- Deception: Many Arabs who had collaborated with the British military during World War 1, expecting some form of self-governance or independence, felt deceived when the British and French partitioned territories amongst themselves, without allowing the Arab peoples a say in the matter.
- Broken Promises: The British had made specific promises during the war to support Arab independence, especially in the Hussein-McMahon Correspondence with Sharif Husayn of Mecca, which is also known as the Arab Declaration of 1915, which is viewed as the basis of Arab betrayal. The declaration promised independence for an Arab dominion in exchange for Arab support against the Ottomans.
- Mandate System: The aftermath of World War I witnessed the implementation of a League of Nations mandate system in the Middle Eastern territories formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, making these regions dependencies of the British and French. However, these mandates were frequently seen as a form of continued colonialism, denying Arabs sovereignty and self-determination.
- Nationalist Aspirations: The emergence of Arab nationalist movements heightened the expectation for independence and self-rule. The establishment of the Ottoman Caliphate and its eventual collapse contributed to the rise of diverse nationalist ideals, which clashed with the interests of the European colonial powers.