LEBANON SARAH AND SANJULA

MAPS

ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE REGION The predominant cultural backgrounds and ancestry of the Lebanese vary from Aramaean to Canaanite, and Greek. Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Much of Lebanon’s diversity is created through different religions such as Muslims and Christians. Christians dominate in the south and northwest of Lebanon while Sunni Muslims in the far north, Shiite Muslims in the northeast and south and Druze in the south-central and southeast. Christians are considered ethnically descended from the Ancient Phoenicians. These people lived in Lebanon before Lebanon was a country. The Muslims are considered Arabic.

MAJOR CAUSE OF CONFLICT Since the 1970’s ethnicities in Lebanon have been fighting. Lebanon is split by 60% Muslims and 40% Christians. Christians made up the majority and controlled the country’s main businesses, but as the Muslims became the majority, they forced political and economic equality. Other countries then felt the need to intervene in Lebanon's conflicts.

OUTSIDE FORCES OR INFLUENCES America and Israel both sent in troops to try to put a stop to the civil conflict going on, but their attempts failed. The United States withdrew their troops after many of them died due to a truck bomb in After this incident, Lebanon was left under the power of Syria, who held a historical claim on the area. But in 2005, they also had to pull back their troops.

CULTURAL CONFLICT The cultural conflict of Lebanon pertains mainly to religious differences. In 1943, Lebanon became an independent country. After WWII, the Arab-Israeli war caused many refugees to flee to Lebanon, this also caused much conflict. There was also religious conflict between the Christians and Muslims. Also the country of Syria did not view Lebanon as an independent country. They marched into Lebanon and ruthlessly killed many innocent lives. They shot “indiscriminately” at the Christians in Lebanon. Other incidents brought both the United States and Israel into the war. The United States Embassy was bombed and Tel Aviv was raided, causing Israel to get into the conflict.

TIMELINE 1943 Lebanon becomes an independent country Arab-Israeli war occurs, causing refugees to flee to Lebanon, a key component to the civil war to happen 27 years later Syria opens fire on Christian sectors, causing the war to worsen Lebanese president assassinated, and U.S Embassy bombed by a suicide bomber Agreement ends the civil war, giving each religion one half of the 128 Parliament seats.

REGIONS HISTORY REFLECTS 5 THEMES Location: Lebanon is located near Israel and Syria which both have much civil conflict themselves, and much of that reflects onto Lebanon, thus providing external reasons for civil conflict there. Place: Lebanon has religious conflict and problems between the Christians and Muslims, since many refugees have fled to the country from neighboring countries. It is placed in an area that is a hotbed of conflict. Movement: During the Arab-Israeli war, refugees fled to Lebanon, and those refugees then turn on the Lebanese government. This is a main component of the Lebanon Civil War. Region: The region includes Syria, which has a historical claim on Lebanon. Israel also got involved in the war after the raid on Tel Aviv. This caused both of the countries to send troops into Lebanon. Then the U.S got involved after the U.S. Embassy was bombed. Human-Environment Interaction: Many countries feel the need to invade and share their ideas with Lebanon. This has a lot to do with the environment. Because so many of these countries are close to each other, they heavily influence Lebanon's religion and cultural views.

HYPOTHESIS To create peace in Lebanon they need to create their own multi- diversity government such as that in This government should cater to the needs of both the Muslims and the Christian religion, and others. By creating their own government and not relying on other countries to take over, Lebanon will be able to better solve their country’s problems as they see them first hand. Lebanon should not give more power to one religion over another. The religions in Lebanon need to remain equal in power and show no superiority to one religion. Lebanon should remain as a country with no specific religion.

PHOTOS

EXTRA CREDIT VIDEO idUSKCN0IX18K After watching the video, What do you believe the Lebanese government should do to leave this “paralyzed government” phase? Why do surrounding countries feel the need to take over Lebanon? Do you believe Lebanon will have a country-wide religion? If yes, which religion? What new laws could the Lebanon government create to prevent other countries from taking over? Do you think Lebanon would benefit from being an independent country, or do they need another country to take over to benefit?

REFERENCES Holmes, O. (2014, November 14). Lebanon's politics paralyzed by regional conflict. Retrieved February 4, 2015, from idUSKCN0IX18K List of cathedrals in Lebanon. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from RFI. (2011, June 13). New Lebanese government formed. Retrieved February 4, 2015, from Rubenstein, J. M. (2014). The cultural landscape: An introdction to human geography. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Sztypuljak, D. (n.d.). Trailer & Images from Lebanon. Retrieved February 4, 2015, from The Lebanese civil war. ( ). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from The Middle East and Iran. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from east.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunni-shiite-demographics-of-lebanon.htmlhttp://war-in-middle- east.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunni-shiite-demographics-of-lebanon.html This One Photo Shows What Many Muslim & Conservative Christians Have In Common | Liberty Viral. (2014, July 4). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from shows-what-many-muslim-conservative-christians-have-in-common/#axzz3QoELV1fshttp://libertyviral.com/this-one-photo- shows-what-many-muslim-conservative-christians-have-in-common/#axzz3QoELV1fs