Sykes-Picot Agreement

Definition

The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret 1916 treaty between Britain and France, with the assent of Russia, which aimed to divide the Ottoman Empire's territories in the Middle East after World War I. This agreement laid the groundwork for future conflicts in the region by disregarding ethnic, tribal, and religious boundaries, which later contributed to a legacy of instability and tensions between various groups.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The agreement was made without any input from the Arab population, who were promised independence in exchange for their support against the Ottomans.
2. The arbitrary borders drawn by the Sykes-Picot Agreement ignored existing ethnic and religious divisions, contributing to long-term conflict in the region.
3. The agreement was publicly revealed in 1917, leading to widespread anger among Arabs who felt betrayed by Western powers.
4. Following World War I, the League of Nations implemented the mandate system that further entrenched Western control over Middle Eastern territories previously part of the Ottoman Empire.
5. The Sykes-Picot Agreement is often cited as a key factor in the ongoing conflicts and struggles for national identity in the Middle East today.

Review Questions

• How did the Sykes-Picot Agreement influence Arab nationalism and perceptions of Western powers during and after World War I?
  • The Sykes-Picot Agreement significantly impacted Arab nationalism as it contradicted promises made to Arab leaders regarding independence. Arabs who fought alongside the Allies against the Ottomans felt betrayed when they learned about this secret agreement. This feeling of betrayal fueled anti-Western sentiment and heightened calls for self-determination, which shaped future movements for independence across the Middle East.
• Evaluate the consequences of the Sykes-Picot Agreement on the political landscape of the modern Middle East.
  • The Sykes-Picot Agreement had profound consequences on the political landscape of the modern Middle East. By imposing artificial borders that did not consider ethnic or religious realities, it laid a foundation for ongoing tensions and conflicts within newly formed states. The division of territories contributed to civil wars, sectarian violence, and struggles for power, ultimately affecting regional stability and international relations well into the 21st century.
• Critically analyze how the legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement continues to shape contemporary issues in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
  • The legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement is deeply embedded in contemporary Middle Eastern geopolitics, as its arbitrary borders have created lasting divisions among different ethnic and religious groups. This has led to ongoing conflicts such as those seen in Iraq and Syria, where sectarian divisions often trace back to decisions made over a century ago. Furthermore, many current political disputes and claims to territory are influenced by historical grievances linked to this agreement, complicating efforts for peace and reconciliation in a region still grappling with its colonial past.

Related terms

Mandate System: A system established by the League of Nations that allowed Western powers to administer former Ottoman territories as mandates, creating new political entities in the Middle East.

Arab Revolt: A revolt during World War I led by Arab nationalists against Ottoman rule, partly spurred by promises of independence from the British in exchange for support against the Ottomans.

Balfour Declaration: A statement issued by the British government in 1917 that expressed support for a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine, further complicating the geopolitical landscape established by the Sykes-Picot Agreement.