Modern Middle East Notes MR HARDY RMS IB

Modern Middle East Notes MR. HARDY RMS IB Middle School

Aim: What events led to the ongoing conflict between Jews & Muslims? Do Now: How would your life be different if you lived in a place that suffered from weekly terrorist attacks?

Historical Conflicts in the Middle East Since the start of man’s history, the Middle East has been a “hot bed” of civilization’s development. Religion has consistently played a role in the politics and history of the region. The competition for scarce resources, water, agricultural land, and more recently oil, have driven leaders and nations into conflict.

Sources of Modern Middle East Conflict • Religious Differences – Different religions – Sunnis (leader is a member of the Muslim community) vs. Shia’s (Direct descendant of Muhammad) • Ethnic Groups – Persians (Iran) vs. Arabs (Iraq) • Nationalism – Some ethnic groups wish for an independent nation instead of a multiethnic one – Kurds- mountain people from Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey (Multiple violent struggles for independence) • Fundamentalism – Belief in following your religion directly, as outline by holy text – Theocratic Government- religion based – Example- 1979, Shi’ite leader Khomeini took over Iran, ended all westernization and instilled fundamentalist beliefs over the government and country

BRITAIN & THE BALFOUR DECLARATION • During WWI the British wanted the U. S. to join the war on their side. They thought if they supported the concept of Zionism, a Jewish homeland in Palestine, that influential Jewish Americans might persuade the U. S. to join the war on the Allied side. • The Balfour Declaration of 1917 affirmed the British Government’s belief that Zionism should be supported. • Palestine was controlled by the British, after the defeat of the Ottoman Turks in WWI. They officially took control of Palestine in 1922. • Controlled by Great Britain, following WWII, Jewish refugees fled Europe for safety, many immigrated to Palestine

20 th Century Modern Middle East History • Palestine- Arab region lived on by Jewish people for over 2000 years • 1945 Jewish terrorist organizations began to kill British soldiers in Palestine. • 1946 the Zionist terrorist organization, Irgun, bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, headquarters of the British military in Palestine, killing 91 people. • 1947 - United Nations involved to end disagreement with traditional Arab population and recent Jewish immigrants • The U. N. divides Palestine in to two parts – Part 1 Arab – Part 2 Jewish • 1948 - Israel becomes independent state for Jewish people • Arab—Israeli Wars – Arab nations, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia & Syria declare war on Israel. – They did not agree with the creation of the Jewish state – Israel wins the first of multiple wars (1948, 1967, and 1973)

I. Reason for conflict A. Palestinians – Arabs who had lived in the area of Israel for 2000 years forced to move B. Palestinians that remained forced to live in camps to make room for Jews C. Jerusalem is holy land to 3 major faiths D. Jews and Muslims each want to control Jerusalem

Arab- Israeli Wars • Over 700, 000 Palestinian Arab refugees fled to other countries during the wars • Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)- goal est. an independent Palestinian State • Throughout wars, constant shifts of territory between Israelis and Palestinians • Peace Attempts – 1979 - Egypt makes peace with Israel – 1993 - Palestinian and Israel peace agreement signed • PLO recognizes Israel as a state • Israel gave territory to the Palestinians

II. Effects of creation of Israel A. Palestinians became refugees in other countries throughout the middle east.

Map of Palestinian Refugees According to the map, what was one result of the creation of Israel?

B. Terrorism is a constant threat in Israel

C. Israel Puts up a wall around Palestinian areas to prevent terrorist from moving into Israeli areas Look it up! : What does apartheid mean?

Iran- Iraq War • OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries – Made up of Arabian Peninsula countries who wished to control the global economy of oil prices and shipment, 1960 • Long lasting dispute over who controlled oil rich territory • Islamic Revolution in Iran- People upset with the Shah (king) • Looked to new leader- Khomeini (religious leader) • Shah overthrown • Changed to Islamic Conservative Laws • 1980 - Iraq invaded Iran (Led by Saddam Hussein) • 8 year war – Over 1 million people died • 1988 - cease fire agreement signed (written by the United Nations) – No clear winner

Persian Gulf War • 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait for the oil supply • Saddam Hussein (Iraq’s leader) led the invasion • United Nations- trade embargo to stop Iraq from profiting • January 16 th, 1991 - multi- nation missile attack began on Iraq • US military titled the operation “Desert Storm” to help Kuwait • February 24 th- Ground attack begins – Lasted 100 hours • Iraq surrendered – Saddam’s forces left Kuwait – Both Iraq and Kuwait suffered much destruction from the attacks

2 nd Gulf War – The Iraq War • 2003 – The United States and Great Britain invade Iraq. Why? • President George Bush claimed Iraq was manufacturing chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. The weapons were called WMD, or Weapons of Mass Destruction. • President Bush also claimed the U. S. was vulnerable to an Iraqi terrorist attack and that Iraq supported al-Qaeda, the terrorist group that attacked the U. S. on 9/11. • Iraqi refused to allow anymore U. N. inspections inside Iraq. • The U. S. and British armies quickly defeated the Iraqi military and overthrew Saddam Hussein’s government. • 2006 – Saddam Hussein is executed by hanging. • 2011 – The final U. S. and British troops leave Iraq. • No WMD’s were ever found in Iraq.

Arab Spring Starting in Egypt in Feb. 2011, several Middle Eastern governments were overthrown or came under pressure from popular citizen revolts. These revolts became known as the Arab Spring.

Arab Spring • • • Egyptian Revolution - President Mubarak ruled Egypt for 30 years Country was governed by the military throughout his reign Revolution, 18 days of protest – High poverty rate, low literacy of population, high unemployment – Mubarek resigns, is arrested and sent to prison. Libyan Revolution - Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, dictator for 40 years August 2011 Government overthrown Gaddafi captured in October and killed Algerian Revolution - Abdelaziz Bouteflika - President Pressured to change the Constitution and limit Presidential power Issues with the government and the people had been brewing for over 19 years Revolution triggered by high food prices, starvation. Tunisian Revolution – President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, ruled Tunisia for over 25. Over 300 citizens died during the revolution - President and wife sentenced to 35 years in jail

Classwork In your notebook, • Describe the similarities and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity. • What are some reasons that make it so difficult for these religions to get along? • Complete the worksheet, Modern Middle East Oil and Religious Conflict worksheet using the History Alive book, pages 439 -453.