Nationalism in the Middle East

1. Nationalism in the Middle East

2. Goals • Be able to write a short paragraph on how nationalism shaped the Middle East.

3. The Ottoman Empire

4. Decline of Ottoman Empire • Since the early 19th century it had grown weaker • Happened to due European Imperialism • Lost Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Greece • In 1876 reformers seized control of the empire’s government • Created a constitution that attempted to set up a legislative body • Abdulhamid II • suspended the constitution and ruled by force • 1908 Abdulhamid II was removed as ruler • Ethnic Turks envisioned a country that would be strictly Turkish

5. World War 1 • Old Ottoman Empire finally died because of World War 1 • Ottoman Empire sided with the Germans • British attempted to distract the Ottoman Empire • Supported Arab nationalist movements • T.E. Lawrence helped make this happen

6. Armenian Massacre • During WW1 Armenians demanded its independence. • Armenian nationalists started uprising • Govt. reacted by killing Armenians in 1915 • In one year around 1 million Armenians were killed • By 1918 another 400,000 had been killed

7. The Young Turks • In 1908, a group of young intellectuals over threw the sultan-called The Young Turks. This new leadership sought to make the Ottoman Empire exclusively Turkish and Muslims. • In 1910, the Armenians were labeled enemies of Muslim Turkey (due to not fitting the above description)

8. Enver Bey, the leader of the Young Turks.

9. The Genocide Begins • In 1914, Turkey entered WWI. A military offensive against Russia ended in disaster and Turkey accused the Armenians of aiding Russia. • On April 24, 1915-Turkish authorities arrested and executed Armenian leaders in Constantinople. This date would be forever remembered as the beginning of the Armenian genocide.

10. The Genocide Continues… • In June 1915, the Armenian population was deported to the desserts of Syria and Iraq. Prior to deportation, all able-bodied males were shot. • 25% of those that left Turkey would eventually arrive in Syria and Iraq. The majority of people were either murdered or died of thirst and starvation along the way.

15. The Genocide Ends • In 1919, the Young Turks were put on trial for war crimes and were found guilty for the destruction of the Armenian people. • 1.5 million of the 2.5 million Armenans were killed during the genocide.

17. Post World War 1 • After the war England and France divided up the Middle East and the Ottoman Empire • Only modern day Turkey remained • Greece quickly invaded Turkey • This united Turkey under Mustafa Kemal • He summoned a national congress • His forces defeated the Greeks • By 1923 only Turkey remained of the Ottoman Empire

18. Modernization of Turkey • Mustafa Kemal became president • His goal was to transform Turkey • Enacted a democratic style of government • Changed the Turkish language • Forced citizens to adopt family names • Religious Reform • Wanted to break power of the Islamic Religion on government • Wanted a secular state • Religious dress was outlawed • Social Reform • Gave women the right to vote in 1934 • Allowed people to practice other religions

19. Persia

20. Beginnings of Iran • In 1908 oil was discovered in Southern Persia • Brought in a large foreign presence • This lead to a Persian Nationalist movement • 1921 Reza Khan invaded and seized Tehran • 1925 made himself Shah • Attempted to follow Turkey’s example • He adopted Western style of education • Outlawed certain religious clothing • In 1935 Persia became known as Iran

21. Palestine • Home country of Jews of the Bible • Jews were exiled in 1st century AD • 1890’s Zionist movement had started • Support of a Jewish homeland • By 1930’s around 80% of Palestine was Muslim Arabs • Nationalism of Jews and Arabs both wanted Palestine • Jews immigrated from Europe to Palestine during the 1930’s • Britain was in charge of Palestine • Issued the Balfour Declaration • supported Palestine as Jews homeland • 1939 British declared only 75,000 Jews could come to Palestine