History of Iraq

History Modern Iraq = ancient Mesopotamia—area between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Shared History with Iran through British Protectorate time frame.

Ruled by the Turks under the Ottoman Empire (1534-1917) Ottoman Empire collapsed after WWI (1917) Came under British rule (protectorate) after WWI

Post WW I British designated as a kingdom under King Faisal Husayn British mandate ended in 1932 Monarchy overthrown in 1958 Ba’ath Party took power in 1963 Saddam Hussein was the secretary general of the Ba’ath

Post WW II 1979 Saddam wins “elections” and takes power

Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988 Refer to notes on Iran. Iraq objected the Islamist propaganda transmitted from Iran Fear there could be a revolution among the Shi'ites in the southern Iraq.

Iraq was left with serious debts to its former Arab backers includes fourteen billion US dollars loaned by Kuwait, a debt which contributed to Saddam's 1990 decision to invade Kuwait.

Why Iraq Invaded Kuwait--1990 Key Issues: Amount of coastline that Iraq was granted by the British (Sir Percy Cox) on the Persian Gulf: Kuwait given 310 miles while Iraq only 36 miles.

Why Iraq Invaded Kuwait Accused Kuwait of violating its “territorial integrity”. Convinced that there was a plot to invade Iraq.

Why Iraq Invaded Kuwait Rumalia Oil Field Rich 50 mile long oilfield that runs beneath the Iraq-Kuwait border 90% of the field is under Iraqi land Iraq accused Kuwait of pumping over $10 billion of oil

Why Iraq Invaded Kuwait Significance: Iraq had serious debt after the Iran/Iraq war and much was owed to Kuwait Known as the first Gulf War or Desert Storm

Consequences to Iraq Kuwait undermined Iraq’s ability to repay debts: Stole oil flooded oil market with cheap oil and depressed price of oil on open market.

Consequences to Iraq Saddam compared the drop of oil prices ($1/barrel = $1 Billion per year to Iraq) to an “act of war.”

International Involvement Coalition force of 34 nations led by the US Economic Sanctions imposed by the UN Drove Iraq out of Kuwait Fighting remained in Iraq, Kuwait, and the Saudi Border

DuringPersian Gulf War Saddam became well-known for distinctive uniform and beret

Ethnic Diversity in Iraq

Current Gulf War of 2003 After first Gulf War, UN commission set up to monitor Iraq’s compliance w/restrictions on weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles. Considered a “disarmament crisis”

Current Gulf War Teams expelled several times as Iraq accused the US as using them for espionage (later admitted true) US, Great Britain, and several other minor participants invaded Iraq in March, 2003.

Current Gulf War Known as “Operation Iraqi Freedom” Searching for alleged “weapons of mass destruction.” Ongoing War on Terrorism—possible link to Al-Qaida

Results Capture, trial and subsequent execution of Saddam Hussein Installation of temporary government and subsequent elections for President, Parliament No actual WMD found No concrete ties to Al-Qaida

Saddam Hussein with a long beard shortly after capture.

Ba’ath Party Headquarters

Iraq/Kuwait Coastline