Where did the term “Middle East” come from? How do you know?

Question

A-from North Africa: People in North Africa began calling the area the “Middle East” because it was east of North Africa.

B-from the Ottoman Empire: The Ottoman Empire was responsible for the term “Middle East” after the empire took control

C-from China: The term changed from the “Middle West” to the “Middle East” because of how China saw the area.

D-from Europeans: Europeans began using the term “Middle East” to describe an area once ruled by the Ottoman Empire.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D-from Europeans: Europeans began using the term “Middle East” to describe an area once ruled by the Ottoman Empire.

The term "Middle East" was popularized by Western powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly as European geopolitical interests in the region grew, especially with respect to issues like oil and trade routes. It was used to differentiate the region from both the "Far East" (primarily referring to East Asia) and Europe. This terminology emerged during a time of significant changes in the region, including the decline of the Ottoman Empire.