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Explain two of the following: - The importance of conflicting interests of Jews and Arabs for the end of the British Mandate - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 5
Question 3
Explain two of the following: - The importance of conflicting interests of Jews and Arabs for the end of the British Mandate. - The importance of the oil crisis (1... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two of the following: - The importance of conflicting interests of Jews and Arabs for the end of the British Mandate - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 5
Step 1
The importance of conflicting interests of Jews and Arabs for the end of the British Mandate.
Answer
The conflicting interests between Jews and Arabs played a critical role in the end of the British Mandate.
First, the Holocaust significantly influenced Jewish aspirations for a homeland. As Jewish refugees sought safety, they pressed for an establishment of the Jewish state, which intensified tensions with the Arab population.
Moreover, the Zionist conference in 1945 emphasized the need for Jewish immigration, resulting in increased resistance from Arab communities opposed to such policies. This opposition eventually escalated into violence, pressuring Britain to reconsider its mandate.
Additionally, the inability to form a shared political solution between these groups made it increasingly difficult for the British to maintain their authority in the region, leading them to withdraw and hand the situation over to the United Nations.
Step 2
The importance of the oil crisis (1973–74) for diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East.
Answer
The oil crisis of 1973–74 had a profound impact on diplomatic negotiations in the Middle East.
During this period, OPEC nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iraq, utilized oil as a political weapon, leading to heightened fears of shortages in the West. This fear compelled countries, including the United States, to pressure Israel to reach a ceasefire and curtail its military operations during the Yom Kippur War.
Furthermore, the crisis demonstrated the significant leverage that Arab nations had over Western economies, pushing the U.S. to alter its foreign policy in the region to address Arab concerns. These dynamics foregrounded Middle Eastern geopolitics and underscored the importance of ensuring stability in oil supplies through diplomatic channels and negotiations.