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The Sykes-Picot Agreement, concluded in 1916 during World War I, was a secret diplomatic accord between Britain and France, with the assent of Russia, that outlined the division of the Ottoman Empire's territories in the Middle East. It effectively carved up the region into zones of British and French influence, disregarding the aspirations of local populations for self-determination. The agreement laid the groundwork for modern borders in the Middle East, leading to lasting geopolitical tensions. Its revelation in 1917 fueled Arab disillusionment, as it contradicted promises made to Arab leaders for independence.
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Who is Picot?
Picot was a French diplomat who worked with the British diplomat Sykes during World War I to set the borders of the Middle East after the war. The current borders in the Middle East are largely a result of this collaboration, called the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
Who controlled the middle east before the Sykes picot agreement?
The OTTOMAN EMPIRE controlled the lion's share of the Middle East from 1517 to 1919, when it was carved up by Britain, France and the Saudi Royal Family. The British and French division of the Levant and Mesopotamia has been termed the "Sykes-Picot Agreement".Obviously, other countries controlled the Middle East before the Ottomans overran it in 1517.
What was the Sykes picot accord?
The Sykes-Picot Accord, negotiated in 1916 between Britain and France during World War I, was a secret agreement that delineated their proposed spheres of influence and control in the Middle East following the anticipated defeat of the Ottoman Empire. The accord aimed to divide the region into zones of British and French administration, disregarding the ethnic and sectarian complexities of the area. It later became a source of resentment in the Arab world, as it contradicted promises made to Arab leaders for independence in exchange for their support against the Ottomans. The agreement laid the groundwork for many of the geopolitical conflicts that continue to affect the region today.
What was the secret agreement between the British and the French that would carve up the Middle East after an Allied Victory in World War I?
The Sykes-Picot Treaty of 1916 is the agreement in question.
What impacts did the Sykes-Picot Agreement have on the Middle East in the 12th century?
It divided the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire outside the Arabian peninsula into areas of future British and French control or influence.
What European countries in effect drew the map of the middle east?
The British and French drew most of the borders in the Middle East in the Sykes-Picot Agreement. Turkey and Israel also helped to draw the borders in the Middle East after successful military campaigns (which neither started).
Why have the borders drawn under the Sykes-Picot agreement caused so much trouble in the MIddle East?
The borders delineated by the implementation of Sykes-Picot were not reflective of the actual ethnic and religious groups on the ground. Some groups were split between different states, like the Kurds, between French Syria, British Iraq, and Turkey, and some groups were pushed together unnaturally into states like Syria, which houses Alawites, Sunni Muslims, Druze, Christians, and Ismaili Shiite Muslims.
What empire controlled most of the middle east except for a few years between 1516 and 1917?
The OTTOMAN EMPIRE controlled the lion's share of the Middle East from 1517 to 1919, when it was carved up by Britain, France and the Saudi Royal Family. The British and French division of the Levant and Mesopotamia has been termed the "Sykes-Picot Agreement".
What two countries divided the Middle East into countries after World War 1?
After World War I, the Middle East was primarily divided by Britain and France through the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. This agreement established spheres of influence and territorial mandates in the region, leading to the creation of modern states such as Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The division often disregarded ethnic and religious boundaries, contributing to long-term conflicts in the region.
When did European countries partition the Middle East?
The partitioning of the Upper Middle East between Britain and France under Sykes-Picot Agreement took place in 1917, but the realization of this partitioning in the creation of the Mandates of Palestine, Iraq, and Syria did not happen until 1919. Many other areas of the Middle East came under Imperial Protection even earlier, in the 19th century. Egypt fell under British control in 1882 and the Trucial States (now the United Arab Emirates) fell under British control even earlier, in 1820.
Are experts who say the Sykes-Picot agreement is responsible for much of the trouble in the Middle East today correct?
NO. While Sykes-Picot and the current border arrangements in the Middle East exacerbate tensions, those tensions come from underlying problems and issues that Sykes-Picot did not cause nor is responsible for.Exacerbation from Sykes-PicotThe borders delineated by the implementation of Sykes-Picot were not reflective of the actual ethnic and religious groups on the ground. Some groups were split between different states, like the Kurds, between French Syria, British Iraq, and Turkey, and some groups were pushed together unnaturally into states like Syria, which houses Alawites, Sunni Muslims, Druze, Christians, and Ismaili Shiite Muslims.Underlying IssuesThe majority of Middle East conflicts derive from the tribal mentality that is present in Arab States along with repression-based politics. The system as set up in numerous Arab countries, such as Libya and Iraq is that each person has sole loyalty to his tribal leader and not to a national government. As a result, these tribal leaders become their own de facto city states that go to war against each other. Sadr City in Baghdad was the most famous such micro-country. Each tribe promises its members better conditions at the expense of the conditions of a different tribe. As a result, the tribes come into direct conflict.What has typically happened in Arab National Governments is that one tribe has ascended to power and forcibly represses the other tribes to make good on its promise. This particular case is most visible in Syria where the Alawite Muslims (who make up less than 20% of the country) have ruled with an iron fist since the 1960s and made life terrible for the majority Sunni Muslims (completely without Israeli or Palestinian intervention).If more Arab countries become like Tunisia, federated states based on the sentiment of national unity, pride, and self-defense, where there is true freedom of religion and freedom of speech there may a great lessening of Middle East Conflicts. It is the deprivation of these identities and rights that results in much of the Middle East conflicts. These kinds of governments could exist in the current states determined by Sykes-Picot.
Why did the big three split up the Middle East?
The Big Three—Britain, France, and Russia—split up the Middle East after World War I primarily to expand their own imperial interests in the region. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 established spheres of influence, dividing the territories of the Ottoman Empire among them. This division aimed to secure strategic advantages and access to resources, while also managing local nationalist movements. The arbitrary borders drawn during this period have since contributed to ongoing conflicts and instability in the region.
