The Place of the Middle East in British Colonial and Foreign Policy, 1914-1935: Iraq and Palestine as a Case Study

Mahmada, Ali

The Place of the Middle East in British Colonial and Foreign Policy, 1914-1935: Iraq and Palestine as a Case Study

dc.contributor.advisor	Lévai, Csaba
dc.contributor.author	Mahmada, Ali
dc.contributor.department	Történelem és néprajz doktori iskola	hu
dc.contributor.submitterdep	Bölcsészettudományi Kar::Történelmi Intézet
dc.date.accessioned	2025-02-11T15:29:39Z
dc.date.available	2025-02-11T15:29:39Z
dc.date.defended	2025-03-14
dc.date.issued	2024
dc.description.abstract	This thesis thoroughly examines British colonial and foreign policy in the Middle East between 1914 and 1935, exploring the complex interaction of political, economic, and strategic interests that influenced Britain's actions in the region. The study examines the growth of British imperialism and economic competition in the Middle East during the late 19th century, starting with the Industrial Revolution which drove Britain's search for new colonies and strategic resources. Germany's rise as a dominant force in Europe heightened British concerns, particularly regarding its economic interests in the Ottoman Empire. This led to significant developments, such as the initiation of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway project and the exploration of oil in Abadan. British participation in the Middle East during the Great War and its aftermath was characterised by strategic necessities, economic interests, and diplomatic tactics. The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire created both favourable circumstances and difficulties as Britain endeavoured to assert its supremacy in the area amidst rival ambitions from Germany, Russia, and France. Significant historical events, including the Gallipoli Campaign, the Mesopotamia Campaign, and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, influenced British policies and territorial aspirations, as well as the development of the Jewish question during the war period. After the war, British policymakers encountered the intricacies of executing their goals while manoeuvring through regional dynamics. The process involved various treaties, notably the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Sèvres of 1920, the San Remo Conference 1920, the Cairo Conference of 1921, and the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923. The establishment of mandates, negotiations with France, and the signing of the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1922 demonstrated Britain's efforts to consolidate its influence in Palestine and Mesopotamia. These actions aimed to balance local aspirations for self-governance. The thesis also analyses significant events such as the Mosul dispute and the development of infrastructure projects like Haifa Harbour and the Baghdad-Haifa Oil Pipeline, emphasising the interconnected relationship between economic and imperial interests in the Middle East. One can gain valuable insights into British policy during this crucial period by utilising various primary sources, including war cabinet papers, archival documents, and secondary literature. This study enhances our understanding of the extent of British engagement in the Middle East and the enduring consequences it has had on the region's geopolitical dynamics.
dc.format.extent	252
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/2437/386967
dc.language.iso	en
dc.subject	Middle East; Britain; Economic Interest; Ottoman Empire; Baghdad-Haifa Oil Pipeline
dc.subject.discipline	Történelemtudományok
dc.subject.sciencefield	Bölcsészettudományok	hu
dc.title	The Place of the Middle East in British Colonial and Foreign Policy, 1914-1935: Iraq and Palestine as a Case Study
dc.title.translated	A Közel-Kelet helye a brit gyarmati és külpolitikában, 1914-1935: Irak és Palesztina mint esettanulmány
dc.type	PhD, doktori értekezés	hu