What Was the Sykes Picot Agreement

The Sykes-Picot Agreement, also known as the Asia Minor Agreement, was a secret treaty signed between France and the United Kingdom on May 16, 1916. The agreement aimed to divide the Ottoman Empire`s territories in the Middle East if the empire was defeated in World War I.

The Sykes-Picot Agreement took its name from its two negotiators, Sir Mark Sykes of the United Kingdom and François Georges-Picot of France. The agreement aimed to divide the territories of the Ottoman Empire, which was a major ally of Germany during World War I.

According to the Sykes-Picot Agreement, the territories of the Ottoman Empire would be divided into zones of influence for France and the United Kingdom. France would have control over the northern part of the Levant, including modern-day Syria and Lebanon, while the United Kingdom would control Iraq, Jordan, and a small coastal strip including Haifa and Acre.

The Sykes-Picot Agreement was kept a secret from the other Allied Powers, including Russia and the United States. However, the agreement was leaked to the public by the Russian Bolsheviks in 1917, causing a diplomatic scandal.

The Sykes-Picot Agreement was controversial because it did not take into account the aspirations of the local Arab populations, who were seeking independence from Ottoman rule. The agreement also ignored the promises made by the British to the Arabs in the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence, which pledged support for an Arab state in exchange for Arab support against the Ottomans.

The Sykes-Picot Agreement played a significant role in shaping the political map of the Middle East after World War I. The agreement led to the establishment of British and French Mandates over the former Ottoman territories, which later became the independent countries of Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

In conclusion, the Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret treaty signed by France and the United Kingdom during World War I, which aimed to divide the territories of the Ottoman Empire. The agreement was controversial because it did not take into account the aspirations of the local Arab populations, and it played a significant role in shaping the political map of the Middle East after the war.