In 1916, the Sykes-Picot Agreement between France and England divided Middle Eastern countries by imposing a series of new borders that divided ethnic groupings that had existed, which led to a higher incidence of civil wars and instability. Critique the Sykes-Picot Agreement by selecting the type of factor that most contributed to international instability. (1 point)
• economic factors
• informational factors
• military factors
• diplomatic factors
Based on the given information, the factor that most contributed to international instability as a result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement is diplomatic factors.
The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a diplomatic agreement between France and England, which imposed new borders in the Middle East without considering the existing ethnic groupings. This disregard for the ethnic and cultural diversity of the region through diplomatic negotiations led to a higher incidence of civil wars and instability.
By dividing the Middle Eastern countries based on foreign interests and ignoring the local realities, the Sykes-Picot Agreement undermined the social fabric and political stability of the region. The imposition of these artificial borders disrupted existing social structures and created divisions among ethnic groups, resulting in ongoing conflicts.
The agreement also reflected a diplomatic failure in terms of recognizing and respecting the self-determination of the Middle Eastern people. By disregarding the aspirations and desires of the local populations, the agreement ignored the principles of sovereignty and autonomy, which are essential for a stable and peaceful international order.
Therefore, the diplomatic factors, such as the lack of consideration for local realities and the failure to respect self-determination, played a significant role in contributing to international instability resulting from the Sykes-Picot Agreement.