Colonialism in the Middle East came from within for many centuries, as the Ottoman Empire dominated the region until the end of World War I. Great Britain and France imposed mandates over several of the Arab provinces, beginning a trend of Western interference across the region. This resource documents the complex colonial history of the Middle East, the establishment of autonomous countries across the region, and the struggles each country faced in the early postcolonial years. Important events and key figures are documented, illustrating how the region's colonial history continues to affect its modern politics, societies, economies, and international relations.