"It is accordingly understood between the French and British governments: That France and Great Britain are prepared to recognize and protect an independent Arab states or a confederation of Arab states (a) and (b) marked on the annexed map, under the suzerainty of an Arab chief. That in area (a) France, and in area (b) Great Britain, shall have priority of right of enterprise and local loans. That in area (a) France, and in area (b) Great Britain, shall alone supply advisers or foreign functionaries at the request of the Arab state or confederation of Arab states.

That in the blue area France, and in the red area Great Britain, shall be allowed to establish such direct or indirect administration or control as they desire and as they may think fit to arrange with the Arab state or confederation of Arab states.

That in the brown area there shall be established an international administration, the form of which is to be decided upon after consultation with Russia, and subsequently in consultation with the other allies, and the representatives of the Shereef of Mecca.”

Excerpt from the 1916 Sykes–Picot Agreement, describing a map that secretly divided the Middle East

Which of the following was an enduring effect of the terms outlined in the agreement?

Competing religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East united to oust European influence.
Nation-states in the Middle East established political rights for ethnic and religious minorities.
Artificial boundaries prioritizing European interests created unstable nations in the Middle East.
Outside countries created European-style democracies throughout the Middle East.