Jonathan Wyrtzen’s “Worldmaking in the Long Great War” reevaluates World War I’s impact on the Middle East, arguing it offered a range of possibilities rather than depicting the region as passive. His analysis covers significant events from 1911 to 1934, illustrating struggles against colonial powers while addressing misconceptions about indigenous victories. This work situates the Middle East at the war’s core, emphasizing local agency in shaping modern political dynamics.
The impact of World War I on the Middle East has often been overlooked, despite its significant implications that continue to resonate today. Jonathan Wyrtzen’s “Worldmaking in the Long Great War: How Local and Colonial Struggles Shaped the Modern Middle East” endeavors to restore focus on the region’s pivotal role during the war. The book challenges the romanticized narratives surrounding World War I by examining local dynamics, colonial struggles, and events that profoundly influenced the modern Middle East, extending from 1911 to 1934 and covering Morocco to Iran.
Wyrtzen posits that the war presented an unprecedented array of possibilities for the Middle East, countering the traditional view of the region as merely passive in the face of European colonization. He meticulously explores significant events such as the Rif Wars in Morocco, the Kurdish revolts, and the Great Syrian Revolt, illustrating how these conflicts are echoed in contemporary challenges. For instance, Da’esh’s actions along the Syrian-Iraqi border evoke memories of the post-Sykes-Picot landscape, underscoring the lasting impact of the early 20th-century upheavals.
Wyrtzen’s text also attempts to correct misconceptions about the history of indigenous resistance against colonial powers. While Dien Bien Phu (1954) is often cited as the first major defeat of Western forces, the book reveals earlier instances of indigenous success, specifically the Senussi’s victory at Gasr Bu Hadi in 1915 and the Arab victories in the Rif against French and Spanish forces.
The book delves into the religiously motivated struggles that underpinned many anti-colonial movements, including notable examples like the Sheikh Said Rebellion in Anatolia. Wyrtzen notes that the Senussi movement in Libya consolidated Sufi and Sunni practices in their fight against Italian colonialism, while Mussolini sought to establish connections in the region to increase Italy’s influence.
Wyrtzen provides a thorough examination of the effects of French colonialism in Syria, annotating a wealth of information often absent from English-language scholarship. While he retells the well-documented account of Ibn Saud’s consolidation of power in Saudi Arabia, there are missed opportunities for expanding the discussion to incorporate neighboring regions like Somalia and Afghanistan, where significant anti-colonial sentiments brewed following World War I.
Additionally, the book positions the Middle East as central to the broader narrative of World War I, encapsulating discussions from influential works such as Sean McMeekin’s “The Russian Origins of the First World War.” Wyrtzen effectively counters the prevailing romantic representation of the Middle Eastern theater, revealing the complexities and intricacies that defined the region during this turbulent period.
By utilizing lesser-known diplomatic materials and historical documents, Wyrtzen presents scenarios in which history could have diverged significantly. His work emphasizes the critical involvement of local actors in shaping borders and political landscapes, thereby challenging entrenched historical assumptions. As such, “Worldmaking in the Long Great War” is a crucial resource for scholars interested in colonial studies and Middle Eastern history.
World War I has often been portrayed with a focus on European conflicts, relegating the Middle East to a secondary role. However, recent scholarship addresses this oversight, uncovering the region’s significant contributions and developments during the war. Jonathan Wyrtzen’s book is part of this emergent body of literature, providing an analysis that stretches beyond simplified narratives, exploring complex colonial interactions and local narratives in the shaping of the modern Middle East.
In conclusion, Wyrtzen’s “Worldmaking in the Long Great War” is a vital scholarly work that reconceptualizes the role of the Middle East during World War I. It uncovers significant anti-colonial struggles and highlights the agency of local actors in redefining the region’s political borders. By challenging traditional historiography and offering a more nuanced perspective, Wyrtzen contributes to an essential discourse on colonial legacies and their contemporary implications.
Original Source: manaramagazine.org
