British Promises During World War One

What were the three major promises that the British made about the Middle East during World War One and why did these contradict? Simon Atkinson

The three major promises that the British made about the Middle East during WW1 where the Arab independence 1915-16 letters from Sir Herbert McMahon to Hussein, the Sharif of Mecca; The Britain and France Sykes-Picot agreement to divide Turkeys Arab lands in 1916; and finally the Balfour Declaration On the 2nd of November 1917, a letter from the British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour that stated Jews could have a home land in Palestine.

Thanks to the Sykes-Picot agreement, Palestine was in international hands. During previous years the Zionist movement had begun trying to establish Palestine as a Jewish homeland. The British had begun supporting this idea since it could bring the United States into the war and increase the support of Jew communities towards the Allies. In November 1917 the Balfour Declaration was signed which suggested the British supported this idea and would take control of Palestine. After the start of the war Britain promised the Sharif of Mecca, Sharif Hussein, they would help Arab countries have independence after the war if they would help them against the Ottoman empire, this would be one of the most contradictory promises since some of the lands that were going to be independent were given into control of other countries on other agreements, for example the treaty of London. The Italians had joined the Allied forces at the start of the war, in order for Britain to make them support the Triple Entente the two countries signed the treaty of London in April 1915. This treaty promised the Italians control over Libya and has areas of the western coast of Turkey.

All this many different promises, agreement and treaties made Britain contradict itself. The main problems came with the Arabs and their leader Sharif Hussein after they realized Britain had secretly signed the Sykes-Picot Agreement with France, promising the “soon-to-be-independent“ lands to be controlled by the French and the British. But Hussein needed their help to become independent so it agreed to the agreement, allowing Britain and France to place mandate on Arab lands. The Arabs of Palestine became furious with the British after hearing about the Balfour Declaration since it was giving their lands to the Jews and not fulfilling their promises of independence, they protested frequently after it was signed. At the end Britain only helped one Arab state become independent, Saudi Arabia.

During The Great War Britain constantly promised countries land or independence in order to gain their trust and support. Unfortunately it was not able to keep their word. The British seemed to always being in favor of Accomplishing the terms made with their biggest Allies (Italy and Russia) even if they had to betray the agreements it had with other nations or people.

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