Developments in West Asia and North Africa

Developments in West Asia and North Africa

Syria and Lebanon Become Independent

• After the war, France attempted to reestablish its control

over Syria and Lebanon. However, strong resistance from the local populations, along with growing international pressure, forced the French to withdraw. By the end of 1946, both Syria and Lebanon had gained their independence.

Libya Gains Independence

• During World War II, some of the fiercest battles between German and British forces took place in Libya.

• After the war ended, Libya was occupied by Britain and France.

• In 1951, Libya achieved independence and established a

monarchy as its form of government.

The State of Israel

• Palestine came under British mandate in 1919, and British troops reoccupied the region in 1945.

• The land was home to both Arabs and Jews. The Zionist movement claimed that Palestine was the ancestral homeland of all Jews, regardless of where they were living, and sought to restore it to them.

• The British authorities in Palestine allowed some Jews from outside the region to settle there. Meanwhile, the Zionists were actively campaigning for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. This complicated the freedom movement, as the majority of the population

were Arabs.

In 1947, the United Nations passed a resolution to divide Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states.

In 1948, the British withdrew their forces from Palestine, and shortly thereafter, the state of Israel was declared. This triggered a war between Israel and the neighboring Arab states.

The Arab states were defeated in the conflict, and the creation of Israel became a source of ongoing tension in West Asia.

The policies of the Israeli government intensified the bitterness, leading to approximately 900,000 Arabs being displaced from their homes and lands in Palestine, rendering them refugees.

In 1956, Israel joined Britain and France in invading Egypt. Subsequent wars between Israel and the Arab states resulted in Israel occupying large portions of territories belonging to other Arab nations.

These territories include the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank.

In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was established to advocate for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Later, an agreement was reached between Israel and the PLO. Under this agreement, the PLO recognized the state of Israel, and Israel agreed to grant Palestinians limited autonomy in certain areas currently under Israeli control.

Revolution in Egypt

After World War I, Egypt became a British mandate. However, due to growing nationalist pressure, Egypt was declared independent in 1922, although British troops continued to be stationed there.

Following World War II, calls for the withdrawal of British forces intensified.

Dissatisfaction also grew against the Egyptian king, who had been placed on the throne by the British.

This unrest culminated in a revolution in 1952, when the Egyptian army, led by Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser and General Muhammad Naguib, overthrew the monarchy and declared Egypt a republic.

The new government demanded the removal of British troops, who finally withdrew in June 1956.

Freedom Struggle in Algeria

As in Indo-China, the French returned to Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. However, in 1956 Tunisia and Morocco won their independence.

Algeria, a North African country, endured one of the longest and most difficult struggles for independence.

• France had begun its conquest of Algeria as early as 1830, but it took nearly four decades for France to fully establish control over the territory.

After World War II

• In 1954, the Algerian nationalist group known as the FLN (National Liberation Front) launched a call for armed resistance against French rule.

• On July 1, 1962, a referendum was held in Algeria, and the people voted almost unanimously in favor of independence.

• Algeria officially became an independent republic on July 4, 1962.