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Why did the Arab Revolt Break out in 1916? (Long term Loss of Influence of…
Why did the Arab Revolt Break out in 1916?
Long term Loss of Influence of Arab notable families in Greater Syria under CUP from 1909
CUP wanted political security so wanted to centralise administrative control
In Damascus al-Abid family were dismissed from their posts, had their land confiscated and were exiled to Paris
Young Turks had to get rid of old order which had been loyal to Sultan Abdul Hamid II
Notables could no longer satisfy clients and saw CUP as "Turkifying" government
The development of the Arab Cultural movement and the Party of the Ottoman Administrative Decentralisation
Arab Cultural Movement
In response to the "Turkification" of the Ottoman Empire there was a revival of Arab culture
secret organisations and literary clubs wanted:
the recognition of Arab as an official language
The appointment of Arabs to government posts in Arab territories
Increased political autonomy for Arab provinces, wanted decentralisation of power from Istanbul
Party of the Ottoman Administrative Decentralisation
President was Rafiq al-Azm who came from a disenfranchised Arab notable family in Damascus
organisation dominated by urban Syrian notables
Wanted to reach an accommodation in the Ottoman Empire (not independence)
Sharif Husayn Ibn Ali's personal ambitions
Had established a series of tribal alliances meaning that he had autonomy from Istanbul
Wanted to make his position as Emir of Mecca hereditary for his family
Husayn wrote a letter to the British High Commissioner in Egypt (macmahon) in July 1915 asking for an alliance in order to launch an Arab revolt against the Ottomans
Claimed to represent all of the Arab people
Demanded supplies and weapons for the revolt
demanded his own kingdom after the war
British Interference and encouragment
British feared that the Muslim World would unite against them as Sultan had called jihad in 1914
Wanted a Muslim ally - chose Husayn Ibn Ali
Was the Emir of Mecca which was a prestigious position because:
guarded the holy cities
Organised Hajj
Direct descendent of Muhammad
Distrusted CUP
Demands
Arab revolt
Special British position in Baghdad and Basra
This would cause problems in India
Increased Oppression of Arab Notables in Greater Syria during WWI
CUP worried that the Arab notables would not be loyal due to their political and cultural activism before the war
especially focussed on the Party of the Ottoman Administrative Decentralisation and Maronite Christians because of their good relations with French
Special wartime regime established under Jamal Pasha
Initially wanted to have good relations with Arabs
In January 1915 Pasha led an attack on British to seize Suez Canal but failed
Convinced that this failure was due to the Arab Leaders being in secret contact with Britain and France
Deported many Arabs to Anatolia and put notables in prison accusing them of treason
August 1915: 11 notables were publicly hanged in Beirut
Most of the Arab notables hanged were associated with the Party of the Ottoman Administrative Decentralisation