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The Middle East: Iraq Objective: To recognize and discuss the history, people, culture, and current day situation of Iraq.

Part I History:

Early Civilizations of Mesopotamia 3000 BC Ancient Sumerians settle in Southern Mesopotamia Ancient Sumerians built the world’s 1 st cities.

The Persian, Hellenistic & Classical Periods: 500 BC The Persian Empire conquered Mesopotamia The Empire later became part of the famous Alexander the Greats’ large Empire Arabs conquer Mesopotamia People begin to convert to Islam 600 A.D.

Mesopotamia becomes part of the Ottoman Empire The Post- Classical Period & the 20 th c.: 1500 AD1921 After WWI, Great Britain takes over the region- mandates British put King Feisal- Son of ruler of Mecca (an outsider) in power

The 20 th c. Iraq: Socialist Ba’ath Party takes power Ba’ath leader Saddam Hussein becomes the President of Iraq British installed monarchy overthrown & internal revolts 1958

Iraq-Iran War Iraq invades Iran under Hussein’s leadership Iran fights back Iraq-Iran War damages both economies and many killed = disaster

Saddam in Power: 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait Worries world because don’t want Iraq to have their oil resources Increased worry about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction- biological/ chemical Persian Gulf War- lasts 6 weeks An alliances of countries led by US forces Iraqis out of Kuwait Saddam refuses to accept UN Peace terms UN places an embargo (trade limit) on Iraq ; their economy suffers as a result 1991

Further Rebellions Saddam refuses to cooperate with UN after asked to stop all military activity & ALLOW inspectors into country

20 th c. Iraq 2001 Sept terrorist attacks on US Increase tension between US and Iraq (US thinks he’s related in some way) Bush orders to attack Iraqi targets and destroy weapons of Mass destruction Few months later Saddam found hiding in an underground hole in Iraq (is executed in 2006 for “crimes against humanity” ?v=f_A77N5WKWM

Part II People & Culture:

Iraq= size of Cali (26 million pple) Most pple. live in cities Ethnic Groups: – Most pple belong to two major groups: Arabs Kurds – Arabs are the largest group & make up more than 75% of the pop. – Speak country’s official lang. – Kurds- smaller groups & minority % of pop. Mostly farmers & live in Northern Iraq- speak Kurdish Religion: All Iraqis both Arab & Kurdish are Muslim- within Iraq have two branches: Sunni- 35% of population & live in North Shia/ Shiite – 60% live in South

Part III Iraq Today:

Rebuilding Baghdad: Capital of Baghdad was badly damaged in recent war 6 million pple suffered from lack of electricity & running water (US millions & private contractors help restore powers) Helped rebuild homes, businesses & schools Government & Economy: Jan 2005 Iraqis participate in democracy for the 1 st time ever Millions went to the polls to elect members to Natl. Assembly Build new govt. & try to recover economy In 1970s Iraq was world’s 2 nd largest exporter (have oil as resources) also wide plains and fertile soil- grow barley, cotton, rice Decades of harsh govt & wars = Future peace? Rebuilding schools, hospitals, roads, and other improvements may take years