Most international
problems in the 1920s and 1930s were on a small scale, but were nonetheless
less violent and significant. In the Middle East the former provinces of the
Turkish Empire were transferred to the League of Nations, but administrated by
either Britain or France. In 1920 a serious rebellion broke out in Iraq, which
led the British to appoint Prince Faisal to be King of Iraq though he had only
limited powers until 1932. In 1922 a similar uprising in Egypt caused the
British to grant effective self-government though a large British army remained
to guard the crucial Suez Canal. The situation in Palaestine was more
complicated as the British had earlier agreed to support Jewish settlement in
the area, and this was opposed by the native Palestinians. Riots, rebellions
and assassinations continued in Palestine throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
In North Africa
the French faced rebellions in Morocco and Algeria from inland tribes who resented
rule by the coastal peoples almost as much as they did French economic
dominance. The French chose not to compromise, but instead opted for a large
scale military occupation that was successful, but costly. In Libya the
Italians faced similar, but less intense unrest.
from "The Historical Atlas of the World at War" by Rupert Matthews
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