Mandatory Iraq facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kingdom of Iraq under British administration الانتداب البريطاني على العراق (Arabic)
1921–1932
Flag (1924–1932) Coat of arms (1931–1932)
Anthem: (1924–1932) السلام الملكي As-Salam al-Malaki "The Royal Salute"
Status	League of Nations mandate
Capital and largest city	Baghdad
Common languages	Arabic · Kurdish Neo-Aramaic English
Religion	Islam · Christianity Judaism · Yazidism Mandaeism
Demonym(s)	Iraqi
High Commissioner
• 1921–1923 (first)	Percy Cox
• 1929–1932 (last)	Francis Humphrys
King
• 1921–1932	Faisal I
Prime Minister
• 1920–1922 (first)	Abd Al-Rahman Al-Gillani
• 1930–1932 (last)	Nuri al-Said
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper Chamber	Senate
• Lower Chamber	Chamber of Deputies
Historical era	Interwar period
• San Remo conference	25 April 1920
• Treaty of Sèvres	23 August 1921
• Coronation of Faisal I	23 August 1921
• Treaty of Lausanne	24 July 1923
• Treaty of Ankara	5 June 1926
• Anglo-Iraqi Treaty	30 June 1930
• Independence	3 October 1932
Currency	Indian rupee
Preceded by Succeeded by Baghdad Vilayet Basra Vilayet Mosul Vilayet Al-Muntafiq Kingdom of Iraq
Today part of	Iraq Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Iraq under British Administration, also known as Mandatory Iraq, was a period when Iraq was under British control after World War I. It was created in 1921 following a revolt against the idea of a British "mandate" over the region. A mandate meant that the League of Nations (an early version of the United Nations) asked a country to help govern another territory until it was ready to rule itself. The British officially took on this role through the 1922 Anglo-Iraqi Treaty.

Faisal ibn Husayn was chosen by the British to be the first King of Iraq in 1921. He had previously been declared King of Syria but was removed by the French. Even though Iraq had a king, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) kept some military control. Iraq remained largely under British administration until it gained full independence in 1932.

The first British leader in Iraq was called the High Commissioner, Sir Percy Cox. He and his deputy, Colonel Arnold Wilson, faced many challenges. There was growing anger among Iraqi nationalists who did not want British rule.

History of British Rule in Iraq

Early Unrest and Revolts

After World War I, several secret groups formed in Iraq to oppose British control. These groups wanted Iraq to be independent. For example, the League of the Islamic Awakening started in Najaf. The Muslim National League aimed to get people ready for resistance. In Baghdad, a group called the Guardians of Independence formed in 1919. This group included different people like merchants, teachers, and religious leaders.

A respected religious leader named Imam Shirazi encouraged people to resist. He said it was against Islamic law for Muslims to be ruled by non-Muslims and called for a holy struggle (a jihad). By July 1920, people in Mosul were rebelling. The revolt spread south along the Euphrates River. Tribes in the south, who liked their freedom, quickly joined. However, they did not work together in an organized way, which limited the revolt's success. The British had to bring in more soldiers from India to restore order.

The Iraqi revolt of 1920 was a very important event for Iraq. For the first time, different groups like Sunnis and Shias, and people from tribes and cities, worked together. This was a big step towards creating a single Iraqi nation. The British also used the Assyrian Levies, a local military force, to help control unrest.

After the 1920 revolt, the British reorganized their air force in Iraq into the RAF Iraq Command. This group's main job was to put down any threats to the new Iraqi monarchy. The British government thought using air power was cheaper than having many soldiers on the ground. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the RAF helped stop many protests and revolts against the king. For example, when the Kurdish leader Sheikh Mahmud rebelled, the British used the RAF to stop it. They also used the RAF to suppress revolts by the Shia in the south.

Choosing a King for Iraq

In March 1921, the British held a meeting called the Cairo Conference. Here, they decided how Iraq would be governed. They chose Faisal ibn Husayn to be Iraq's first King. Faisal was from the Hashemite family, which was respected because they were descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. The British believed Faisal would be accepted by Iraqis because of his role in the 1916 Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks.

To make Faisal king, a special vote (called a plebiscite) was arranged. It showed 96 percent of people supported him. The British wanted a leader who was popular but also relied on their support.

The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty

At the Cairo Conference, another big decision was made about the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1922. This treaty defined the relationship between Britain and Iraq. Iraqi nationalists and religious leaders wanted to limit British influence and the treaty's length. King Faisal, however, knew he needed British support.

The treaty was first planned for 20 years but was later shortened to four years. It was approved in June 1924. The treaty said that the king would listen to British advice on matters affecting British interests and on money matters. British officials would also be placed in 18 government departments as advisers. Iraq also had to pay for half the cost of supporting these British officials. In return, Britain promised to help Iraq, especially with military support, and to help Iraq join the League of Nations. This treaty meant that Iraq would still depend on Britain politically and economically.

The British also decided to create an Iraqi army. Most of the officers in this new army were Sunnis who had served under the Ottomans. The lower ranks were mostly Shia tribal members. This helped keep Sunni control in the military.

Later Years of the Mandate

The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930 was signed later. It created a "close alliance" between Britain and Iraq. Both countries agreed to talk about foreign policy and help each other in case of war. Iraq allowed Britain to use air bases near Basra and at Habbaniyah. Britain could also move troops across Iraq. This treaty was for 25 years and would start when Iraq joined the League of Nations.

After the 1930 treaty, Iraqi politics changed. Powerful Sunni and Shia landowners, wealthy city families, and army officers competed for power. Iraq's new political system was created by a foreign power, and democracy was new to Iraq. So, politicians in Baghdad often lacked strong support from the people. Instead, politics was more about shifting alliances between important individuals.

The British administration continued until 1932. In 1936 and 1937, there were more protests and revolts against the Iraqi government. These were often about farming issues and forcing people to join the army. The Iraqi government, with help from the RAF Iraq Command, put down these revolts. During this time, some Shia religious leaders were expelled from Iraq.

Some historians, like Kanan Makiya, see the British mandate as bringing "modernization" to Iraq, even if it was for British self-interest. Other historians, like Elie Kedourie, believe the British rule did not bring good government to Iraq.

Independence

On October 3, 1932, the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq became a fully independent country. It was ruled by the Hashemite family until 1958.

Economy

Oil Concessions

Before the Ottoman Empire fell, a British-controlled company called the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPC) had rights to oil in the Mosul area. In 1916, a secret agreement between Britain and France, called the Sykes-Picot Agreement, had suggested this area would be under French influence. However, in 1919, France gave up its claims to Mosul. In return, France received a 25 percent share in the TPC.

Starting in 1923, Britain and Iraq had difficult talks about a new oil agreement. Iraq wanted to own 20 percent of the company, but the British did not agree. Iraqis were strongly against the agreement, but they eventually gave in. They feared that without British support, Iraq might lose Mosul to Turkey. In March 1925, an agreement was made that did not include any of Iraq's demands. The TPC, now called the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC), was given full control of oil for 75 years.

British High Commissioners

• 1920–1923: Major-General Sir Percy Cox
• 1923–1928: Sir Henry Dobbs
• 1928–1929: Brigadier-General Sir Gilbert Clayton
• 1929–1932: Lt. Colonel Sir Francis Humphrys

See also

• Guardians of Independence
• Mesopotamian campaign
• Ottoman Iraq
• RAF Iraq Command

Images for kids

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  Mandatory Iraq, 1921.