SGQ12

Crisis in the Middle East p. 3-9

What was the Jewish claim to Palestine?

That is was given to them by God and they had lived in it for thousands of years.

What was the importance of the Balfour Declaration?

It gave land from the Palestine to Jewish settlers, but the Arabs didn't want the Jews there and did not think the Jews deserved the land.

What was the Arab claim to Palestine?

They had lived there ever since the Jews had left and made up the majority of the people. The Arabs also wanted the land because it was holy to them.

To what extent was WWI a turning point in the struggle for Arab independence?

The Arabs thought of it as a turning point. They felt they would gain their independence, but in reality the land was technically owned by the British and French, although the government was Arabic.

Why did Britain and France want mandates in the Middle East?

They wanted the natural resources and land that resided there. They also wanted to overthrow the Turks.