Final answer:
The key factors in the carve-up of the Middle East were the colonial conventions of European powers, the Sykes-Picot Agreement, and the growing reliance on oil.
Step-by-step explanation:
The carve-up of the Middle East was influenced by several factors. One key factor was the colonial conventions of European powers, who saw themselves as deciding the fate of the region. The 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement divided the Middle East into spheres of influence for Britain and France, with other countries like Russia and Italy also involved. The growing reliance on oil in the world was also a major factor, as these powers wanted to control the region's oil resources. Additionally, the self-interests of Western powers, such as Britain's desire to control the Suez Canal and access to oil in the Persian Gulf, played a role in the carve-up.