Question

Did Britain and France seem to view the Arab lands as colonies that they would possess—or as something else? What details support your answer?

Answer 1

I would say more so that they viewed the Arab lands as territories that they would guide and influence to be part of their imperial system. 

Imperialism differs from colonialism.  In a colonial system, the home country transplants many of its own society members to the colony to control it and to provide resources back to the home country.  In an imperial system, the imperial country seeks to build a network of influence and commercial enterprises so that it can grow its wealth and advantage through its expanding empire.

Let's look at the British Mandate in Palestine as an example.  The British did seek to work with local Arab and Jewish populations to set up operational governments there.  But a British bias toward the Jewish population in the region was evident -- as that population mainly were emigrants from Europe and the European administrators of the Mandate understood their culture better.  The Jews who settled in Palestine also were motivated to build up the land for agriculture and commerce, which was enriching the region beyond the ways that had been present under the previous Arab way of life.  Britain was also interested in the region for its strategic location for trade and influence throughout the Middle East and beyond.