The effects of World War II affected countries around the world, from Europe to Africa and from the Pacific to the Middle East. Although by the end of World War I European imperialism had essentially ended, the governments of some newly established and quasi-independent countries, such as Iraq, were still under the influence of European nations . In the spring of 1941, due to the growing rise of Arab nationalism, the still-present resentment towards British influence in the region, and the distraction of the war, Iraqi nationalists attempted to take advantage of the situation and overthrow the ruling monarchy supported by the British. This brief conflict would come to be known as the Anglo-Iraqi War of 1941 and would leave a lasting impact on Iraq's development for most of the second half of the 20th century. British influence in the Middle East emerged in the 18th century. Britain expanded its empire across the world securing land, resources and wealth. The Middle East, once called Mesopotamia, became a vital midpoint connecting land routes between the Orient and the coasts of the Mediterranean, which then connected the European continent. As Britain's dominance in the Far East grew, the expanding empire fought for control of territory in the Middle East, linking its possessions in the East and West. Britain maintained its colonial influence over the majority of lands today within the modern borders of Jordan, Iraq, Israel and parts of Saudi Arabia for almost two centuries. After World War I and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations divided the lands of the Middle East and Britain gained control of these lands in what... middle of paper.. ....pub. HMSO 1956]. Butler, JRM ed. The Mediterranean and the Middle East, volume II The Germans come to the aid of their Ally (1941). History of the Second World War, UK military series. Naval and military press. Mackenzie, Compton. Eastern Epic: Volume 1 September 1939-March 1943 Defense. London: Chatto & Windus. Young, Peter (1972). The Arab Legion. Men-at-arms. Osprey Publishing. Wavell, Archibald (1946). Dispatch on operations in the Middle East from February 7, 1941 to July 15, 1941. London: War Office. In London GazetteWavell, Archibald (1946). Dispatch on operations in Iraq, eastern Syria and Iran from 10 April 1941 to 12 January 1942. London: War Office. In London GazetteWilson, Maitland (1946). Despatch on the command of Persia and Iraq covering the period 21 August 1942 to 17 February 1943. London: War Office. In the London Gazette