Turbolent post-war Middle East
Palestinian Uprising
Another major conflict in the former Ottoman Empire erupted in Palestine. The Arabian majority in the “Holy Land” never accepted the British project for a Jewish National Home. Former officers and soldiers of the Ottoman army began to organize local peasants against Jewish settlers. A low intensity conflict began with harsh losses for both sides. Fights and rebellions erupted also in the newly formed Arab State (or Arabia). When British troops leaved, Arab nationalists and border tribes raided Jewish settlements in Palestine and French troops in Lebanon. Pressed by Great Britain, Feisal al Hashemi, the new leader of the Arab State, launched a ruthless military repression against nationalists. He officially recognized the Jewish National Home on July 28th 1918, in Paris. In order to solve the nationality problem, he offered the Arab population in Palestine full rights and citizenship in the Arab State. The new Jewish government granted full rights to its Arab citizens. After the Peace Treaty with the Ottoman Empire, Israel and Arabia born under British protection. They recognized the King of Great Britain as their ruler and were given the status of Dominions. Lebanon became a French protectorate whose status was recognized by both Arabia and Israel. The conflict for Palestine was not over at all. Terrorism and guerrilla actions continued, against both Israeli and Arabian governments. The Paris Treaty decided the political framework and the borders, it didn’t boil down the aims of the warring parties.
Persian Revolution and War
Immediately after the end of the hostilities, in December 1917 Russian army began to retreat from Northern Persia, where it was deployed since the beginning of the 20th Century. During the war, Alexander Kerenskij have had promised full independence to Persia. All the nationalists in Russian hands (Mirza Kuchik Khan included) were released by jails and returned home.
This massive release of nationalists militants, guerrilla fighters and political leaders, followed by the quick retreat of all Russian troops, provoked a new revolution. Mirza Khan, self appointed nationalist leader, gave an ultimatum to the Teheran parliament, led by a mild-nationalist majority. Then mobilised the masses. The government fell without fighting, the parliament was disbanded and new elections were held in August 1918, won by nationalists. On September 1st the Persian Republic was proclaimed.
British India sent new troops in Southern Persia, in order to protect British interests in the Gulf. First clashes between British and Persian troops began in September 1918 in the Shatt al Arab region. Indian troops of Iraq won all battles and began to advance to Teheran, but they were stopped by harsh resistance in Qom and Isfahan. Then the Winter stopped all major operations and Russia could mediate through the League of Nations. In December 1918 a compromise was reached: British had to retreat all troops from occupied territories and renounce all political privileges over Teheran, but they could keep all their properties in the oil sector (Teheran couldn’t nationalize the oil fields managed by the Persian Oil).
Palestinian Uprising
Another major conflict in the former Ottoman Empire erupted in Palestine. The Arabian majority in the “Holy Land” never accepted the British project for a Jewish National Home. Former officers and soldiers of the Ottoman army began to organize local peasants against Jewish settlers. A low intensity conflict began with harsh losses for both sides. Fights and rebellions erupted also in the newly formed Arab State (or Arabia). When British troops leaved, Arab nationalists and border tribes raided Jewish settlements in Palestine and French troops in Lebanon. Pressed by Great Britain, Feisal al Hashemi, the new leader of the Arab State, launched a ruthless military repression against nationalists. He officially recognized the Jewish National Home on July 28th 1918, in Paris. In order to solve the nationality problem, he offered the Arab population in Palestine full rights and citizenship in the Arab State. The new Jewish government granted full rights to its Arab citizens. After the Peace Treaty with the Ottoman Empire, Israel and Arabia born under British protection. They recognized the King of Great Britain as their ruler and were given the status of Dominions. Lebanon became a French protectorate whose status was recognized by both Arabia and Israel. The conflict for Palestine was not over at all. Terrorism and guerrilla actions continued, against both Israeli and Arabian governments. The Paris Treaty decided the political framework and the borders, it didn’t boil down the aims of the warring parties.
Persian Revolution and War
Immediately after the end of the hostilities, in December 1917 Russian army began to retreat from Northern Persia, where it was deployed since the beginning of the 20th Century. During the war, Alexander Kerenskij have had promised full independence to Persia. All the nationalists in Russian hands (Mirza Kuchik Khan included) were released by jails and returned home.
This massive release of nationalists militants, guerrilla fighters and political leaders, followed by the quick retreat of all Russian troops, provoked a new revolution. Mirza Khan, self appointed nationalist leader, gave an ultimatum to the Teheran parliament, led by a mild-nationalist majority. Then mobilised the masses. The government fell without fighting, the parliament was disbanded and new elections were held in August 1918, won by nationalists. On September 1st the Persian Republic was proclaimed.
British India sent new troops in Southern Persia, in order to protect British interests in the Gulf. First clashes between British and Persian troops began in September 1918 in the Shatt al Arab region. Indian troops of Iraq won all battles and began to advance to Teheran, but they were stopped by harsh resistance in Qom and Isfahan. Then the Winter stopped all major operations and Russia could mediate through the League of Nations. In December 1918 a compromise was reached: British had to retreat all troops from occupied territories and renounce all political privileges over Teheran, but they could keep all their properties in the oil sector (Teheran couldn’t nationalize the oil fields managed by the Persian Oil).