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Near & Middle East Titles:
Records of Jordan 1919–1965
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ISBN: (13) 978-1-85207-645-0
Extent: 14 volumes, 10,000 pages



Editor: J. Priestland
Author:N/A
ISBN: (10) 1-85207-645-3
Published: 1996
Paper: Printed on acid free paper
Binding: Library bindings with gilt finish. The front cover carries the Jordanian crest.
See sample pages: not available



Resumé
Archive Editions presents the definitive document collection on the creation and development of today´s Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. Here are 14 volumes comprising some 10000 pages of detailed records on Jordanian relations with neighbour states providing invaluable background for the Middle East peace process.

Records of Jordan 1919-1965 provides documentary evidence of key events and issues in the first 45 years of Jordanian history including: the creation of Transjordan; the formation of boundaries with Syria and Iraq; boundaries with Hijaz and Nejd and relations with Ibn Saud; the reigns of Abdullah and Talal, and later the reign of King Hussein; post-war relations with Arab states, US and Britain; the relationship between King Hussein and President Nasser; the status of Jerusalem; Jordan Valley water problems; concerns with the Baghdad Pact, the Arab League and the United Nations; the role of King Hussein in the Arab-Israel conflict; issues concerning the creation of the PLO; regular detailed information on King Hussein´s administration and personal survival.
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Historical Overview
Extract From the Editor´s Preface
 
The documents relating to the British Mandate from 1920 deal with the problems of establishing the boundaries of Transjordan and particularly the tensions between Ibn Saud and King Abdullah over Ibn Saud´s claims to Aqaba and Ma´an. In 1946, Transjordan achieved independence, although it was still financially dependent on Britain, a dependence which was formalised by the military annex in the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty.
 
Abdullah´s moderate position towards Israel, however, was challenged within Jordan and by neighbouring Arab states. The formal union between Eastern and Western Jordan of 1950 increased the influence of West Bank opinion on Jordanian politics and led to a deterioration in relations between Jordan and Israel. In 1951 Abdullah was assassinated and his successor Talal abdicated due to mental illness. This political instability was exacerbated by the influx of refugees from Palestine.
 
In 1953 Hussein was crowned king and presided over an increasingly pro-Egyptian and pro-soviet political orientation. Jordan refused to join the American-sponsored Baghdad Pact and signed a military agreement with Egypt and Syria. By February 1958 Jordanian policy had changed and had become more sympathetic to the West. Jordan and the pro-Western Kingdom of Iraq announced their unification, but the union was short-lived. Revolution in Baghdad on 14 July 1958 and the assassination of the Iraqi Royal family led to the dissolution of the union and the greater reliance of Jordan on the United States, Britain and Israel for her defence. In 1961 Jordanian-Egyptian relations deteriorated due to King Hussein´s haste in recognising the new regime in Syria after the coup d´etat which resulted in her withdrawal from the UAR.
The papers of 1965 document the increasing rift between Hussein and the PLO, and the danger which the organisation presented to Jordan´s fragile stability. They also show Jordan´s increasing dependence on the United States for financial support and efforts to achieve a stable relationship with the UAR and Saudi Arabia during the Yemeni conflict.
 
While an attempt has been made to ensure that this collection presents as comprehensive a picture as possible, in the earlier period this is more difficult to achieve as many records have not survived and many files on sensitive issues are still closed to the public.
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Documentary Importance
This collection includes a selection of Foreign Office and Colonial Office records tracing the history of the state of Jordan from its establishment as the British Mandate of Transjordan at the San Remo Conference of 1920 to the year 1965, after which British Government files remained closed at the time of going to press. A small amount of Cabinet Office Papers are also included. The documents illustrate the sensitive political and strategic position of Jordan and its rulers´ attempts to maintain stability and independence in the face of superpower rivalry and political turbulence, both domestic and regional.
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Contents Outline
Highlights from the Volumes
 
Volume 1: 1919-1922
Volume 2: 1923-1926
Volume 3: 1927-1932
Volume 4: 1932-1939
Volume 5: 1939-1947
Volume 6: 1948-1950
Volume 7: 1950-1953
Volume 8: 1953-1955
 
Volume 9: 1955-1956
Volume 10: 1956-1958 
Volume 11: 1958-1960 
Volume 12: 1960-1962
Volume 13: 1962-1963
Volume 14: 1963-1965

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Related Titles:
Arab Dissident Movements 1905–1955
Arabian Boundaries 1853–1960
Arabian Boundaries 1961–1965
Arabian Boundary Disputes
Arabian Treaties 1600–1960
Islam: Political Impact 1908–1972 (British Documentary Sources)
Islamic Movements in the Arab World 1913–1966
Israel: Boundary Disputes with Arab Neighbours 1946–1964
Political Diaries of the Arab World: Palestine and Jordan 1920–1965
Records of Iraq 1914–1966
Records of Jerusalem 1917–1971
Records of Saudi Arabia 1902–1960
Records of the Hashimite Dynasties
Ruling Families of Arabia: Documentary Records of the Dynasties of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Oman


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