[1] The party was first named the Arab Ihya Movement (Ḥarakat al-Iḥyāʼ al-‘Arabī; Arab Revitalization Movement) until 1943 when it adopted the name "Baʽath" (meaning resurrection).

Shortly after being founded, the Movement became involved in anti-colonial Arab nationalist militant activities, including Aflaq founding the Syrian Committee to Help Iraq that was created in 1941 to support the anti-British and pro-Axis government of Iraq against the British during the Anglo-Iraqi War of 1941.

[8] The Syrian Committee sent weapons and volunteers to fight alongside Iraqi forces against the British.

[9] Aflaq unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for the Syrian parliament in 1943.

[10] After the Syrian election defeat, the Movement sought cooperation with other parties in elections in Syria, including the Arab Socialist Movement of Akram El-Hourani.