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| 1937, July |
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| Outbreak of a two-month revolt among the Kurds in northeastern Syria. The leaders of the movement were Kurdish separatists who demanded special legal status and political autonomy for Syrian Kurds. | 1 |
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| 1939, June |
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| FRANCE CEDED THE HATAY (the region surrounding Alexandretta and Antioch) to Turkey, outraging Syrian opinion. Syrians viewed the Hatay and its Arab majority as an integral part of Syria. The Syrian territorial claim has remained a constant source of friction in relations with Turkey. | 2 |
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| 1940, June |
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| Installation of a Vichy administration. | 3 |
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| 1941, June |
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| INVASION OF FREE FRENCH AND BRITISH FORCES, which overthrew the Vichy administration. The French commander, Gen. Catroux, promised a grant of independence. | 4 |
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| 1943, July |
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| Prodded by the British, the Free French regime reluctantly restored the constitution of 1930 and authorized elections. | 5 |
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| 1944 |
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| Founding of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, a branch of the religious organization that originated in Egypt. Most of the leadership was well educated, coming from the professional and religious ranks. The rank and file was centered mostly in the bazaars and among new immigrants to the cities. In its early years, the organization did not become actively involved in politics, preferring to focus on social issues. | 6 |
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| 1945, Feb |
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| Syrian declaration of war against Germany. | 7 |
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| March |
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| Syrian membership in the newly created Arab League. (See Syria) | 8 |
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