Middle East History Review

European Partitioning in the Middle East Iraq Iran Afghanistan

The Ottoman Empire (Click the map for animation)

European Partitioning

European Partitioning

An Excellent NPR Report on Partitioning of the Middle East (Click the Graphic Below)

History of the Middle East since the 20th Century

(Click graphic for animation)

History of Iraq
This region was part of the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s.

During WWI, Great Britain set up the Kingdom of Iraq and put a Pro-British ruler into power.

History of Iraq
In the 1950s this government was overthrown.

After a series of other governmental changes the Baath Party too power in 1968.

Iraq: Saddam Hussein

A Baath leader named Saddam Hussein became the president. Saddam Hussein was a harsh ruler. He controlled the press, restricted personal freedoms and killed numerous political enemies. Iraq was the second largest oil exporter in the world.

Iraq: Iraq/Iran War

In 1980 Iraq invaded Iran. Saddam Hussein was worried that the Shia Islamic revolution that was taking place in Iran would spill over into Iraq.

Iraqs Oil Fields

Iraq: Iraq/Iran War

Saddam Hussein decided to take advantage of the chaos in Iran and invade without being noticed.

The Iranians fought back and the Iraq/Iran war continued until 1988. Both countries suffered.

Iraq: Persian Gulf War

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Western world leaders were afraid to have Saddam Hussein in control of such a large share of the worlds oil. Western world leaders also thought Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) (chemical and biological weapons)

Iraq: Persian Gulf War

An alliance of countries (including U. S. and Great Britain) forced the Iraqis out of Kuwait

Iraq: Persian Gulf War

Iraq: Results of The Persian Gulf War

Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq. Because Saddam refused to accept U. N. terms for peace, the U. N. placed an embargo on Iraq. Iraqs economy suffered as a result of the embargo. 600 oil fields in Kuwait were set on fire with devastating environmental affects.

History of Iran
In 1921, an Iranian military officer took power claimed the old Persian title of Shah, or king.

In 1941 the Shahs son took control who was an ally to the United States and Britain. He also wanted to modernize Iran.

Iran: Iranian Revolution

Unfortunately for him, the modernization programs were unpopular.

In 1979, he was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution.

Iran: Takes American Hostages

Irans new government set up an Islamic Republic. Relations with the United States broke down. In 1979, a mob of Iranian students took Americans hostage.

Iran: Takes American Hostages

The Iranian government gave permission for the Americans to be taken hostage. The Americans were held by force for over 1 year.

Iran
The Iranian Revolution (1979) was followed by the Iraq/Iran War which began in 1980 (and discussed earlier in this presentation).

Iran: Government
Iran is a theocracy a government ruled by religious leaders.

Iran: Government
Iran has an elected president and legislature (chosen by the spiritual leader).

Iran: Government

An expert on Islamic law is the supreme leader.

Iran: Government

Iran: Governmental Policies

Irans government has supported many hard-line policies. For example: call for the destruction of Israel For example: supported terrorist groups

Afghanistan: The Khyber Pass

Afghanistan is a landlocked country with very high mountains. The Khyber Pass is a narrow passage through the Hindu Kush Mountains that lie between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghanistan: The Khyber Pass

Merchants, warriors, and missionaries have long used the Khyber Pass to reach India.

Afghanistan: History
In 1979, (around the same time as the Iranian Revolution discussed earlier), The Soviet Union sent troops to Afghanistan to help the communist government there in a civil war.

Afghanistan: History
This led to a long war between Soviet troops and Afghan rebels (Mujahedeen). The United States was supporting the Afghan rebels. In 1989, an alliance of Afghan rebel groups took power and the Soviet troops left.

Afghanistan: History
Turmoil in Afghanistan continued and in the mid-1990s a radical Muslim group called the Taliban arose.

The Taliban took over most of Afghanistan and ruled strictly. The Taliban forced women to wear veils and stop working outside the home.

Afghanistan: History
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were traced to Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network based in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Terrain causes Political Problems

Why cant we find Osama bin Laden or at least win and end the current war in Afghanistan?
The rugged terrain makes it difficult to organize, fight, and rule people.