" Britain in the Middle East provides a comprehensive survey of British involvement in the Middle East, exploring their mutual construction and influence across the entire historical sweep of their relationship. In the 17th century, Britain was establishing trade links in the Middle East, using its position in India to increasingly exclude other European powers. Over the coming centuries this commercial influence developed into political power and finally formal empire, as the British sought to control their regional hegemony through military force. Robert Harrison charts this relationship, exploring how the Middle East served as the launchpad for British offensive action in the world wars, and how resentment against colonial rule in the region led ultimately to political and Islamic revolutions and Britain's demise as a global, imperial power. "-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-266) and index.

The Search for Trade, 1555-1763 -- British victory, power, and dominance to 1797 -- The Napoleonic Wars and regional security, 1798-1815 -- Control in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Egypt 1815-41 -- The 'Great Game' and Afghanistan, 1838-42 -- The Crimean War and its impact 1838-58 -- The question of Egypt, 1838-79 -- The turning point: invasion of Egypt 1879-82 -- Aftermath and the imperial scramble 1883-1914 -- The Middle East in the great War 1914-18 -- War's aftershock: The watershed, 1918-22 -- Tenacity Enshrined: holding on 1922-40 -- The Middle East in the Second World War 1939-45 -- End of the Road: Exit from Empire 1945-71.

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