Jihad: The Ottomans and the Allies 1914-1922

The failed political coup in Turkey and the ISIS-inspired massacres in Europe have raised the spectre of an ideological struggle that is more than a century old. The Ottoman Empire declared a Holy War against the Allied Powers in 1914, leading to the demise of an ancient regime and the emergence of a modern, secular republic. This first jihad in the Arab world since the Crusades continued long after the Armistice of 1918, causing outrage throughout the Muslim world and threatening British paramountcy in India. Kemal Ataturk's resistance and Lloyd George's support for Britain's ally resulted in the end of Greek dreams and the political extinction of Lloyd George. It is a warning from history of ethnic cleansing, pogroms, regime change, and political hubris.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The tragic news of the ISIS-inspired massacres in Europe and countless other locations throughout the Middle East, in conjunction with the failed political coup against Erdogan in Turkey, have raised the spectre of an ideological struggle that is more than a century old. As the West struggles with the consequences and implications of its 'War on Terror, parallels with this earlier jihad become manifest. The sprawling Ottoman Empire was at the point of dissolution by November 1914 when it declared a Holy War against the Allied Powers and threw in its lot with Germany. It was a disastrous decision that set in chain a series of cataclysmic events, which culminated in the demise of an ancient regime and the emergence of a modern, secular republic. The first jihad in the Arab world since the Crusades was to continue long after the Armistice of 1918, as the defeated empire faced a triumphalist Greece, supported by Britain, seeking to re-establish hegemony over Anatolia. This caused outrage throughout the Muslim world, threatened British paramountcy in India, and fractured diplomatic relations with close allies and the unity of her empire. Confronted with the indefatigable resistance of one man, Kemal Ataturk, Greek dreams ended in ashes, whilst the stubborn support of Lloyd George for Britain's ally resulted in his own political extinction. It is a warning from history, including as it does ethnic cleansing, pogroms, regime change and political hubris. It is a story of steely determination and dogged bravery in the face of brazen territorial expansionism. It is also the history of the first modern jihad.

The Ottoman Empire's decision to declare a Holy War against the Allied Powers in November 1914 marked a pivotal moment in world history. This decision set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the empire and the emergence of a modern, secular republic in Turkey. The first jihad in the Arab world since the Crusades, this war continued long after the Armistice of 1918, as the defeated empire faced a triumphalist Greece, supported by Britain, seeking to re-establish hegemony over Anatolia. This caused outrage throughout the Muslim world, threatened British paramountcy in India, and fractured diplomatic relations with close allies and the unity of the empire.

Confronted with the indefatigable resistance of one man, Kemal Ataturk, Greek dreams ended in ashes, whilst the stubborn support of Lloyd George for Britain's ally resulted in his own political extinction. This warning from history, including as it does ethnic cleansing, pogroms, regime change and political hubris, serves as a reminder of the dangers of ideological struggle and the consequences of political extremism. It is also a story of steely determination and dogged bravery in the face of brazen territorial expansionism.

The first modern jihad, the Ottoman Empire's Holy War against the Allied Powers, was a defining moment in world history that had far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. Its legacy continues to be felt today, and it serves as a warning to all of us of the dangers of political extremism and the importance of promoting peace and understanding in the world.

Weight: 248g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398103320