Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi

Abstract

After
the end of the First World War, many negotiations between the Allies were held
since December of 1918, in the course of sharing of the Middle East and
establishing new states.  In January
1919, during the Paris Peace Conference where the post-war new world order would
discuss, the way of the establishment of the states in Syria and Iraq was put
on the agenda. However, when it was taken account of the British declaration of
establishing a Jewish settlement in Palestine in the Balfour Declaration in
1917, it was not possible to preserve the peace in Arab lands. The British and
the French were faced with intense reactions in the process of implementing the
decisions of the San Remo Conference which was held in April 1920 to shape the
peace treaty with Ottoman State, in Syria, Palestine and Iraq. Besides, as a
result of British-French negotiations which started in 1919 and concentrated
during 1920, the withdrawal of British from Syria for the benefits of France
disappointed Sheriff Hussein and his son Faisal, this caused new uncertainties
for the region. Hence, the expulsion of Faisal from Syria after the Battle of
Maysalun in July, 1920 began to disturb the British. Britain helped Faisal to
become the king of Iraq and had a green light to his brother Abdullah to become
king in Jordan in order to prevent them as an impediment in Cairo Conference in
March 1921. Despite all the arrangements, the British and French mandate
regimes faced with serious difficulties in the process of establishing full
control in Arab lands while trying to keep their sovereignty.