The end of European imperialism was brought about by the events leading up to the end of World War II. Having sustained heavy human casualties and a decaying economic infrastructure, the European colonial powers of the western world lacked the force of man-power and the economic resources to maintain hegemonic dominance of their native subjects. The cry from the subjects of European empire for independence and the right to self-determination was heard from all over the world. The tensions building up to the eventual decolonization process thus began in the post World War I arena. The many subjects of empire who fought for their respective European rulers were discontent with the lack of recognition for their efforts and demanded rightful share in the spoils of war.

            The promises that European powers, particularly France and Britain, made to their colonial subjects were either dishonored or favored one group over the other. The desires for individual rights and national freedom sparked a worldwide movement of nationalism that put pressure on European hegemonic powers to permanently loosen their dominant grip on the fate of the masses that had been suppressed and exploited for so long. The timely unsurety of European political, social and economic policy for fear of revolution became a major source of tension and conflict between the established first world and uprising third world. The fate of many peoples would be decided upon by the actions of both camps within the world arena in the years to come.

            The Middle East provides a rich and vibrant source for examining the historical events of decolonization and on countries that arose to rule their own destinies. The Middle East is and always was of great geographic importance to many political, social, and economic interests. During Ottoman rule, it was the center of trade, civilization, and religion as it linked, and still links, the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean through the Red Sea, connecting the Asian African, and European worlds. In today’s world, the Middle East has generated greater competition for resources among the world powers that be. Oil runs the world, and the oil discovered in Iran in 1908, Iraq in 1927, and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 1938 is easily accessible to due its close proximity to the earth’s surface. (Overfield, 341).

            Though decolonization was a process of gradual independence, whether peaceably or violently, the effects of historical events occurring within the 20^th century are still very much a part of today’s political, social, and economic policies of the 21^st century. Power has been gained and lost on both sides of the developed and less-developed world. As volumes upon volumes could be written about the implementation of western policies on the Middle East and the subsequent perceptions/tensions that have arisen from the effects of those decisions, a micro-examination of these events in particular parts of the Middle East is necessary to comprehend the question being examined through the method of finite examination of a particular topic rather than discussing an extensive history.

            In the analysis to follow, the effects of European decolonization and western influence & perception in and of the Middle East will respectively be examined. Different aspects of the Middle Eastern countries of Turkey, Algeria, Syria, Israel/Palestine, United Arab Emirates. The views and differences of Arab and Iranian Feminism as a result of the Islamic Revolution, as well as what has come to be known as Orientalism will also briefly be touched upon. Thoughts of the visit to the National Art Gallery in Washington D.C., as well as the changing of my thought process pertaining to my view of history will also be included.

            The overall aim in analyzing the research question is to take relevant bits and pieces of a much broader and extensive topic and look for an in-depth meaning, rather than spending an immense amount of time discussing the historical story of events which took place. In short, each area elaborated upon is approached as a “read in-between the lines” analysis rather than attempting to retell of an entire elaborate history of the Middle East. Though a definite conclusion may not be feasible to reach, due to the volume and strength of arguments from the various opposing sides, the subjects, topics, and issues being examined will be brought together in a collective attempt to shed light on the question of western influence and the effects it has had on the Middle East.