Response to students posting

Response to Posting Response to Posting Will, I agree with you on the point that Turks benefitted in some way from the political situation in the World War I era. The First World War definitely caused much destruction including the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Army fought in different continents and they were not just doing it for the Sultan but for the sake of protecting and saving their homeland. It is interesting to note that the entire population of the Turks worked together without any discrimination to ensure that they built a new nation from the ruins. They not only got determination from the World War I but they also saw the importance of togetherness. The conflicts that contributed to the war had taught them the negative effects of dividing themselves basing on their differences. This, together with the rise of their leader, Mustafa Ataturk, enabled them work collaboratively hence the Modern Turkey.
Response to Posting 2
Richard,
This good post analyses the selfish nature of the Great Powers. It is good that you have mentioned the issue of the Great Powers and their interest in the Arab nations. I agree with you that there a number of negative implications attached to the same. The example you give on the creation of new states that was done for the interest of Great Britain and France is very relevant. They wanted to ensure they fulfilled their interest in the Middle Eastern oil. This example is good as it brings out the heightened selfish interest of these two powers that only dwelled on what they would get in the postwar Middle East1. They did not bother to consult the Arab inhabitants who ended paying for these political violations.
It is unfortunate that the Great Powers take advantage of under developed countries or unstable countries to fulfill their interest. This is evident in the case of oil, which they depend on so much for their economy. The fact that this oil is available in Middle East, they maintain their relationship with such vulnerable nations to ensure constant flow of oil hence their own economy continues to thrive.
Bibliography
Fromkin, David. ” How the modern Middle East map came to be drawn.” Smithsonian 22, no. 2 (May 1991): 132. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed November 9, 2014).