61. Syria 101 Part 2/5: Border Carve-Up & the French Mandate (1900–1946)

18/09/2025 27 min
61. Syria 101 Part 2/5: Border Carve-Up & the French Mandate (1900–1946)

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Episode Synopsis

This is Part 2 of 5 of the Syria 101 series: a foundational history of Syria. This episode is a concise, foundational history of Syria from 1900 to 1946, designed for those who know little to nothing about Syria's history, to set the stage for modern Syria. This episode covers:


Why WWI cracked the Ottoman order in Greater Syria

The Arab Revolt & the Hussein–McMahon letters (this includes "Lawrence of Arabia")

The Sykes–Picot Agreement (the secret deal that carved up the region)

What World War I was like in Syria

The French Mandate: How the French ruled Syria and why it upset so many

The road to independence (1920–1946)


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Sources used in the making of this episode.

Transcript for this episode.

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