Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire began as one of many small Turkish states which conquered the Anatolian Peninsula ( Turkey ). Growing with each conquest, they eventually conquered much of SW Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe. GPS: SS7H2

Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire was one of the longest lasting empires in history It lasted from CE (common era) Ottoman rulers converted to Islam The Ottoman Empire helped spread Islam throughout its conquered territories The Ottomans became wealthy by taxing traders along trade routes (The Silk Road).

Ottoman Empire By WW1, the Ottoman Empire had become weak and was losing territories. It had become known as “The Sick Old Man of Europe” It still controlled South West Asia (Middle East), including Palestine

End of WW1 Allies win!!! (United States, Great Britain, France, Russia and Ottoman Empire) Ottoman Empire collapses and its territories are divided (partitioned) among Great Britain and France This is known as the “Partitioning of the Middle East” Great Britain took control of Palestine

Creation of Israel Zionism- term created by Theodore Herzl in the 1890’s as part of reaction to rampant anti-Semitism in Europe. Advocates the resettlement of the Jewish ancestral homeland by Jews from all over the world (Diaspora) Remember: the Jews believe this is the land promised to them by God in the covenant with Abraham

Creation of Israel After WW1 persecution of Jews continued in Europe With the rise of Germany (Hitler) and WW2 this persecution reached incredible heights

Creation of Israel After WW2 when the world learned of the Nazi’s actions against the Jews, sympathy for the Jews quickly grew. An organization called the United Nations (UN) was formed. It’s purpose was to try to solve problems between the world’s countries before they led to war. The hope was to avoid another world war.

Creation of Israel With UN backing (support) the United States and Great Britain put into place a plan to create a homeland for the Jews who were displaced by WW2 and who survived the Holocaust. This “plan” was the fulfillment of promises made in the Balfour Declaration.

Creation of Israel In 1947 the nation of Israel was created out of the region of Palestine Palestine was partitioned into Jewish and Arab areas. This was done without considering what would happen to the Palestinians (Arabs) who lived on the land.

Creation of Israel The U.S. and other western nations felt that it was fair considering what had happened to the Jews under Hitler and the Nazis

Creation of Israel Israel became an independent nation in Because the U.S. supports Israel, Israel’s creation has caused problems between the U.S. and the other Arab nations since The Arab nations have never accepted the fact that Israel is a legitimate nation with a right to exist