Figure 1.--This 1943 press photo shows King Feisal II inspecting a British tank in Baghdad. The caption read, "His Majesty, the Captain Gets a Lift--Garbed in British uniform with the three stars of an Iraq catain on his shoulders, young King Feisal II of Iraq is shown being aided by British ogfgicers as he clambers up the side of a tank during an exhibition in the desert near Baghdad. Later the little king rode in a jeep." The photograph is dated April 16, 1943.

The British after World War I helped set up Emir Feisal as king of Iraq. He was the leader of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the War. He was a member of the Sunni Hashimite family from Mecca. He was the first king of the new state of Iraq. This was the first independent state in what is now Iraq since the Islamic Caliphate. Feisal manage to obtained the Iraqi throne in part because of his close association T. E. Lawrence, the famed British officer who helped organize the Arab Revolt. The British drive the Ottomans out of Iraq at the end of the War and were granted a mandate by the League of Nations. The Iraqi monarchy was legitimized by a plebiscite (1921). The British Mandate ended (1932). The Iraqi Army moved toward the NAZIs during World War II and the British reoccupied the country (1941). It was the major source of oil for the British Royal Navy and 8th Army in the Werstern Desert Feisal I proved to be a moderate, moderizing ruler. His gandson son, Feisal II, was overthrown and brutally murdered in a military coup (1958). This was the first step in Saddam Husein's rise to power.

Modern Iraqi History

The Ottoman Empire sides with Germany and the Central Powers in Wotld War I. Their primary focus was on Russia to the North. The War, however, brought them into conflict with the British and resulted in the loss of their Arab provinces, including Iraq. Modern Iraq was created when the British at the end of the World War seized what is now Iraq from the collapsing Ottomon Empire. The British mandate for Iraq was established at the 1919 Paris Peace Talks. An Arab insurection in 1920 convinced the British to permit the establishment of a monarchy under Emir Feisal (1921). He was the leader of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the War. He was a member of the Sunni Hashimite family from Mecca. This was the first Iraqi state in what is now Iraq since the Islamic Caliphate. Feisal managed to obtained the Iraqi throne in part because of his close association T. E. Lawrence, the famed British officer who helped organized the Arab Revolt. The Britis were granted a mandate by the League of Nations. The Iraqi monarchy was legitimized by a plebiscite (1921). The British retained control for several years as a Protectorate (1920-32). Iraq was admitted to the League of Nations as an independent country (1932). When Iraqi leaders began to show signs of siding with the NAZIs during World War II, the British seized the country (1941). Iraq was the major source of oil for the British Royal Navy and 8th Army in the Western Desert. A pipelin ran from Iraq to Haifa in British-controled Palestine. Feisal's grandson Fisal II proved to be a moderate, moderizing ruler. The Hashimite monarchy was overthrown in 1958 in a bloody military coup. The country became a republic which persued an alliance with the Soviet Union. The Bath Party seized power in 1968. Saddam was important in the securrity service of the Bath Party. By 1979 he became the Bath Party Chairman and had achieved total control. One year later he ordered the invasion of Iran.

Individual Hashimite Monarchs

There were three Hashimite monarchs that ruled Iraq in the 20th century. It was Emir Feisal's relation with the Arab Revolt and T.E. Lawrence tht led to the foundation of the Hashimite Monarchy.

Feisal I (1921-33)

Emir Feisal led the Arab revolt against the Ottoman sultān during World War I, working closely with T.E. Lawrence. He was a member of the Sunni Hashimite family from Mecca. He became the first king of the new state of Iraq. Hisn choice was strongly influenced by his close association with Lawrence. His choice as king was legitimized by a plebiscite (1921). Most of Feisal's rule was during the British mandate. The support for his rule within the country came primarily from the traditional Sunni leadership. Feisal grew up in the very conservative envirment of Mecca. He thus had not problem dealing with the traditiinal, rural Sunni sheiks in Iraq with which the British worked. The Sunni's were, however, a minority group which meant that the monarchy from the beginning was tenuous. The discovery of oil (1927), however, provided funds that could be used to solve many problems. Iraq under Feisal became independent when the British League Mandate officially ended (1932).

Ghazi I (1933-39)

King Feisal I was succeeded by his son Ghazi (1933). He claimed Iraqi sovereignty over neighboring Iraq, calling it Iraq's 16th province. This was a move popular with Iraqi nationalists. King Ghazi was still a young man when he became king, but his reign lasted only 5 1/2 years. He loved fast cars and enjoyed racing them. He drove his car into a lamppost and was killed (1939). His young son Feisal succceeded him.

King Feisal II (1939-58)

Feisal was born (1935). He was the only son of King Ghazi I and Queen `Aliyah. He was only 4 years old when his father was killed racing his car. His uncle 'Abd al-Ilah served as regent (1939–53). Abd al-Ilah has a string pro-Western orientation. He stepped down as regent with his nephew came of age (1953). Even so the new king greatly respected his uncle's advise. Inspired by Nasser, the Free Officers movement, staged a coup (1958). King Feisall and `his uncle, Abd al-Ilāh, were executed in the gardens of ar-Rihāb Palace. Their bodies and those of many others of the royal family were displayed in public. Prime Minister Nuri as-Said avoided capture the day of the coup. The next day he attempted to escape Baghdad disguised as a veiled woman, but was aprehended and shot.

Created: 2:12 AM 8/18/2008
Last updated: 2:12 AM 8/18/2008