Aim: Conflicts and Change in the Middle East Visualizing Global History Mr. Oberhaus Regents Review Unit 7 Section 5

Forces Shaping the Middle East Religion & Ethnic Differences Natural Resources GovernmentsIslamic Traditions Muslims, Christians, & Jews Different sects within religions More than 30 languages Religious, racial, & cultural prejudices Desire for a united Arab state Largest oil fields in the world Oil-rich nations gain wealth & political & economic power Limited water supply Arguments over dams & water rights Democracy in Israel & Turkey Rule by royal family in Jordan & Saudi Arabia Single party dictators in Iraq & Syria Laws of Islam influence government, society, & personal life Anti-western feelings 1990s revival of Islamic traditions

Creation of Israel In 1947, the United Nations drew up a plan to divide Palestine, which was under British rule to create both a Jewish and Arab state. Jews accepted the plan but Arabs did not. In 1948, the British withdrew from the area and the State of Israel was proclaimed. They were immediately recognized by the United States and Soviet Union. Israel developed quickly with the help of the United States.

Arab-Israeli Wars As soon as Israel was created; Arab nations vowed to drive the Jews out of Palestine. War for Independence – In 1948, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Saudi Arabia invaded Israel. The Israeli military easily won and seized land putting Palestinians in refugee camps. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) – In 1964, the PLO was formed to push for Arab self rule in Palestine with Yasir Arafat as the leader. The PLO used terrorist assaults against Israel. The Six Day War – In 1967, the Israeli’s gained land in the Sinai Peninsula, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem. The Yom Kippur War – In 1973 Egypt & Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur which is one of the holiest days for Jews. The Arab nations were soundly defeated. Intifada – In 1987, a series of civil disobedience acts were committed by Palestinians against Israeli rule.

Attempts at Peace in Israel Camp David Accords – In 1979, US President Jimmy Carter invited Egypt President Anwar Sadat and Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin to discuss terms of a possible “Peace Treaty” known as the “Camp David Accords”. Egypt was given back the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt recognized the right of Israel to exist. Sadat was later assassinated by Muslim Extremists over this issue. Oslo Peace Accords – In 1993, Arafat and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin agreed on a treaty granted Palestinians limited self rule in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. In 1994, King Hussain of Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel and in 1995, Rabin was assassinated by Jewish extremists over this issue. Peace is still being sought in this area. The Palestinians elected Hamas, a group who uses terrorist attacks and suicide bombings towards Israeli. Virtually eliminating any hope for peace.

Civil War in Lebanon Lebanon gained independence after WWII. Christians and Muslims lived together peacefully until Palestinian refugees gained a majority. In 1975, Civil War broke out between Christians and Muslims. Both Israel and Syria became involved. In 2000 both Israel and Syria withdrew from Lebanon leaving the country under Arab control.

Iranian Revolution In 1953, Great Britain and the US helped Muhammad Reza Pahlavi gain control of the Iranian government. He proclaimed himself “Shah”. He westernized and modernized Iran but ruled as a dictator. Ayatollah Khomeini opposed the rule of the “Shah” and with protests growing the “Shah” fled in Ayatollah Khomeini proclaimed Iran to be an Islamic Republic to be ruled as a “Theocracy”.

Impact of the Iranian Revolution The new Iranian government was extremely hostile to the West, especially to the United States; Western books, music, and movies were banned. The government required strict adherence to Muslim religious tradition. There was no separation of religion and government. Many rights were taken away from women. Iranian militants seized the American embassy in Tehran and held a group of Americans hostage for more than a year. Iran encouraged Muslims in other countries to work to overthrow secular governments and establish Islamic republics. A number of countries opposed westernization and they wanted to apply strict Islamic principles to the rule of their people; those countries included Libya, Algeria, Turkey, and Afghanistan.

Saddam Hussein and Iraq Iran-Iraq War – In 1980, Hussein’s forces seized control of a disputed border between Iran and Iraq. When both countries attacked oil tankers in the Persian Gulf; the United States Navy began offering protection to oil tankers. The war finally ended in Persian Gulf War – In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. US President George H. Bush ordered Hussein to withdraw. When he refused, the US began striking Iraq. The US and its allies quickly pushed Iraq out of Kuwait. Iraq War – In 2003, President H.W. Bush invaded Iraq. Iraq was blamed in part for the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the human rights violations occurring under Hussein. Hussein was toppled and executed but now al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups have settled into Iraq

Summary The Middle East is an area of great diversity and economic importance. It is also an area of great conflict. The creation of the state of Israel in 1948 set off years of conflict between Arabs and Jews. A revolution occurred in Iran that created an Islamic Republic. A growing influence in the area is that of Islamic Fundamentalism, a movement to return to traditional Islamic ways. The aggressive actions of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein led to a war that involved many countries of the world.