“The Great Bitterness”

What does it mean to be bitter?

Objectives (aka what you should be able to do after this presentation)

Trace colonialism in the Middle EastUnderstand what “Arab” meansSummarize history and significance of the

Suez CanalUnderstand the background of the Arab-

Israeli conflictDescribe Britain’s role in the Persian Gulf and

Middle Eastern reactions to its presence.

I. BackgroundA. The Europeans viewed the Middle East as a

great source of wealth and a great trade route

B. Similar to Africa, colonialism contributed to the tensions that still exist in the Middle East today (although in very different ways than in Africa)

II. ColonialismA. Definition- foreign occupation of land with

an intent to exploit its resourcesB. Reasons for colonialism in the Middle East

1. New markets to sell products2. Raw materials for industry3. Access to trade routes

C. Key players1. Great Britain2. France3. Russia

III. History of Colonialism in Middle EastA. Rule by Europeans caused both frustration

and humiliation for Arabs 1. Arabs are people who share ethnic, cultural, and

linguistic traitsa. Name taken from “Arabian Peninsula” regionb. There are also Christian Arabs and Jewish Arabs (Arab is

not a religion)2. Many fought and died for

independence from European rule

IV. Syria and Lebanon

A. Syria was under the control of the Ottoman Empire, who teams up with Germany (US enemy) in WWI

1. Did not like being under Ottoman control

2. Wanted independence

B. Germany and the Ottomans lose WWI

1. France and Great Britain divide up the loser’s territory

2. Syria and Lebanon are given to France

3. Many revolts against European leaders

As a class, read the story on page 604

IV. Syria and Lebanon

C. After decades of attempts for independence from France, they were successful in 1946

1. What happened in the world that helped Syria and Lebanon gain independence?

2. Both countries created democracies that were successful for some time

D. A civil war in Lebanon and a military overthrow of the gov’t in Syria were obstacles

Geographic Question:

Look at the world map. If you live in France and you want to trade with China using a ship, how do you get

there?

V. The Suez CanalA.Links the Red Sea to

the Mediterranean Sea

1. A French engineer designed it

2. Egyptian men forced to construct it for low wages

3. Took 10 years to build4. Completed in 18695. Many Egyptian

laborers died

B. Britain had become the main user of the Suez Canal, but Egypt wanted control1. Britain sent troops that

stayed there until 19562. President Nasser believed

foreigners had no right to control Egyptian land

3. Nasser “nationalized” the canal

a. Made it property of the government

b. Used profits for Aswan High Dam on the Nile

As a class, read quote at the bottom of page 608

VI. Arab-Israeli Conflict

A. Both Arabs and Israelis claim they own the land of present-day Israel

1. Used to be called Palestine

2. Was controlled by the Ottomans and inhabited by 500,000 Arabs and 50,000 Jews before WWI

B. After WWI when the Ottoman Empire fell, Britain took control

1. Britain made promises to the Arabs that they would have an independent state, but instead the British occupied the land

2. After WWII, the Jewish population increased3. Palestinian Arabs became angry and violent

protests erupted4. The UN created 2 states in 1947

a. Palestine (Arab Muslim)b. Israel (Jewish)

C. Palestinians refused to accept Israel as a state and Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and others invaded Israel1. Israel won, and almost a million Palestinians were forced to leave their homes2. The bitterness and violence has continued ever since

a. suicide bombingsb. failed peace talks

VII. The Persian GulfA. Oil was discovered in this

area in the early 1900sB. Britain and other European

nations set up drilling operations

1. Arabs and Iranians resented other countries becoming wealthy from their oil

2. Iran was the first country to nationalize their oil resources (page 611)

a. Most European powers boycotted Iranian oil

Note: Nationalization is when the gov’t takes control of a company