PSC 321 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: San Remo Conference, Henry Mcmahon, The San Remo
18 May 2018
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Orientalism
● Orientalism is a concept developed largely through Edward Said’s book, Orientalism
.
The book was extremely controversial, as it essentially “called out” Western nations for
their negative stereotypes of the Middle East
● When you think of Orientalism as a concept, think of the way the East and Arab states
are presented in popular Western culture. For example, think about the movie Aladdin.
The culture is presented as ancient, mystical, and even backward
● Orientalism as a discourse of domination, way of suggesting that the other is inferior
Colonial Legacy
● Colonial legacy is the elements of government, culture, and politics that stick around in
countries even after they become independent states
● For example, in Syria, many people speak French because they were once colonized by
the French. Additionally, colonizing countries often split borders that divided nations
unnaturally. These unnatural borders still cause issues, and this contributes largely to
the colonial legacy
● Unresolved national issues: Balfour Declaration
● Different nationalisms
○ Nationalist movements against colonial rule (state-specific)
○ Arab nationalism
● Colonial practices
○ How they rule the country
■ Divide and rule
● Used by the French in Morocco, Syria, and Lebanon
● Syria (administrative divisions)
● Promote fragmentation
● Exacerbate divisions between sectarian groups
● Undermine Arab nationalism
■ Empower certain groups v. others
● State building
○ Colonial practices varied when it comes to:
○ Devolution of power to local agencies / administrators
■ Implications for bureaucratic development
○ Allocation of resources (ex: relative spending on education v. security)
● Limits of colonial legacy
○ Agency of local leaders during and after colonial rule
○ Political decisions after independence
○ Local institutions prior to European colonialsm
Primordialism
● Primordialism is a school of thought that believes identity is fixed and difficult to change
● As a result, groups with differing religions, languages, and cultures will not be able to
peacefully coincide, as their differences cannot be overcome
● Identities are ascribed; fixed; and predetermined
● Nations are old; based on biological, cultural, or linguistic bonds
Sykes-Picot Agreement
● The Sykes-Picot agreement was a secret pact settled in 1916, between the UK and
France
● The agreement occurred at the end of WWI and divided what was the Ottoman Empire.
The divisions are notoriously unnatural, and the agreement is often said to be at fault for
continuing conflict in the MENA
● Additionally, the British had previously promised an Arab homeland in Syria, which they
did not receive because Sykes-Picot gave Syria to France
● Borders were determined by balancing colonial interests against local resistance
Hussayn McMahon Correspondence
● The Hussayn McMahon correspondence was a series of letters exchanged between
Hussayn ibn Ali and Britain’s high commissioner over Egypt, Sir Henry McMahon during
WWI
● The letters promised Hussayn an independent Arab state in exchange for support of
Britain’s military expenditures
● Of course, this agreement was negated (undone) by the Sykes-Picot agreement
San Remo Conference
● The San Remo conference occurred at the end of WWI. It included the Allied powers of
Britain, France, Italy, and Japan. The leaders of these countries spilt the Middle East into
Syria, Mesopotamia, and Palestine
● This was the first time “Palestine” was an established state. The borders remained
contests and were not finalized until four years later
● Produced the Treaty of Sevres in August 1920
Balfour Declaration
● The Balfour Declaration was a 1917 statement by the British government stating their
support for a Jewish nation and homeland in Palestine; but that nothing shall be done to
prejudice the existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or any other country
○ Politically, it seems Britain hoped that this would please American Jewry, which
would pressure the US government into giving more assistance in the allied war
○ Underlying the political concerns were very close connections between leading
advocates of the Zionist cause and members of the British cabinet
● In a sense, it contradicted the Hussayn-McMahon correspondence that promised a
homeland for Arabs
● Sealed Britain’s role in Palestine and sowed the seeds of double promise and betrayal
for a long time to come
Nationalism
● Nationalism is the basis for identity politics. It is a sense of pride and belonging with a
group. Sometimes this results in a desire to have a homeland with a homogeneous
community wherein the nation will reside
Arab Nationalism
● Arab nationalism is a strong sense of Arab identity, and it is largely language-based
● Egypt’s Nasser strove to create a strong sense of Arab nationalism, in an attempt to
unite the Arabian Peninsula into one state. Arab nationalism ultimately failed, due partly
Document Summary
Orientalism is a concept developed largely through edward said"s book, orientalism . The book was extremely controversial, as it essentially called out western nations for their negative stereotypes of the middle east. When you think of orientalism as a concept, think of the way the east and arab states are presented in popular western culture. The culture is presented as ancient, mystical, and even backward. Orientalism as a discourse of domination, way of suggesting that the other is inferior. Colonial legacy is the elements of government, culture, and politics that stick around in countries even after they become independent states. For example, in syria, many people speak french because they were once colonized by the french. Additionally, colonizing countries often split borders that divided nations unnaturally. These unnatural borders still cause issues, and this contributes largely to the colonial legacy. Used by the french in morocco, syria, and lebanon. Colonial practices varied when it comes to:
