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| e. Syria |
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(See 1945, Feb)| |
| 1945, May |
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| Fighting between French and Syrian forces. The French demanded a treaty giving them autonomy within Syria and guaranteeing their economic and military interests. They further announced that they would not withdraw their troops until the Syrians agreed to these terms. Anti-French demonstrations immediately broke out, and Syrian police skirmished with French units. The French backed down and dropped their demands after the diplomatic intercession of Britain. | 1 |
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| 1946 |
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| Death of Shakib Arslan, one of the most prominent Syrian political activists during the Mandate. Permanently at odds with French authorities, he spent most of his political career as an exile in Europe. He was the ultimate representative of the older generation of Syrian politicians who received their education in Ottoman schools and remained nostalgic for the Ottoman Empire. Apart from his anti-French activities, he was best known as an ardent spokesman for the pan-Islamic political movement. | 2 |
| Official formation of the BA`TH PARTY, whose program espoused Arab unity and socialism. The leading figures in the early years were Michel Aflaq and Salah al-Din al-Bitar. By the mid-1950s the party had become a major contender on the political scene. | 3 |
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| Aug |
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| SYRIAN INDEPENDENCE and the withdrawal of all Allied troops. | 4 |
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