Question

Why did Western countries hope to influence governments in the Middle East during the early 20th century?

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) to ensure that Middle Eastern leaders would continue supplying them with oil.

Western countries hoped to influence governments in the Middle East during the early 20th century to ensure that Middle Eastern leaders would continue supplying them with oil.

Oil is abundant in the Middle East. For some countries, is the only thing that they produce and can export to generate an income. Oil has also been the reason for many conflicts in the region. Let's just remember the War of the Persin Gulf, when Irak invaded Kuwait and the United States troops had to intervene. So for oil reasons, many Western countries hoped to influence governments in the Middle East during the early 20th century to ensure that Middle Eastern leaders would continue supplying them with oil. The economic interests in the region are one of the most important foreign issues for Western countries such as the U.S.