How did the Paris peace conference affect Arabs?

Answer 1

No Real Voice for Arabs:

Arab representatives, such as Prince Faisal (son of Sharif Hussein), did attend the conference, hoping to secure Arab independence.

However, major powers (Britain, France, the U.S.) controlled the agenda and largely ignored Arab aspirations.

Sykes-Picot Agreement Exposed:

A secret 1916 deal between Britain and France (Sykes-Picot Agreement) had already divided the Ottoman Arab lands into zones of influence.

When this was exposed, it became clear that Britain and France had no intention of granting Arab independence.

Mandate System Imposed:

Instead of full independence, the League of Nations placed former Ottoman territories under the "mandate system", effectively giving Britain and France control.

France got Syria and Lebanon, while Britain got Palestine, Transjordan, and Iraq.

Betrayal and Anger:

Arabs felt betrayed by Western powers, especially Britain, for breaking wartime promises.

This fueled nationalist movements and long-term resentment, especially in Palestine, Iraq, and Syria.

Answer 2

The Paris Peace Conference of 1919 significantly affected Arabs by disregarding their aspirations for independence following World War I. Instead of granting self-determination, the conference led to the division of Arab lands into mandates controlled by European powers, particularly Britain and France. This decision fueled feelings of betrayal and resentment among Arabs, as they had expected support for their nationalist movements. Ultimately, the outcomes of the conference sowed the seeds for future conflicts and shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.