Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book suggests that while the First World War produced critical changes in the region – most memorably in its territorial divisions – it cannot be considered the sole cause of more recent wars, revolutions, and autocratic regimes. It examines the transition of Jerusalem’s religious communities from Ottoman imperial rule to that of the British, highlighting the complex ways in which individuals and groups negotiated their status and power. The book seeks to make a significant contribution to the literature on the war, its conduct, its effects, and aftermath. It addresses the broader imperial issues through the lens of strategy-making among a number of states that fought against or alongside the Ottoman Empire. The chapter also examines the pressure the Entente placed on Greece and its willingness, especially in the case of France, to intervene with military force to shape Greek decision-making.