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Sykes–Picot Agreement facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Sykes–Picot Agreement, also known as the Asia Minor Agreement, was a secret deal made in 1916. It was an agreement between the United Kingdom and France, and the Russian Empire also approved it. This agreement allowed these European countries to divide parts of the Middle East among themselves. This plan was made for after the Ottoman Empire surrendered in World War I.

What Was the Sykes-Picot Agreement?

The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a secret plan. It decided how the Middle East would be divided up. This happened during World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was losing power. The agreement was named after the British and French diplomats who created it. They were Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot.

Who Made the Deal?

The main countries involved in this secret agreement were the United Kingdom and France. The Russian Empire also agreed to the plan. These countries were known as the Allied Powers during World War I. They were planning for a future where the Ottoman Empire would no longer control large parts of the Middle East.

Secret Plans for the Middle East

The agreement drew lines on a map, dividing the Middle East into different zones.

  • France was set to control areas like Syria and parts of what is now Turkey.
  • The United Kingdom would control areas like Iraq and parts of what is now Jordan.
  • They also planned for a special international zone in Palestine, which included Jerusalem.

This agreement was kept secret for a while. It showed how powerful countries planned to reshape the world after the war.

Images for kids

  • 1918 British Government Map illustrating Territorial Negotiations between H.M.G. and King Hussein

    1918 British government map: Map illustrating Territorial Negotiations between H.M.G. and King Hussein

  • Sykes Picot negotiations 23 November 1915

    Minutes from the first negotiation meeting on November 23, 1915. This shows what each side wanted at the start.

  • Sykes-Picot negotiations, Evidence of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes, Bart., M.P. Meeting held at 10, Downing Street, on Thursday, December 16, 1915, at 11.30am

    On December 17, 1915, Sykes explained his goals for the talks to the British War Committee. He wanted Britain to control Palestine, south of Haifa.

  • Skyes Picot, The Manchester Guardian, Monday, November 26, 1917, p5

    An excerpt from The Manchester Guardian newspaper, November 26, 1917. This was one of the first times the Sykes-Picot Agreement was mentioned in English newspapers.

  • Maunsell's map, Pre-World War I British Ethnographical Map of eastern Turkey in Asia, Syria and western Persia 01

    "Maunsell's map," a British government map from before World War I. It shows the different groups of people in the area covered by the agreement.

  • CUINET(1892) 2.800 Mosul Vilayet

    Mosul Vilayet in 1892

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Acuerdo Sykes-Picot para niños

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