Political Instability in Iraq Before World War II

The political landscape in Iraq during the 1930s was marked by instability and a power vacuum, particularly after the death of King Faisal in 1933. His successor, King Ghazi, ruled for a brief period before dying, which led to a regency for the young King Faisal II. This situation enabled a series of military officer-led coups driven by Arab nationalists who were frustrated with the monarchy's dependence on British imperialism, especially during the Arab revolt in Palestine. The culmination of these events resulted in an environment where the military began to dominate the government, leading to a cycle of coups that created a highly unstable political climate just as World War II approached.