In this series, we are discussing the events of World War I that ultimately led to the partition of the Ottoman Empire.
This is episode 5-15: Sykes and Picot.
Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of where we are so far:
- Sharif Hussein, the Ottoman governor of Mecca, has confirmed his decision to revolt against the Ottomans if the British support him.
- He begins corresponding with Sir Henry McMahon, the British High Commissioner in Egypt, informing him of his demands.
- Henry McMahon gives carefully worded responses, never promising anything, but keeping Sharif Hussein within the British fold.
- This prompts the British to hold talks with the French to see how much they could offer to Sharif Hussein.
And with that, let’s begin our discussion of the negotiations that led to the infamous Sykes-Picot agreement.
The Ottoman Situation
By the autumn of 1915 the situation in the Ottoman Empire wasn’t all that bad.
The Ottomans had finally won a few battles against the Russians halting their push into Turkey’s interior and even retaking some of that territory.