Curzon and British Imperialism in the Middle East, 1916-1919

by Fisher; John

• ISBN13: 9780714644295
• ISBN10: 0714644293
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1999-03-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This book explores the acquisitive thinking which, from the autumn of 1914, nourished the Mesopotamian Expedition and examines the political issues, international and imperial, delegated to a War Cabinet committee under Curzon. The motives of Curzon and others in attempting to obtain a privileged political position in the Hejaz are studied in the context of inter-Allied suspicions and Turkish intrigues in the Arabian Peninsula. Debate on the future of Mesopotamia provided an outlet for differences between those who justified British gains on the basis of military conquests and those who realised that expansion must be reconciled with broader international trends. By 1918, Britain was developing strategic priorities in the Caucasus. Fisher analyses Turco-German aims in 1918 and challenges the notion of their leading, straightforwardly, to the zenith of British imperialism in the region. This is a penetrating study of war imperialism, when statesmen contemplated strong measures of control in several areas ofthe Middle East.

Author Biography

John Fisher currently works as a Reader Adviser at the Public Record Office in London.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	vi
List of Appendices	vi
List of Illustrations	vii
Abbreviations	viii
Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	xi
Playing Babylon against Byzantium	1	(41)
The Mesopotamian Administration Committee	42	(24)
Arabian Matters	66	(45)
Britain, Mesopotamia and the Middle East, 1918	111	(45)
The war for Mastery of Asia	156	(39)
From the Turkish Armistice to the Foreign Ofice: `All the Pieces on the Table'	195	(99)
Conclusion	294	(8)
Appendices	302	(23)
Bibliography	325	(8)
Index	333