Saddam Hussein and War in Iraq

Do Now: 9/20 Should the U.S. intervene to remove dangerous dictators? Is a pre-emptive strike against another nation ever justified?

Homework Write a letter to President Bush, explaining whether you think he responded correctly to the threat of Saddam Hussein. Recognize what you liked and disliked about his response and what he could have done differently.  3 paragraphs Neatly written or typed Letter format

Ethnic Groups in Iraq

Background: The Constitutional Monarchy

Faisal, 1st King of Iraq Created by the British in 1921 from three Ottoman provinces – Mosul, Baghdad, & Basra. Prince Faisal from Arabia becomes king. Iraq gains formal independence in 1932.

Iraq in the Inter-War Era British maintained military bases. The Iraq Petroleum Co. created (a joint British, French, & American business). Iraqi oil helped the Allies during WW II.

Iraqi Military Gains Power Weak monarchy. Seven military coups between 1936-1941. British occupy Iraq in 1941  increase authoritarianism.

1958 Revolution Violent overthrow of the monarchy. Creation of the Republic of Iraq. Reform and dictatorship under President Abd al-Karim Qasim purged western advisors. centralized authority. some inclusion of Kurds and Shi’ites in the government. some land reform. public welfare projects.

Violence becomes a vital part of Iraqi political culture! 1963 & 1968 Coups 1952  Baath Party created. 1963  Baath forced out of the new government after the coup. 1968  Baath Party coup led by Major General Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr.  His deputy was Saddam Hussein. Violence becomes a vital part of Iraqi political culture!

The Rise & Rule of Saddam Hussein

A Young Saddam Hussein (1937 - 2006) Born in Tikrit. Peasant family with influential army relatives. Tribal society. Joined Baath Party at 20. Aided in failed assassination of Qasim in 1959. Saddam’s identity card when he was 10 years old.

Saddam’s Early Political Career After 1963 coup, he was put in charge of the security service for the Baath party. 1979  he became president of Iraq when al-Bakr was persuaded to step down. Saddam at 17.

A Cult of Personality

A Cult of Personality 1989 Victory Arch

Saddam’s Republican Guard The elite presidential security force.

Oil Fields in Iraq

Gassing the Kurds

Ali Hasa al-Majid (“Chemical Ali”) I will kill them [the Kurds] all with chemical weapons!

A Reign of Terror: Mass Graves of Saddam’s Victims

The Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

Iraq Invades Kuwait August 2, 1990 UN Security Council Resolution 678 (authorized military force to be used against Iraq.)

“Operation Desert Storm”

President George H. W. Bush with General Schwartzkopf

Kuwait is Liberated

Allies March to Baghdad Iraqis soldiers surrender. Iraqis cheer Allied forces.

U. N. No-Fly Zones

1990s: Iraqi Targets

The Iraq War (2003-2011)

Reasons for Going to War Against Saddam (according to the U. S Reasons for Going to War Against Saddam (according to the U. S. and Britain) Saddam kicked out U.N. weapons inspectors. WMDs  Weapons of Mass Destruction. Stop Saddam before he can launch nuclear missiles against Israel, Europe, or even the United States. Saddam did not obey the No-Fly Zone limitations. He was a savage dictator.

Allied Advance on Baghdad

Coalition forces attack Baghdad “Shock & Awe!” Coalition forces attack Baghdad March 19,2003

Anti-War Protestors

The Dictator is “Toppled”

“Mission Accomplished” President George W. Bush lands on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)

Saddam Is Captured! December, 2003

The American Soldier: 2003

Former Baathists and foreign terrorists (Al-Qaida, etc.) A Growing Insurgency Former Baathists and foreign terrorists (Al-Qaida, etc.)

The Scandal at Abu Ghraib Prison April 2004

An Interim Iraqi Government is Created (June, 2004) Prime Minister Ayad Allawi

Election of 2004 (November) George W. Bush John Kerry Party Republican Home state Texas Running mate Dick Cheney Electoral vote 286 States carried 31 Popular vote 62,040,610 Percentage 50.7% Party: Democratic Home state Massachusetts Running mate John Edwards Electoral vote 251 States carried 19 + DC Popular vote 59,028,444 Percentage 48.3%

January 30, 2005 Iraq’s 1st elections Iraq's first competitive election in a half-century takes place, marking an historic breakthrough for the democratic principle in Iraq. 60 percent of eligible voters turn out, with the following ethnic breakdown: strong voter turnout among the Shiites and Kurds, who together comprise over 80 percent of the population, with a poorer turnout among the Sunni Arabs.

1/30/05 – The Vote! Courage at the Polls!!

June 7, 2006- Al-Zarqawi Killed The mastermind of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings in Iraq, is killed by an airstrike north of Baghdad. Dec. 30, 2006- Hussein Hanged Jan. 10, 2007- US Troop Surge With this deployment of more than 20,000 additional US forces, US troop levels in Iraq will exceed 160,000 in the next several months.

Oct. 2007- Troop Buildup Peaks at 170,000 Dec. 31, 2007 2007 was the deadliest year for American troops in Iraq. The 899 American troop deaths in 2007 surpassed 2004 when 850 US soldiers were killed. Mar. 24, 2008 4,000 US Troops Dead

July 16, 2008- US Troop Surge Ends The US military "surge" into Iraq that began on Jan. 10, 2007 has ended. 150,000 US troops remain, about 15,000 more than before the buildup began.

Jan. 5, 2009 US Embassy in Iraq Opens Jan. 31, 2009 Iraq Holds First Nationwide Elections Since 2005 Voters cast ballots in provincial elections that included about 400 different parties with more than 14,000 candidates seeking 440 empty seats. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party scored a sweeping victory. With a 51% voter turnout, election day was reported to be peaceful and smooth. Sunni participation increased at 40%, up from the 2% Sunni turnout due to a Sunni boycott of elections in 2005.

"...[T]onight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s Security Forces and support its government and people. That’s what we’ve done. We’ve removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We’ve closed or transferred to the Iraqis hundreds of bases. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq. This completes a transition to Iraqi responsibility for their own security. U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq’s cities last summer, and Iraqi forces have moved into the lead with considerable skill and commitment to their fellow citizens. Even as Iraq continues to suffer terrorist attacks, security incidents have been near the lowest on record since the war began. And Iraqi forces have taken the fight to al Qaeda, removing much of its leadership in Iraqi-led operations... Going forward, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a different mission: advising and assisting Iraq’s Security Forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counterterrorism missions, and protecting our civilians. Consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year. As our military draws down, our dedicated civilians -- diplomats, aid workers, and advisors -- are moving into the lead to support Iraq as it strengthens its government, resolves political disputes, resettles those displaced by war, and builds ties with the region and the world." Barack Obama, JD "Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on the End of Combat Operations in Iraq," www.whitehouse.gov, Aug. 31, 2010

Dec. 15, 2011 United States Declares Official End to War in Iraq with Final Troop Drawdown

4500+ American Casualties

30,000+ Americans Wounded

100,000+ Iraqis Dead!

? Iraqis Wounded!

ISIS

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