RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND 19TH CENTURY TRENDS Thi

This research paper explains how the emergence and spread of nationalisms, the revolutions of mid-century; the exploitation of oil and Islamic populism resulted from and accelerated trends that have been ongoing since the nineteenth century.

Emergence and Spread of Nationalisms

Nationalism has taken various forms in the Middle East, Islamic nationalism, an appeal to the unity of all Muslims, pan-Arabism, the common concerns of Arabs and country or national collectiveness. Appeals to all three types of nationalism developed in the 19th century. After the Ottoman Empire captured Cairo in 1517, it succeeded to the claims of the former Arab Caliphate to speak for all Muslims. It was, therefore, natural that 19th century Ottoman government reformers would appeal to all subjects of the Empire to support it. In the 1860s, the Young Ottomans "called for the revitalization of the empire through the incorporation of selected European models . . . and insisted on the retention of the Islamic foundations of state and society" (Cleveland 82). Other 19th century reformers, such as Jamal al-Din-al-Afghani (1839-1897) and Mohammad Abduh (1849-1905), were more interested in preserving Islamic solidarity than adopting Western ways. The recent Islamic Revival which has spread throughout the Muslim world stresses pan-islamic traditions and solidarity.

Arab nationalism was the creation of 19th century thinkers such as the Syrian reformer Abd al

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power but some of them have lost much of their appeal, such as the dictatorships in Syria and Iraq. Exploitation of Oil Large reserves of oil began to be discovered in the Middle East toward the end of the 19th century in Iran and later in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere along the Gulf coast. The major producing companies were controlled by British or other Western firms with the blessings and often active intervention of their governments. The British Navy switched from coal power to oil in 1912. Oil played a vital part in allied victories in both world wars. The economies of the West became even more dependent on Middle Eastern oil in the post World War II era. Of the major oil producers, only Saudi Arabia was able to maintain its independence consistently (after 1932). Iran was subject to repeated interference from the British and the Russians. In 1951-1952 nationalist politician Mohammad Mosaddiq seized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, but lacked sufficient revenues to withstand Anglo-American pressures which ultimately resulted in his ouster in a CIA-orchestrated coup and the restoration of the Shah to power in 1953. The British retained strong influence in Kuwait and the Gulf emirates until the 70s. Rising oil prices
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Middle East, Middle East's, Cleveland Egypt, Arab Caliphate, Front Algeria, Syria Iraq, Iraq Baath, Revolutions Mid-Century, Exporting Countries, Islamic Revival, 19th century, middle east, saudi arabia, syria iraq, modern middle, revolutions mid-century, modern middle east, arms purchases, islamic populism, emergence spread nationalisms, philip khoury, khoury mary, saudi arabia iraq, khoury mary wilson, berkeley california 1993,
Approximate Word count = 1422
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)