Papers+analyzing+problems+in+Lebanon+and+Iraq

Leah Johnston, Alice O’Neill and Tess Galantowicz Mandate outline/ Mr. Griffin 11/15/09

Iraq and Lebanon Mandate Outline

With reference to specific examples from 2 countries in the region (excluding Palestine) analyze the problems caused by the mandate system (1919-39)

A. Social Issues a. In Iraq, the country faced many problems due to the mandate. i. Lack of national identity 1. “The new kingdom of Iraq suffered from many problems related to its national unity…The large and rebellious Kurdish minority in the north felt that it had been deprived of its hopes of self-determination by the post-war settlement. There were also substantial Turkoman and Christian Assyrian miniorties. The Arab Population was divided between Sunnis and Shiites, the latter being more numerous but the Sunnis being politically dominant.” ii. Border issues 1. “The boundary disputes with Ibn Saud, exacerabated by Hashemite-Saudi rivalry, were more bitter, but a measure of reconciliation was achieved through British mediation.” (197) iii. Social unrest including rebellions 1. “In August 1933, an ominous prelude to independence was the massacre by an army unit of three hundred Assyrian villagers in northern Iraq. The massacre was applauded by most Iraqi opinion and the soldiers were never punished. A large part of the Assyrian community left for Syria.” (197) b. In Lebanon i. France controlled Lebanon through various means. 1. “France behaved in the manner of a colonial government backed by superior military power. The press was controlled, and nationalist demonstrations were instantly surpressed,” (199). 2. “The fragile framework was soon shaken when in 1925 a revolt in the Jebal Druze, due to local grievances, led to an alliance between the Druze and the nationalists of Damascus, who had begun to organize themselves in the People’s Party. The Druze warriors penetrated Lebanon and even the suburbs of Damascus, provoking a two-day French bombardment. The rebellion continued sporadically for two years, leaving much bitterness, but the French were constrained to pursue a more conciliatory policy.” (200). ii. Changing population in Lebanon tipped the balance so that the Maronites weren’t the only large presence in Lebanon. “Although the Maronites remained the largest single community, their narrow majority in the population was eroding as a result of their lower birth rate and higher tendency to emigrate than other communities.” (201) iii. Lebanon struggled to find a national identity with all the conflicting groups along with France in the mix. “Emotionally, a large part of the Lebanese population both rejected French control and saw themselves as part either of Syria or of a wider Arab nation. The growth of a Lebanese national identity focused on the land within the borders of le Grand Liban was fragile and made more difficult by the sectarian basis of the political system, not exist.” (202) iv. Some strides were made in the social aspect of Lebanon. 1. “It introduced a relatively modern administrative system, customs organization and land registration based on a pioneering cadastral survey. It built roads and improved urban amenities. In Damascus and Aleppo it initiated city planning.” (202) 2. Improvements in education: “Education received a powerful stimulus, although in some respects the policy was controversial. The French language and culture were promoted…As a consequence the educational standards of the Lebanese people as a whole were higher than anywhere in the former Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, the lack of an adequate state education system did nothing to promote national unity.” (203)

B. Political Issues a. In Iraq there were political flaws, which later led to conflict. 1. The Organic Law of 1925 stated that Iraq was, “…a hereditary constitutional monarchy with an elected bicameral legislature” In Iraq the Sunnis were supported by Britain even though the Shi’a were the majority of Iraq’s Arab population thus, consequently politics in Iraq became a power struggle. The Shi’a were excluded from power during the country’s early years of formation. 2. Iraq and British tensions began with the agreement in which the Iraq Petroleum Company was created. The seventy-five-year concession was signed in 1925 because the Iraqis were desperate for the funds that would come with the royalty payments however, they would only receive modest royalties and the agreement excluded Iraq from having any ownership in the company. During World War II Rashid Ali led a revolt against Britain and a large factor was in part with the interpretation of the Anglo-Iraqi treaty of 1920. Also, Britain did not want much involvement with Iraq and would make a variety of treaties in order to receive the benefits from the area such as oil and army bases. 3. After King Fasayl died Iraq did not have strong leaders. A disclusive group then ran the government. The government group and leaders seemed temporary and inconsistent because the members and groups were constantly changing due to tribal rivalry and rigged elections 4. The Army was created to be a national symbol of Iraq. It then later on gained power by overthrowing Bakr Sidni. Afterwards, the army became part of government and made decisions and created their own cabinets.

b. In Lebanon 1. In Lebanon the Maronite Christians were given the political power and supported by the French though they were not the majority. The Sunni Muslims became part of Lebanon and demanded unity with Syria. 2. The French, “objective was to safeguard the Maronite community by making sure it would not be absorbed into a Syrian Muslim state” (Cleveland). The non-Christians did not receive the same support as the Christians and were not given power therefore causing tension. 3. The French also created a parliament in which the seats were distributed on the basis of religious affiliation. This further separated the government rather than creating a united political group. C. Economic a. Iraq 1. The Oil Industry played a large role in many aspects for not only Iraqi but also other allying and neighboring countries as well. 2. Britain wanted to stay out of Iraq and avoid any conflict; however, the large surplus of oil that Iraq possesses was one that Britain could not pass up. This forced Britain to go against previous ideas of minimum intervention. Thus putting them in a position to create a twenty –five year concession with Iraq, not only to flank competition but also to gain a large amount of access to Iraq’s oil. 3. Iraq had constant problems with borders and neighboring countries. Due to division of land by European powers there were many disputes over areas with plentiful resources (Persia and Turkey). As well as disputes over control of essential coastal areas, which were pertinent to Iraq’s trade with other countries such as India. b. Lebanon 1. French influence in Lebanon was positive and effective in many aspects. Lebanon has a significant amount of economic growth with the implement of Beirut. Coinciding with the growth of nationalism was the growth of trade in the middle class. 2. With the France-Lebanese treaty came newly developed ideals that help Lebanon to move in the right direction. Many new roads were built and urban areas were improved which showed that the economy was heading in the right direction. However, the franc that the French had set as the standard currency was weak which negatively affected the progress for the Lebanese. 3. France had added coastal cities to Lebanon, which included: Tripoli, Tyre, Sidon, and Beirut. With the addition of these coastal cities trade was more accessible which created availability for and ultimately the success of economic growth.

Gracie Gerlach Mandate Outline/ Mr. Griffin  I. Iraq A. Formation a. Mesopotamian region was created into three regions, all of which became under the state of Iraq. i. Three provinces: Northern Province of Mosul, central province of Baghdad, and southern province of Basra.  ii. When all three came under this British mandate called Iraq, none of them worked together as a political community, rather all three remained separate.  B. Nation Divided  a. Although Arabs made up 80% of their total population, a little more than half were Shi’a, and the other half were Sunni.  b. The other 20% were the Kurds, found in the northern region of Iraq.  i. Although Kurds were usually considered Sunni, they had their own culture.  c. Also a high percentage of the Jewish community in Baghdad.  d. Rural areas turned into tribes and rebelled against Britain  i. First symbol of Iraq rejection to foreign rule.  ii. British won, but with a large cost of 450 of their own soldiers, and 450 million Euros. C. After the Revolt  a. Britain had an imperialist view in mind.  b. Britain asked Faysal from Arab Revolt to be the leader of Iraq. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> i. This task was hard for Faysal because Iraq was so diverse and really had no stable government in place. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> i. Faysal decided education was very important and it was one of Faysal’s main focus points. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">D. 1930 Treaty <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> a. Iraq gained full independence two years after the treaty, in 1932. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> b. Britain would have to come to Iraq’s side if a war happened. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> c. Britain would be allowed to control Iraqi armed forces. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> d. Britain allowed to have two air bases in Iraq <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">E. After 1930 Treaty <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> a. After the Treaty was signed, Iraq was admitted into the League of Nations. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> b. Britain pressured Iraq to sign a 75- year agreement where Britain would own Iraq Petroleum Company. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> i. Iraq would have no part in the petroleum company <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> ii. Britain would pay Iraq a substantial amount from royalty funds. Iraq agreed to the agreement mainly because they needed these funds so bad. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> iii. Some Iraqis still felt they were under British rule because of this agreement because Britain essentially monopolized Iraq’s oil resources. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> c. Faysal was a successful leader from 1921- his death, 1933. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> i. After his death, the government experienced numerous power struggles. There were many military coups, and they did not last for more than a few months at a time. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">II. Lebanon <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">A. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">French control <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">a. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">After WWI, the French received the land of Lebanon. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">i. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">The French favored the Maronite Christians in Lebanon and remained devoted to protect them, which did not make the Arabs happy, and rooted the dislike between the two cultures. Also, the Maronites only made up 30% of the population, thus the majority of the population in Lebanon did not like the French imposing. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">b. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Many people living in Lebanon also rejected the French rule because they either felt like they belonged with Syria or greater Arab nation, and the cultures were not willing to come together. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">c. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">French helped Maronites form Lebanon as a Christian enclave. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">i. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Problem because those Sunni Muslims who became part of Lebanon did not like this idea of Lebanon as a Christian enclave. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">B. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Standards of Living <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">a. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">The French introduced a modern administrative system, and helped Lebanon become relatively modern by building roads and improving the urban area standard of living. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">b. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Education was also a very important aspect that the French introduced to the people of Lebanon. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> i.The French taught the children of Lebanon French and promoted their own culture over the Lebanese culture. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">