What Was Palestine Like in the 19th Century?

British Empire — From Ottoman Territory to British Mandate: Palestine in the 20th Century

In this course, we explore the history of Palestine during the British Mandate (1920-1948), focusing on: (i) the significant geopolitical changes during World War I, including the decline of the Ottoman Empire and conflicting promises made by Britain, notably the Balfour Declaration of 1917; (ii) the establishment of the mandate system post-war, highlighting Palestine’s unique status and the incorporation of Zionist aims into British policy; (iii) early Arab-Jewish tensions and British responses during the mandate, marked by low-level violence and the 1929 riots; (iv) the escalation of conflict during the 1936-1939 Arab revolt and the failed partition plans; (v) the growing unrest leading to Britain's realization in the late 1940s that the mandate was unworkable, culminating in the 1946 bombing of the King David Hotel; and (vi) the pivotal UN Resolution 181 advocating for partition, the outbreak of civil war, and the subsequent declaration of the State of Israel in 1948, resulting in the displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinian Arabs.

What Was Palestine Like in the 19th Century?

In this lecture, we examine the significant changes in Palestine and the broader Ottoman Empire leading up to and during World War I. Key points include: (i) the decline of the Ottoman Empire by 1914, marked by military and political weakness and the decision to ally with Germany; (ii) the devastating effects of the war on the Arab population, including conscription, famine, and blockades; (iii) the authoritarian rule of the Ottoman government during the conflict, which stifled Arab nationalist movements and led to persecution of suspected nationalists; (iv) Britain's renewed interest in the Middle East, resulting in secret negotiations and conflicting promises to Arabs regarding post-war sovereignty; and (v) the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported a Jewish national home in Palestine while neglecting Arab national rights. The lecture emphasises the complexity of these geopolitical dynamics as they laid the groundwork for future conflicts and transformations in the region.