IRAQ FROM FAYSAL’S ASCENDANCY TO THE THRONE TO THE RATIFICATION OF THE FIRST ANGLO-IRAQI TREATY (1921 – 1924)

Faced with strong nationalist agitation, the British government did not ask the League of Nations for the formal assignment of a mandate, but instead it decided to exercise its control by means of a treaty with Iraq. The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty was concluded in October 1922. Together with four important subsidiary agreements, it confirmed British control of Iraq by giving Britain the right to (1) appoint advisers to the Iraqi government (2) assist the Iraqi army (3) protect foreigners (4) advice Iraq on fiscal matters, and (5) advice Iraq on matters of foreign relations. The treaty also provided for an open-door policy to be implemented by Britain, foresaw British financial assistance to Iraq, and guaranteed the non-alienation of Iraqi territory by Britain. It was to operate for twenty years, but by a protocol signed in 1923 its period was reduced to four years. In its really vital provisions, the treaty did not much differ from the draft mandate that had come up for consideration before the League of Nations in September 1921, but had never been formally adopted. Iraq´s king Faysal I accepted the treaty with pragmatic calculation and weathered the subsequent political outcry, fully intending to continue to press for the independence the country demanded.