Lecture #2 Europeans and Modernity

Europeans Drew the Boundary Lines of the Middle East to Their Own Advantage Divide and Rule Kurds into 5 separate countries Sunni and Shia Crammed Together

In World War II, Europeans Lost Control of the Middle East France was crushed by Germany. England was almost crushed. Arabs cheered Nazis –The enemy of my enemy is my friend. –Early roots of Arab anti-Semitism –Some political parties in the Arab world were modeled on the Nazis

European Nations Supported a State for the Jews Israel Arabs saw this as lingering European Imperialism Attacked the Jewish state –Jews managed to win –Humiliation for the Arabs

Middle East Caught in the Middle of the Cold War To be Communist or Capitalist? Some Argue Neither –Return to traditional ways of Islam

To Modernize or Not? What is the deal with freedom for women, technology, and secular government? –Modern?  Good! –Western?  Bad! Turkey, for example, set up a secular government, wore Western clothing, and the economy did well. –Are they sell outs?

The Middle East is Cursed by Oil Cursed? It is worth trillions of dollars! The problem? A military government takes over. It controls the oil. It sells it to foreigners. It doesn’t collect taxes, which means it doesn’t need to listen to its people. Oil wealth goes to violent elite. If you are a young Saudi, you are either one of the 5% who are super-rich and travel to Europe to party like a prince (or like Prince, himself) or you are one of the 95% who is poor and has no future (no jobs, etc.) (kinda like no starring role in Purple Rain)

Wealthy Middle Eastern Governments Often Use Religion as a Way to Control Their Populations God wants you to be super rich and me to have nothing? Yeah. He’s funny like that.

End of Day #2