The Sykes-Picot Agreement, also known as the Asia Minor Agreement, was an agreement between Britain and France, with the approval of Russia, that divided the Ottoman Empire`s territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence. The agreement was named after the British and French diplomats who negotiated it: Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot.
The agreement was signed on May 16, 1916, during World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was still a major power. However, the empire was weakening and was on the verge of collapse. The British and French saw an opportunity to take control of the Middle East, which was strategically important to their interests. The agreement aimed to establish British and French hegemony in the Middle East, and it divided the region into areas of influence for the two countries.
According to the agreement, France was to have control over modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and parts of southeastern Turkey. Meanwhile, Britain was to have control over modern-day Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait, as well as a share in the oil resources of Iran. Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire, was to be placed under international administration.
The Sykes-Picot Agreement was met with mixed reactions. Some Arab leaders saw it as a betrayal of their hopes for independence, while others saw it as an opportunity to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. The agreement also ignored the desires of the Zionists, who were working towards the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.
The Sykes-Picot Agreement played a major role in shaping the modern Middle East. The borders it created continue to define the region, and the legacy of its artificial borders continues to impact the politics of the region. The agreement was also criticized for being colonialist and for disregarding the desires of the people of the region.
In conclusion, the Sykes-Picot Agreement was a landmark agreement that divided the Ottoman Empire`s territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence for Britain and France. The agreement played a major role in shaping the modern Middle East, and its legacy continues to impact the region today.