Today’s Warm-Up  Think back to our unit covering World War I. What do you recall about the Ottoman Empire and the “Sick Man of Europe”?  Write down today’s LEQ – (we’re starting with notes) How and why has the Middle East evolved through time?

Where Continents Meet  The Middle East is where Africa, Asia & Europe meet.

Shifting Boundaries  There are no natural borders that distinguish the boundaries of the Middle East.  Egypt, Iran, Sudan & Turkey are disputed parts of the region.

The Middle East  In fact, the boundaries of the Middle East are political, and they keep shifting overtime.  From 1600 to today, the map of the Middle East has changed greatly.

1600

1880

1920

Current

Today’s LEQ: How and why has the Middle East evolved through time?

Prior to World War I  Ottoman Empire was dominant ruling power from 1299 to  Empire struggled to hold onto territory as WWI approached.  Many regions were influenced by nationalism & wanted independence.

During World War I  Ottoman Empire became an ally of Germany.  When Germany surrendered, so did Ottoman Empire.

Post World War I  Sykes-Picot Agreement- Secret deal made between Britain & France  carved Middle East into spheres of influence.

Post World War I  In 1920, League of Nations established a mandate system of French & British control for 25 years.

During World War II  Many nations saw the opportunity to gain independence.  Iran  Lebanon  Syria  Jordan  Egypt & Iraq

Post World War II  Creation of Israel Holocaust led to pressure to create a Jewish State  November 29, 1947, United Nations changed the region known as Palestine to Israel.

Israel  All surrounding Arab States declared war on Israel in  Once Arab- Israeli War was won by Israel, Israel took 70% of Palestine. (50% more than UN intended)

Cold War  Middle East became a strategic area of interest because of its oil reserves.

Cold War Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support Communism. Opposing side was led by Osama Bin Laden & supported by US. In 1989, Soviets finally withdrew from Afghanistan.

Iraq-Iran War  Iraq (Saddam Hussein) invaded Iran in  Iran was an enemy of US b/c of hostage crisis. So US supported Iraq.  Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran.  Ended in a ceasefire in 1988.

1 st Persian Gulf War  On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein, ordered his army to invade Kuwait.  At the time, Kuwait produced over 10% of the world's oil.

1 st Persian Gulf War  United Nations/US intervened.  The war only lasted from Jan to Feb of  Retreating Iraqi’s set fire to oil wells in Kuwait.

Current War  Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March 2003  Spread to Afghanistan  To date, 4,483 American soldier deaths & 33,183 wounded.