Conflicts and Change in Conflicts and Change in the Middle Eastthe Middle East
Main IdeasMain IdeasThe creation of Israel has led to conflicts
between Jews and ArabsThe search for peace between Jews and
Arabs has had some successA revolution in Iran has led to an Islamic
republicIraq has been involved in several
international conflicts
Key Themes and ConceptsKey Themes and Concepts
Diversity : how has the diversity in the Middle East affected its recent history ?
Conflict : what efforts have been made to end conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors?
Interdependence : why did the Persian Gulf War involve many nations from around the world ?
Belief systems : How is Islamic fundamentalism effecting life in the Middle East today ?
The Impact of GeographyThe Impact of Geography
Oil in the region has brought power to some Middle eastern countries.
The world is so concerned with this region due to dependence on oil.
In Quest of a HomelandIn Quest of a Homeland
After WWII many Jewish survivors of the Holocaust migrated to Palestine
Both Jew and Palestinians claim rights to this land which has led to violent clashes.
CreationCreation of Israel of Israel
1948 Britain withdraws, and the Jews establish the State of Israel
Both the U.S. and USSR recognize the newly created state.
First Arab-Israeli WarFirst Arab-Israeli War
The Arabs were determined to destroy the state of Israel
1948. The day after Israel proclaimed itself a nation Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria invaded Israel
Israel is victorious
Palestine Liberation Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)Organization (PLO)
Led by Yassir Arafat Used terrorist tactics
and fought a guerrilla war against Israelis at home and abroad.
Second Arab-Israeli WarSecond Arab-Israeli War
1956. The Suez Crisis. Nasser of Egypt nationalizes Suez Canal
Britain and France assist Israel with an invasion.
Israel defeats Egyptians but U.S. and USSR force Israel to withdraw.
Canal is left to Egypt
Third Arab-Israeli WarThird Arab-Israeli War
1967. The Six Day War. The Israelis mount a pre-emptive strike against Egypt, Iran, Jordan, and Syria.
Israel takes control of the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan heights
Fourth Arab-Israeli WarFourth Arab-Israeli War
1973. Egypt and Syria attack Israel on the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur.
Known as the Yom Kippur WarAlthough Israel was taken off guard, they
still manage to repulse the attack
Positive OutcomesPositive Outcomes Egypt and Israel began
to seek peace 1979, Egypt and Israel
sign the Camp David Accords to end war between the two countries
Israeli prime minister Begin; U.S. president Carter; Egyptian president Sadat
Not So Positive OutcomesNot So Positive Outcomes
1987. Young Palestinians mount the intifada, or uprising
Teenagers defied Israeli soldiers with tactics ranging rock throwing to suicide bombings.
Crackdowns on the Intifada led to more violence
A Step in the Right DirectionA Step in the Right Direction
1993. Direct talks are held between Israel and the PLO.
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yassir Arafat sign agreement giving Palestinians limited self-rule in Gaza and JerichoRabin; Clinton; and Arafat
Civil War in LebanonCivil War in Lebanon
Palestinian refugees entering Lebanon after 1967 created a Muslim majority in Lebanon
A civil war between Christians and Muslims began in 1975
Order was restored by 1990
Roadmap of PeaceRoadmap of Peace
The U.S., UN, EU, and Russia outlined a roadmap of peace.
This would establish a Palestinian stateIn return the PLO had to make democratic
reforms and halt its use of terrorism
Total Security for IsraelTotal Security for Israel
2001 Ariel Sharon elected as prime minister of Israel
His objective was to ensure total security of Israel
Some critics feel that he has impeded the peace process
The Iranian RevolutionThe Iranian Revolution
U.S. helps Muhammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah) gain control of Iranian government
The Shah was overthrown in 1979 by fundamentalist Ayatollah Khomeini
1989 Khomeini dies, moderates take over
Shah Khomeini
Impact of the RevolutionImpact of the Revolution
Extreme hostility toward the westStrict adherence to Muslim traditionsMany rights taken away from womenIranian militiamen seize American
embassy and hold hostages for more than a year
Iran begins to encourage revolutions
Islamic FundamentalismIslamic Fundamentalism
During the 1970s and especially after the Iranian Revolution many Muslims opposed westernization
They sought to apply Islamic principles to the problems of their nation.
Examples – Libya, Algeria, and Turkey
Saddam Hussein and IraqSaddam Hussein and Iraq
Under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, Iraq was involved in several conflicts in the Middle East
Iran-Iraq WarIran-Iraq War
1980. There was a border dispute between Iran and Iraq.
Hussein mobilized his forces and they quickly seized control of the border
War broke out between the two countries that lasted nearly 8 years, and devastated both countries
Persian Gulf WarPersian Gulf War
1990 Iraq invades Kuwait and seized its oil fields The U.S. saw this as a threat to Saudi Arabia and
the flow of oil When Iraq refused to withdraw from Kuwait, the
1991 Persian Gulf War began The U.S. and its allies quickly won and liberated
Kuwait Hussein remained in power
We’ve Come Full CircleWe’ve Come Full Circle
Diversity : how has the diversity in the Middle East affected its recent history ?
Conflict : what efforts have been made to end conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors?
Interdependence : why did the Persian Gulf War involve many nations from around the world ?
Belief systems : How is Islamic fundamentalism effecting life in the Middle East today ?