History of SW Asia

Fertile Crescent "Holy Lands" Mesopotamia Egypt Many Westerners, many who have a “Western Faith”, consider the area between Egypt and Iran to be the Cradle of “Cradles of Civilization”.

Sumerian Civilization is the first major recorded culture group of this region.

Assyrian Empire extended through the “Fertile Crescent”

Babylonian Empire was the last of the Mesopotamian Empires

The Babylonians conquered and took the Jews into captivity. Western wall – remnant of second temple built on the site.

Persian Empire – Last of the Ancient “Native” Empires. The Persian Empire was the last of the native based empires to rule over part or all of this region. (Persians released Jews)

Alexander and Hellenistic Empire was first major outside Empire `

Roman Empire conquered the fringes of this region. They had so much trouble with the Jews they forced them out of the region, event known as “Diaspora” (Dispersion).

The story of the masada resistance and the current cry “no more masadas” originate with the Jewish rebellions against the Romans.

(Carved in living stone church, Petra, Jordan.) Coptic Church Cairo, Egypt. (Carved in living stone church, Petra, Jordan.) During the Roman occupation of this region, the Christian faith emerges. https://www.yahoo.com/style/video/petra-broad-abroad-070000893.html

Early Arabic Settlement Marib, Yemen. By 500 AD, another Semitic group, the Arabs, have established themselves in the southwest portion of the Arabian peninsula. The area around Mecca becomes their center.

By 620 AD (year 1 of Islamic Calendar) Mohammad has begun to unite the Arab tribes under the religion of Islam and Arabs begin to extend their control over the Arabian Peninsula. Aerial View of Mecca and the Kaaba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM81wroj_MQ

By 750 AD the Arab Tribes have united and spread an Arab/Islamic Empire across most of this region and beyond.

Christian crusades fail to stop the advance of the Arab Empire or retake the Holy lands.

In 732, a Frankish army commanded by Charles Martel halts the advance of the Arab/Islamic empire into Western Europe at the Battle of Tours, France.

The Empire of the Turks, the Ottoman Empire, gradually replaced the Arab/Islamic Empire.

Polish Jan Sobieski victorious at Vienna In 1673 and in 1683 (battle of Vienna) the advance of the Ottoman Empire is halted in Eastern Europe.

Fighting on the side of Germany in WW1, the Ottoman Empire is dismantled and Middle East and African lands become European colonies and League of Nations Mandates.

Sykes/Picot Agreement(UK/France) ends this dream Arab Leaders Promised “Arabian Empire” if they revolt against Ottomans. British send T.E. Lawrence “Lawrence of Arabia” to organize rebels Sykes/Picot Agreement(UK/France) ends this dream

Israel became a nation in 1948, immediately fighting a war with its neighbors and immediately having a Palestinian Refugee problem.

added additional lands to Israel. Sinai returned in 1982 to The Six Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973) added additional lands to Israel. Sinai returned in 1982 to control of Egypt. Why is Jerusalem so important? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOfdE7ZfY3c&feature=em-share_video_user

US Involvement in SW Asia WWII – USA forces fight Axis in North Africa.

US Helps Produce/Imports Oil

over and occupants held hostage. 1958-Pres.Eisenhower sends troops to stop Communist takeover in Lebanon. 1983 – USA forces again enter Lebanon to help in Civil War. 1979 – USA Embassy is taken over and occupants held hostage.

Israel/Palestine Peace Talks Why does the US govt love Israel? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl8sWCxyPJw

1980 – 1988 USA supports Iraq in the Iraq/Iran War.

1990-91 USA forces participate in Operation Desert Storm to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait/protect Saudi Arabia.

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 Fighting ISIS/Supporting Yemen