Syria+and+Iraq+Mandates

Syria and Iraq = __Iraq__ =

=**__Political problems in Iraq__**= I. Iraq was formed of many different ethnic groups, which feuded with each other politically and hurt Iraq’s ability unify. A. However, King Feisal was effective in pulling all the factions together. 1. The Kurds and Bedouin tribes were subdued as well as the Shiites, which left the Sunnis in charge. II. While there were some border disputes, there were no major problems with other countries. A. There were somewhat hostile relations with Persia, but none that resulted in any violence. B. Border disputes with Ibn Saud were quickly resolved by the British. C. The major problem arose with Turkey over Mosul. Iraq gained authority over the vilayet after two years over bartering. III. After the British gradually eased out of control, they yielded their power to Iraq. A. Democracy did not come easily as elections were rigged and unprepared and authoritarian cabinet members successively came into power. B. Tribal uprisings were common and used against political rivals. C. Eventually, the military took over the government with a coup.

=**__Social Problems in Iraq__**= //**National Unity**// à Rebellious Kurdish minority in the north who felt deprived of future self-determination à There were also substantial Turkoman and Christian Assyrian minorities

-In the Treaty of Serves, the Kurdish had been provided with an autonomous Kurdish state -This Kurdish state was made obsolete by the success of the Turkish Nation and Iraq mandate -This loss of Kurdish identity but stain on the Iraq government as well as the Turkish-Iraqi borders. (Phebe Marr The Modern History of Iraq)

The nation was also divided religiously -The Sunnis were politically dominant however; the Shiites were more numerous in population -The Shiite-Sunni tension was exacerbated by border disputes

King Feisal “gradually overcame Kurdish lawlessness” and eventually Shiite religious authorities were brought under control

=__Economic Problems in Iraq:__= The British wanted to protect oil fields and maintain security in the region to maintain communications and trade with India. The Iraq Petroleum Company monopolized Iraq’s Oil Resources and the oil-rich vilayet of Mosul was problematic for the mandate of Iraq because it was so highly desired by other states, such as Turkey.

= __**Syria**__ = =**__Political problems in Syria__**= I. Rights were heavily suppressed, as military control was dominant. A. There was no freedom of press or assembly. II. France divided the country in order to more easily control it. A. There were three separate districts: in the Alawite mountains, in the Jebal Druze, and the last composed the rest of Syria. III. This system did not last long. The Jebal Druze revolted in 1925. A. The Constituent Assembly drafted a construction that called for the uniting of Syria. France would not agree to these terms. III. A Franco-Syrian treaty providing independence was ratified by the Syrian parliament in 1936, but France refused to ratify it. A. By 1939, France had still not signed the document, and it was suspended.

=__Economic Problems in Syria:__= French invested in railways and port facilities. France needed to balance British power in the region.