Essay: Nationalism in the Middle East
Nationalism is the identification with one’s own language and the support
of political independence. Arab nationalism developed in north Africa and
the middle east where people shared Islam, Arabic as a common language
and Arabic culture. Jewish nationalism only developed in the 20th century
and most Jews were dispersed through central and eastern Europe.
Arab leaders began to use the idea of a common Arab language and
culture as a way to resist ottoman rule. The first Arab national congress
was held in 1913 and the Arab national manifesto spelt out plans for their
autonomy. During WW1, many Arab groups sided with the allies. The
ottomans joined the central powers. The Arab groups expected Britain and
France to honour their support for Arab independence. After the war,
Britain and France decided to divide the ottoman empire amongst
themselves in order to protect oil that had been discovered. Arab
nationalism began to take on a strong anti-western flavour.
Zionism is the belief that Judaism is a nationality as well as a religion, and
that Jews deserve their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. In
many European countries, there was an increase in antisemitism. In 1897,
influenced by the trends in Europe, Jewish leaders came together at the
first Zionist congress in Switzerland. The leader of the Zionist movement
was Theodore Herzl. After ears of prosecution, they wanted a national
homeland for Jewish people. They encouraged the immigration of Jews to
Palestine and tried to get support for a national home for the Jews.
In 1917, Lord Balfour wrote a letter to the Jewish community promising
support for a Jewish homeland. This letter became known as the Balfour
declaration. The Zionists used the Balfour declaration to put pressure on
Britain to support a Jewish state. The Balfour declaration was in contrast
with Britain’s commitment to Palestinian Arab independence in the middle
east after WW1.
After WW1, Britain and France received the League of Nations to govern
parts of the middle east that had previously been under ottoman control.
Zionists understood that the league of nations supported the Balfour
declaration. The Arabs were under the impression that Britain and France
were supporting the idea of their autonomy and that it would be granted.
In the 1930s WW2, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased. Persecution
of the Jews increased as the Nazi party gained power in Germany. Britain
supported immigration. Wealthy Jews bought land from Palestinian
landowners. Palestinians demanded the end of Jewish immigration and
organized anti-British protests. Jews saw this as a form of antisemitism
and formed self-defence groups like Haganah. Palestinian Arabs
increasingly came to see Britain’s actions as supporting a Jewish state.
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
Nationalism is the identification with one’s own language and the support
of political independence. Arab nationalism developed in north Africa and
the middle east where people shared Islam, Arabic as a common language
and Arabic culture. Jewish nationalism only developed in the 20th century
and most Jews were dispersed through central and eastern Europe.
Arab leaders began to use the idea of a common Arab language and
culture as a way to resist ottoman rule. The first Arab national congress
was held in 1913 and the Arab national manifesto spelt out plans for their
autonomy. During WW1, many Arab groups sided with the allies. The
ottomans joined the central powers. The Arab groups expected Britain and
France to honour their support for Arab independence. After the war,
Britain and France decided to divide the ottoman empire amongst
themselves in order to protect oil that had been discovered. Arab
nationalism began to take on a strong anti-western flavour.
Zionism is the belief that Judaism is a nationality as well as a religion, and
that Jews deserve their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. In
many European countries, there was an increase in antisemitism. In 1897,
influenced by the trends in Europe, Jewish leaders came together at the
first Zionist congress in Switzerland. The leader of the Zionist movement
was Theodore Herzl. After ears of prosecution, they wanted a national
homeland for Jewish people. They encouraged the immigration of Jews to
Palestine and tried to get support for a national home for the Jews.
In 1917, Lord Balfour wrote a letter to the Jewish community promising
support for a Jewish homeland. This letter became known as the Balfour
declaration. The Zionists used the Balfour declaration to put pressure on
Britain to support a Jewish state. The Balfour declaration was in contrast
with Britain’s commitment to Palestinian Arab independence in the middle
east after WW1.
After WW1, Britain and France received the League of Nations to govern
parts of the middle east that had previously been under ottoman control.
Zionists understood that the league of nations supported the Balfour
declaration. The Arabs were under the impression that Britain and France
were supporting the idea of their autonomy and that it would be granted.
In the 1930s WW2, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased. Persecution
of the Jews increased as the Nazi party gained power in Germany. Britain
supported immigration. Wealthy Jews bought land from Palestinian
landowners. Palestinians demanded the end of Jewish immigration and
organized anti-British protests. Jews saw this as a form of antisemitism
and formed self-defence groups like Haganah. Palestinian Arabs
increasingly came to see Britain’s actions as supporting a Jewish state.
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
