The last quarter of the nineteenth century was crucial for the development of Kurdish nationalism. It coincided with the reign of Abdulhamid II (1876-1909), who emphasized Pan-Islamic policies in order to strengthen the Ottoman Empire against European and Russian imperialism, The Pan-Islamic doctrines of the Ottoman Empire enabled sheikhs (religious leaders) from Sheikh Ubaydallah of Nehri in the 1870s and 1880s to Sheikh Said in the 1920s-to become the principal nationalist leaders of the Kurds. This represented a new development in Middle Eastern and Islamic history and began an important historical pattern in the Middle East long before the emergence of the religiousnationalist leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran.

This is the first work in any Western language dealing with the development of Kurdish nationalism during this period and is supported with documentation not previously utilized, principally from the Public Record Office in Great Britain. In addition, the author provides much new material on Turkish, Armenian, Iranian, and Arab history and new insights into Turkish-Armenian relations during the most crucial era of the history of these two peoples.

The first work in any Western language dealing with the development of Kurdish nationalism during this period.

About the Author
Robert Olson is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Kentucky.

Reviews
"Having done considerable research into the background, nature, and results of the Sheik Said rebellion myself, I can assure you that Professor Olson's conclusions are new, grounded in the evidence, and very important!" William F. Tucker, University of Arkansas "Olson offers a chronological account of the first large-scale nationalist rebellion by Kurds in the part of Kurdistan that was and is under the control of Turkey ... The Kurdish rebellion, a prototype of post-World War I nationalist rebellions, was 'a genuine national response to fundamental dislocations in the political and socioeconomic spheres'. The Emergence of Kurdish Nationalism is detailed, heavily documented, and well researched and written ... He does insightfully discuss such general topics as nation and state building, the formation of nationalism and other ideologies, and the relationship between religion and nationalism ... This book is especially recommended for people who are interested in the international dimensions of twentieth- century politics in the Middle East, particularly as they involve ethnic and nationalist developments. Readers will be able to draw parallels with other groups, such as the Palestinians and the Baluch, many of whose members also hold strong nationalist aspirations and goals." Ethnohistory



Book Information
ISBN 9780292720855
Author Robert Olson
Format Paperback
Page Count 262
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Weight(grams) 454g