Focus Question:

When did countries in the Middle East become independent nations and how was independence achieved?

Image result for middle east independence map

Mapping and Explaining Middle Eastern Conflict - Interactive

Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916)

The Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Making of the Modern Middle East

A Century On: Why Arabs Resent Sykes-Picot

CROSS-LINK: Events in the Modern Middle East and Islamic Fundamentalism

Independence years and short summaries of events

Egypt: 1922*

Egypt: After breaking away from Ottoman control in the first half of the 19th century, Egypt was forcibly brought under British rule by 1882. The Egyptian Revolution of 1919 pushed Britain to acknowledge Egyptian independence by 1922. However, the British would maintain considerable influence in Egypt until 1952, when another revolution toppled Egypt's monarchy brought Gamal Abdel Nasser to power. Nasser proceeded to seize the Suez Canal from the British, securing complete Egypt's control over its territory.

Click here to learn how Egypt secured the Suez Canal.

Turkey: 1923

Turkey: Founded by Mustafa Kemal, also known as Ataturk ("father of the Turks") after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and a three year war for independence. Nationalism had arisen through out the Ottoman Empire, which was not keeping up with social and technological developments in Europe. After World War I, forces led by Mustafa Kemal expelled French, Greek, Italian, and Russian forces. Gained full independence in 1923.

Click here for more on the Turkish Independence

The Turkish Flag and the Turkish National Anthem from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more, see CIA Factbook/Turkey and United States Department of State

Click here for a timeline on Turkey

Click here for a youtube video from Khan Academy on Mustafa Kemal and the Turkish Independence War

Yemen 1925*

Yemen: This nation has a questionable independence date. North Yemen had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire from 1849 until 1917, when it gained independence. South Yemen was a protectorate of Britain. Britain controlled the port of Aden since 1839. In 1925, Britain recognized South Yemen's independence, but did not withdraw from the area until 1967. Following the withdrawal, politicians developed Marxist policies. This caused tension between North and South Yemen. Both countries were finally unified as one in 1990 as the Republic of Yemen.

In 2013, South Yemen began calling for independence again, claiming the North was being neglectful. Click here for an article on the South Yemen independence movement.

Click here to view a short clip on a South Yemen march.

Click here for a timeline of Yemen's history

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Iraq 1932

Iraq: Became a mandate of the United Nations after WWI, with administration belonging to Britain. Uprisings immediately began against the British. Attained independence in 1932 as a kingdom and was declared a republic in 1958. The country was ruled by strongmen until 2003, the last being Saddam Hussein. Although Iraq experienced some prosperity early on in Hussein's rule, his decisions to wage war against Iran and Kuwait inflicted tremendous economic and military costs upon the Iraqi people. Now ruled by a tenuous coatition parliament.

Click here for more on Iraqi Independence

Click here for a primary source in which Hussein discusses his decision to invade Iran with his advisors.

Click here for a timeline of 1900-2000 in Iraq.

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Saudi Arabia 1933

Saudi Arabia: Founded in 1932 by Abd Al-Azziz bin Abd Al-Rahman Al-Saud after more than 30 years of trying to unite the Arab peninsula. Riyadh, Nejd, and Hejaz occupied the Arabian peninsula, but were constantly fighting. Al-Saud made it his mission to create a unified country on the Peninsula. Al-Saud conquered Riyadh in 1902 and Nejd in 1906. Hejaz was taken from 1924-25. On September 2, 1933, these conquered areas were united and declared the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The country became an absolute monarch, with Al-Saud as the king. The monarchs use Islamic law as their guide to rule Saudi Arabia.

Click here for a timeline on the history of Saudi Arabia from the BBC

Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive (September 27, 2017)

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Lebanon 1943

Lebanon: Was French mandate after World War I. France combined the coastal plain areas with a majority Muslim population with the mountainous areas that were predominately Christian to create the Republic of Lebanon. The government of Lebanon was modeled after the French government. The French mandate also helped to develop the economy, education, public health, and agriculture systems of Lebanon. France declared Lebanon independent in 1941, but still controlled the country. In 1943, Lebanon formed a democratic government, and changed the constitution so the French mandate would be over. However, the French responded by arresting the Lebanese president and other officials. Lebanese Muslims and Christians united and utilized international pressure to release the leaders. As a result, the French released the imprisoned and completely acknowledged Lebanon as an independent nation on November 22, 1943.

Click here for a timeline on Lebanon

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Jordan 1946

Jordan: Part of the Ottoman Empire until the Arab revolts from 1915-1918. In 1921, Emir Abdullah established the Emirate of Trans-Jordan as a self-governing territory under British mandate. The British helped develop Trans-Jordan, training an army. Starting in 1923, the British recognized that Trans-Jordan was on a path to become an independent nation. The British helped to create schools, roads, communications, and other public works. In 1928, England and Trans-Jordan signed a treaty that lessened the English control over Trans-Jordan. However, England still had control over foreign policy and finances. From this point to 1939, Trans-Jordan created a constitution and a government system. By the end of WWII, England wanted to focus on their own recovery from war. In 1946, the Anglo-Transjordanian Treaty was signed. This recognized Jordan as an official country, ending the British mandate. In 1946 Emir Abdullah became king of Independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. A formal union between Jordan and the West Bank was established in 1951.

Click here for a timeline on Jordan

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Syria 1946

Syria: Given over to France after WWI in accordance to the Sykes-Picot agreement, even though independence had been promised. There was serious political instability following WWI and WWII. In 1941, General De Gaulle promised that the French mandate would end soon. However, this was not the case. In 1944 there was an attempt to create a "Greater Syria" which would include Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. However, many feared that this would lead to a loss of Syrian national identity as the country became absorbed into the larger unified Arab state. There were protests in 1945 that the French were withdrawing too slowly. Independence was achieved on April 17, 1946. This date is known as Syrian Evacuation Day because it is the date that the last French soldier evacuated from Syria, making it an official country.

Click here for a look at Syria's 67th Independence Day from NPR. Instead of a large celebration, the capital city of Damascus was quiet due to the Civil War.

Click here for a timeline on Syria

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Israel 1948

Israel: After World War II, the British gave up its rule over the area known as Palestine, and the region was divided into Arab and Jewish states by the United Nations, and Israel became a nation in 1948. Arab states never recognized the partition and fought numerous wars with Israel. In a 1967 war, Israel expanded its territory, taking the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank from Jordan, and Golan Heights from Syria. Sinai was ultimately returned to Egypt. Israel maintained effective control over West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which are home to a considerable number of Palestinians.

CROSS-LINK: History of Modern Israel

Declaration of Establishment of the State of Israel, May 14, 1948

Click here for a timeline on Israel

Click here for an animated map of the Six Day War (1967).

Click here for the documentary "Israel: The Birth of a Nation"

Click here for an article on Ethiopian Jews who were evacuated to Israel.

Link here for a lesson plan from the New York Times on Israel's history.

Link here for a lesson plan on the controversy between Israel and Palestine, also from the New York Times.

Kuwait 1961

Kuwait: On paper, Kuwait was a province of Ottoman Empire, but did not really act as such. Due to threats of invasion from the Turks, the Sheikh sought protection from Britain in 1897. Remained British protectorate until the mandate was ended and independence under Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah was granted in 1961. When Iraq tried to make claims and threatened to occupy Kuwait, the British were sent back for defense. They were soon replaced by the Arab League. The Arab League officially recognized Kuwait's independence on July 20, 1961, and Iraq was forced to stop it's occupation attempts. Oil makes Kuwait a major trading center and extremely desirable.

Click here for a timeline of Kuwait's history

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Oman 1970

Oman: Had treaties with and was dependent upon Britain, but was never actually a colony. The British used Oman as a base in Indian trade. Oman frequently relied on British help with stopping conflicts and insurgencies. The first Anglo - Omani treaty was signed in 1798. This treaty protected Oman from France and other powers, and also gave England the right for a station in Oman. A treaty signed in 1839 gave the English more power, including limiting Oman duties, giving English jurisdiction over Oman, and the right for the English to detain Oman ships if they were suspected of carrying slaves. Another treaty was signed 1891, which declared Oman would not have to forfeit any part of its country to England. It did however, make Oman a protectorate of England. While the treaties ended in 1958 and 1967, England still had a presence in Oman. This continued until 1970, when Qaboos bin Said al-Said overthrew his father Sultan Said bin Tiamur who had been British backed. From that point on, Oman was fully independent.

Click here for a timeline on Oman

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Qatar 1971

Qatar became a British protectorate in 1916. Britain announced in 1968 that it planned to withdraw from the Gulf. Nine Arab emirates, made up of Qatar, Bahrain, and the seven emirates in the U.A.E., planned on forming an Arab Union of Emirates. However, when Britain withdrew in 1971, the terms of the union had still not been decided. Qatar was declared an independent state on its own on September 3, 1971.

Click here for a timeline of Qatar

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United Arab Emirates 1971

United Arab Emirates: Known as the "Pirate Coast" in the 19th century because of the pirates who inhabited the area. Britain had treaties with the areas that now make up the UAE in order to protect ships in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. Britain handled foreign relations for some of these areas because of the Perpetual Martime Truce signed in 1853. As Arab states and countries gained independence, seven states joined together to form the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Qaiwain make up the UAE. All have relative independence, but are governed by a Supreme Council. The Supreme Council is made up of seven emirs (representing the seven states). The area is now known for its oil reserves and its modern welfare system. Education, health care, and social services are currently provided to all citizens.

Click here for a timeline on United Arab Emirates

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Bahrain 1971

Bahrain: The Ottoman government and England signed a treaty that declared that Bahrain was independent in 1913. However, the country was really a British protectorate. England announced that British bases east of the Suez Canal by 1971. Bahrain gained full independence in 1971. Is ruled by the Al-Khalifa royal family, which has been in control since driving the Persians out of the area in the 1780's.

Click here for a timeline of Bahrain

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Iran 1979

(current government)

Iran: First called Persia, then Iran, this nation has been independent, in various forms with changing borders, for over 2,000 years. It has not been occupied or ruled by a foreign government in modern times. Like China and Egypt, Persia/Iran is one of the world’s birthplaces of civilization. Known as Persia until 1935, and ruled as a monarchy with dynasties similar to China’s, the Shah (or king) was overthrown in 1979. A theocratic government was installed, following conservative Islamic law. There is a Supreme Leader, accountable to an Assembly of Experts; there is also a President.

Click here for a timeline of Iran history

See a timeline of Persian and Iranian history and art here

State of Palestine 1988

After Egypt renounced its claims to the Gaza Strip and Jordan renounced its claims to the West Bank, the Palestinian Liberation Organization proclaimed the independence of the State of Palestine in 1988. However, these territories remained under the physical control of Israel. In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords granted Gaza and West Bank limited self-governance through the Palestinian National Authority, but this failed to result in full independence from Israel. Violence has continued, particularly in and around Gaza, where the group Hamas seized control from the Palestinian National Authority in 2007.

Click here to learn about the Nakba.

How homosexuality became a crime in the Middle East:

“In 1885 the British government introduced new penal codes that punished all homosexual behaviour. Of the more than 70 countries that criminalise homosexual acts today, over half are former British colonies. France introduced similar laws around the same time. After independence, only Jordan and Bahrain did away with such penalties.”

Click here for more info

Independence for Middle East Countries