Britain's informal empire in the Middle East : a case study of Iraq, 1929-1941

This is a penetrating account of Anglo-Iraqi relations from 1929, when Britain decided to grant independence to Iraq, to 1941, when hostilities between the two nations came to an end. Showing how Britain tried—and failed—to maintain its political influence, economic ascendancy, and strategic position in Iraq after independence, Silverfarb presents a suggestive analysis of the possibilities and limitations of indirect rule by imperial powers in the Third World. The book also tells of the rapid disintegration of Britain's dominance in the Middle East after World War I and portrays the struggle of a recently independent Arab nation to free itself from the lingering grip of a major European power. Contents......Page 12 Foreword......Page 6 1. Introduction......Page 16 2. The End of the Mandate......Page 24 3. The British Airbases......Page 36 4. The Assyrian Minority......Page 46 5. The Levies......Page 60 6. Arab Independence and Unity......Page 69 7. The Struggle for Kuwait......Page 78 8. The Supply of Arms......Page 87 9. The Supply of Credit......Page 100 10. The Problem of Oil......Page 107 11. The Deterioration of Anglo-Iraqi Relations: Phase One—September 1939–October 1940......Page 119 12. The Deterioration of Anglo-Iraqi Relations: Phase Two—November 1940–May 1941......Page 131 13. The Hostilities of May 1941......Page 144 14. Conclusion......Page 155 Notes......Page 160 Bibliography......Page 198 A......Page 206 D......Page 207 H......Page 208 K......Page 209 O......Page 210 S......Page 211 W......Page 212 Z......Page 213 ISBN-13: 9780195039979 Contents 12 Foreword 6 1. Introduction 16 2. The End of the Mandate 24 3. The British Airbases 36 4. The Assyrian Minority 46 5. The Levies 60 6. Arab Independence and Unity 69 7. The Struggle for Kuwait 78 8. The Supply of Arms 87 9. The Supply of Credit 100 10. The Problem of Oil 107 11. The Deterioration of Anglo-Iraqi Relations: Phase One—September 1939–October 1940 119 12. The Deterioration of Anglo-Iraqi Relations: Phase Two—November 1940–May 1941 131 13. The Hostilities of May 1941 144 14. Conclusion 155 Notes 160 Bibliography 198 Index 206 A 206 B 207 C 207 D 207 E 208 F 208 G 208 H 208 I 209 J 209 K 209 L 210 M 210 N 210 O 210 P 211 Q 211 R 211 S 211 T 212 U 212 V 212 W 212 Y 213 Z 213 Showing how Britain tried, and failed, to maintain its political influence, economic ascendancy, and strategic position in Iraq after independence, the author presents an analysis of the possibilities and limitations of indirect rule by imperial powers in the Third World.