easily take peninsula • They quickly got bogged down in the ragged, drought-ridden terrain • Two main battlegrounds: Cap Helles, and Anzac Cove, named for the large number of soldiers from Australia and New Zealand • Mustafa Kemal – later Attaturk, rallies Turkish forces
The Broader Attack on the Ottoman Empire • The Arabian Peninsula, esp. the Hejaz, Palestine, and Damascus becomes key to the Arab Revolt • Much of Nejd is dessert
British Designs on Mesopotamia • Using Indian soldiers, British fail to take Bagdad but gain crucial territory • Weakness of Russia shown in Russian inability to assist Britain