Anglo-French Declaration facts for kids

The Anglo-French Declaration was an important statement made by Great Britain and France in November 1918. This happened right after World War I ended for the Ottoman Empire, which was a large empire that controlled many parts of the Middle East.

The declaration was published to explain why these two powerful countries were involved in the lands that used to be part of the Ottoman Empire. Great Britain and France said their main goal was to help the people in these areas become completely free. They wanted these people to set up their own democratic governments in places like Ottoman Syria, Ottoman Palestine, and Ottoman Iraq (which was also called Mesopotamia).

The declaration clearly stated that the people living in these areas should choose their own governments. Great Britain and France promised not to force any specific type of government on them. This was meant to reassure Arab leaders and people that the European powers were not trying to take over these lands as colonies. They wanted to show they were helping, not trying to control.

What Was the Anglo-French Declaration?

The Anglo-French Declaration was a public promise made by Great Britain and France on November 7 or 9, 1918. It was released shortly after the Armistice of Mudros, which marked the end of the Ottoman Empire's involvement in World War I.

Why Was This Declaration Made?

The main reason for the declaration was to explain the intentions of Great Britain and France in the Middle East. They stated that their goal was to free the people who had been under Ottoman rule for a long time. They wanted these people to create their own national governments. These new governments would get their power from the free choice of the local populations.

The declaration promised that Great Britain and France would help set up these local governments in areas like Syria and Mesopotamia. They also said they would recognize these governments as soon as they were formed. The two countries emphasized that they did not want to force any specific system on these regions. Instead, they aimed to support the smooth running of governments chosen by the people themselves. They also promised to ensure fair justice, help with economic growth, and encourage education.

What Happened Next?

After the declaration, many of the territories that were once part of the Ottoman Empire did gain their freedom. However, this often happened after a period where they were managed by other countries under a system called a League of Nations mandate. For example, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan were managed this way for a while.

Not all groups of people got the governments they freely chose, as the declaration had promised. For instance, the Kurds, a large ethnic group, found themselves divided among new states like Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Some also remained under Persian rule. The Palestinians faced a complex situation. Many became refugees and were spread across different countries in the region.

See Also

• Arab Revolt
• Arab Federation
• Hussein-McMahon Correspondence
• Sykes-Picot Agreement
• Balfour Declaration
• St. John Philby
• Entente Cordiale
• Self-determination
• French Mandate of Lebanon

Images for kids

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  British troops entering Baghdad.