Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 2 Aftermath of…
Full specification wording
Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 2 Aftermath of the 1948–49 war: Territorial changes and their impact. The refugee status of Palestinian Arabs.
During the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled, creating a massive refugee crisis.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
During the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled, creating a massive refugee crisis. Following the war, significant territorial changes altered the Middle East. Israel expanded its territory by 21% beyond the 1947 UN Partition Plan, capturing the western Galilee. Transjordan annexed the West Bank, and Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip, meaning no independent Palestinian state was established. The refugees settled in camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Their refugee status created a protracted humanitarian crisis and became a central, unresolved issue in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, fuelling future tensions and regional instability.
What earns the marks
- Identify the territorial gains made by Israel beyond the UN Partition Plan.
- Explain the roles of Egypt and Transjordan in occupying the Gaza Strip and West Bank respectively.
- Describe the scale of the Palestinian refugee crisis, noting the displacement of approximately 700,000 people during the 1948-49 war.
- Analyse the impact of the refugee crisis on regional stability and future Arab-Israeli relations.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that a Palestinian state was created in 1948.
Put it right by explaining that the proposed Arab state's territory was absorbed by Israel, Egypt, and Transjordan.
Confusing the territories taken by Egypt and Transjordan.
Put it right by specifying Egypt took Gaza and Transjordan took the West Bank.
Assuming all Palestinian Arabs left voluntarily.
Put it right by noting that while some fled out of fear, others were forcibly expelled by Israeli forces.
Exam tips
- Use specific geographical terms like 'West Bank' and 'Gaza Strip' when discussing territorial changes.
- Link the 1948-49 war directly to the creation of the Palestinian refugee crisis to show cause and consequence.
- Remember to mention the impact on neighbouring Arab states that had to absorb large numbers of refugees.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 2 Aftermath of the 1948–49 war: Territorial changes and their impact. The refugee status of Palestinian Arabs. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Following the 1948–49 war, which territory was occupied and administered by Egypt?
Listen
During the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled, creating a massive refugee crisis. Following the war, significant territorial changes altered the Middle East. Israel expanded its territory by 21% beyond the 1947 UN Partition Plan, capturing the western Galilee. Transjordan annexed the West Bank, and Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip, meaning no independent Palestinian state was established. The refugees settled in camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Their refugee status created a protracted humanitarian crisis and became a central, unresolved issue in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, fuelling future tensions and regional instability. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the territorial gains made by Israel beyond the UN Partition Plan. Explain the roles of Egypt and Transjordan in occupying the Gaza Strip and West Bank respectively. Describe the scale of the Palestinian refugee crisis, noting the displacement of approximately 700,000 people during the 1948-49 war. Analyse the impact of the refugee crisis on regional stability and future Arab-Israeli relations. A common slip: Stating that a Palestinian state was created in 1948. Instead, explaining that the proposed Arab state's territory was absorbed by Israel, Egypt, and Transjordan. Exam tip: Use specific geographical terms like 'West Bank' and 'Gaza Strip' when discussing territorial changes.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Territorial changes
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Refugee status
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Migration and displacement
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Conflict and consequence
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See every definition
- Territorial changes
- Alterations to territory following the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, including Israel expanding beyond the 1947 UN Partition Plan and capturing the western Galilee.
- Refugee status
- The position of Palestinian Arabs who fled or were expelled during the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War and settled in camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
- Migration and displacement
- The movement of around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs who fled or were expelled during the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, creating a massive refugee crisis.
- Conflict and consequence
- The outcome of the 1948–49 Arab-Israeli War, in which no independent Palestinian state was established and the refugee crisis became a central, unresolved issue.
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