How and why did Great Britain become involved with Palestine in the late 1930s?

Great Britain became involved with Palestine primarily because of colonial and strategic interests, coupled with the influence of Zionism and balancing Arab nationalism.

1. Ottoman Empire's Decline: As the Ottoman Empire weakened, European powers, including Great Britain, became interested in its territories. Britain's interest in the region was, in part, to maintain access to its colonies in Asia and Africa, especially India.

2. World War I and the Balfour Declaration: During World War I, Britain sought the support of Jewish people by promising to establish a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration of 1917. This was also a strategy to gain favor in Russia and the United States, countries with significant Jewish populations.

3. The British Mandate: After WWI, Britain was awarded the mandate to govern Palestine by the League of Nations. This placed Palestine under British control, charged with establishing institutions for self-governance and facilitating the Balfour Declaration's promise.

4. Arab Nationalism and Jewish Immigration: During the 1920s and 1930s, tensions between the Arab majority and the growing Jewish population, partly fueled by immigration, increased. Britain had to manage the conflicting interests of both groups.

5. The 1936-1939 Arab Revolt: In response to Jewish immigration and fears of losing their land and political autonomy, the Arabs in Palestine launched a revolt against British rule. This forced Britain to deploy more troops and resources to restore and maintain order.

6. The White Paper of 1939: As a way to address and appease Arab concerns, Britain issued the White Paper of 1939. This policy limited Jewish immigration and land purchases and proposed an independent Palestine governed by Arabs and Jews in proportion to their population sizes within ten years.

Britain's role in Palestine in the late 1930s was a balancing act between its interests, Zionist aspirations, and Arab opposition, amidst growing regional unrest and the impending turmoil of World War II.