Examine the reasons for, and the results of, the mandate system in Syria and Lebanon.

Candidates will consider the interrelationship between the reasons for and the results of the mandate system in Syria and Lebanon. Candidates may offer equal coverage of reasons and results or they may prioritize their examination of one of them. However, both reasons and results will feature. Candidates may examine the Sykes–Picot agreement which assigned Syria and Lebanon to France. France acquired the mandates leading to economic and strategic advantages, and this balanced British power in the region. Creating the mandates allowed France to deny self-rule to the Arabs, which was consistent with their colonial policy in Africa. For results, candidates may examine French expansion of Lebanon at the expense of Syria and their favouring of the Maronite Christians in Lebanon. This led to constant unrest and outbreaks of rebellion in Syria and Lebanon, which caused the French to grant limited self-rule in both colonies but not independence. French favouritism of Christians caused sectarian violence in Lebanon. The French did introduce modern administration and legal systems. They built infrastructure in both mandates and improved the education system, but economic development was limited. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.