History Mandatory Iraq

1 history

1.1 unrest
1.2 coronation of faisal
1.3 later years

history
early unrest

three important anticolonial secret societies had been formed in iraq during 1918 , 1919. league of islamic awakening (jam iyya an-naḥda al-islāmiyya) organized @ najaf. muslim national league (al-jam iyya al-waṭaniyya al-islāmiyya) formed object of organizing , mobilizing population major resistance. in february 1919, in baghdad, coalition of shia merchants, sunni teachers, , civil servants, sunni , shia ulama, , iraqi officers formed guardians of independence (harās al-istiqlāl). istiqlal had member groups in karbala, najaf, kut, , hillah.

the grand mujtahid of karbala, imam shirazi, , son, mirza muhammad riza, began organize insurgent effort. shirazi issued fatwa (religious ruling), pointing out against islamic law muslims countenance being ruled non-muslims, , called jihad against british. july 1920, mosul in rebellion against british rule, , insurrection moved south down euphrates river valley. southern tribes, cherished long-held political autonomy, needed little inducement join in fray. did not cooperate in organized effort against british, however, limited effect of revolt. country in state of anarchy 3 months; british restored order reinforcements india.

the iraqi revolt against british of 1920 watershed event in contemporary iraqi history. first time, sunnis , shias, tribes , cities, brought in common effort. in opinion of hanna batatu, author of seminal work on iraq, building of nation-state in iraq depended upon 2 major factors: integration of shias , sunnis new body politic , successful resolution of age-old conflicts between tribes , riverine cities , among tribes on food-producing flatlands of tigris , euphrates. 1920 rebellion brought these groups together, if briefly; constituted important first step in long , arduous process of forging nation-state out of iraq s conflict-ridden social structure.

coronation of faisal

at cairo conference of march 1921, british set parameters iraqi political life continue until 1958 revolution; chose hashemite, faisal ibn husayn, son of sherif hussein ibn ali former sharif of mecca iraq s first king; established iraqi army (but kept assyrian levies under direct british command); , proposed new treaty. confirm faisal iraq s first monarch, one-question plebiscite arranged had return of 96 percent in favor. british saw in faisal leader possessed sufficient nationalist , islamic credentials have broad appeal, vulnerable enough remain dependent on support. faisal traced descent family of prophet muhammad. ancestors held political authority in holy cities of mecca , medina since 10th century. british believed these credentials satisfy traditional arab standards of political legitimacy; moreover, british thought faisal accepted growing iraqi nationalist movement because of role in 1916 arab revolt against turks, achievements leader of iraq emancipation movement, , general leadership qualities. faisal instated monarch of iraq after naquib of baghdad disqualified being old (80 yrs) , sayid talib (a prominent iraqi province of basra) deported on trumped charges british. voting far reflection of true feelings of iraqi people. nevertheless, faisal considered effective choice throne british government.

the final major decision taken @ cairo conference related new anglo-iraqi treaty of 1922. faisal under pressure nationalists , anti-british mujtahids of najaf , karbala limit both british influence in iraq , duration of treaty. recognizing monarchy depended on british support— , wishing avoid repetition of experience in syria — faisal maintained moderate approach in dealing britain. treaty, had been set 20-year engagement later reduced 4 years, ratified in june 1924; stated king heed british advice on matters affecting british interests , on fiscal policy long iraq had balance of payments deficit britain, , british officials appointed specified posts in 18 departments act advisers , inspectors. subsequent financial agreement, increased financial burden on iraq, required iraq pay half cost of supporting british resident officials, among other expenses. british obligations under new treaty included providing various kinds of aid, notably military assistance, , proposing iraq membership in league of nations @ earliest moment. in effect, treaty ensured iraq remain politically , economically dependent on britain. while unable prevent treaty, faisal felt british had gone on promises him.

on 1 october 1922, royal air force in iraq reorganized raf iraq command, , given control of british forces in kingdom.

the british decision @ cairo conference establish indigenous iraqi army significant. in iraq, in of developing world, military establishment has been best organized institution in otherwise weak political system. thus, while iraq s body politic crumbled under immense political , economic pressure throughout monarchic period, military gained increasing power , influence; moreover, because officers in new army necessity sunnis had served under ottomans, while lower ranks predominantly filled shia tribal elements, sunni dominance in military preserved.

later years

the new anglo-iraqi treaty signed in june 1930. provided close alliance, full , frank consultations between 2 countries in matters of foreign policy, , mutual assistance in case of war. iraq granted british use of air bases near basra , @ al habbaniyah , right move troops across country. treaty, of twenty-five years duration, come force upon iraq s admission league of nations.

with signing of 1930 treaty , settling of mosul question, iraqi politics took on new dynamic. emerging class of sunni , shia landowning tribal sheikhs vied positions of power wealthy , prestigious urban-based sunni families , ottoman-trained army officers , bureaucrats. because iraq s newly established political institutions creation of foreign power, , because concept of democratic government had no precedent in iraqi history, politicians in baghdad lacked legitimacy , never developed rooted constituencies. thus, despite constitution , elected assembly, iraqi politics more shifting alliance of important personalities , cliques democracy in western sense. absence of broadly based political institutions inhibited nationalist movement s ability make deep inroads iraq s diverse social structure.

the mandatory administration continued operate until 1932.