1. SOUTH WEST ASIA

2. SOUTH WESTASIA

3. WHY DO WE CALL IT MIDDLE EAST?
Proximity to the trade center of the “Old World” – Mediterranean Sea
Also said to be in relationship to Western Europe. China is in the Far East and areas adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea are the Near East
The Persian Gulf is the Middle East

4. NO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
WHY ?

5. Reason One I. Limited Water Major Rivers
Tigris River and Euphrates River
together form “Mesopotamia” – meaning land between rivers
Because of annual flooding this area has rich farm land which is why it is also know as the “Fertile Crescent.”
This is believed to be the location of the first great civilization – The Babylonians
Mesopotamia
Jordan
Nile

6. Limited Water Continue
Jordan River
Water supply for western part of the region and a natural boundary between the Jewish world and the Muslim world.

7. Limited Water Continue
Desalination – Process of converting salty sea water into drinkable fresh water

8. Reason #2
II. OIL
Persian Gulf region produces more oil than any other location on earth
The Soviet Union tried to capture oil fields in 1945
The U.S. have been protecting oil interest for many years
What would happen if the Soviet gained control of the Persian Gulf oil?

9. OIL - continues
O.P.E.C – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Group of oil producing countries that agree on the prices they will sale their oil.
Why is that a problem?

10. Oil - continue Sherman Antitrust Act – it is a Monopoly
The United States can not join O.P.E.C.
Why?
Sherman Antitrust Act – it is a Monopoly

11. Ishmael – First born from wife Ahaggar
REASON #3 RELIGION
GOD
Religion that worships only ONE God is called?
Monotheism
Isaac - Second born from wife Sarah
Abraham
Ishmael – First born from wife Ahaggar
Jacob – name was changed to ISRAEL
ARAB NATIONS
12 sons (TRIBES) of ISRAEL
Through King David a savior (Messiah)
JESUS
Prophet Muhammad
JUDAISM B.C.
CHRISTIANITY 33 A.D.
ISLAM 610 A.D
Moses – wrote the Torah
Bible
Koran (Qur’an)

12. NO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST; REASON #4 Land Disputes; Jerusalem
Muslim Mosque
Dome of the Rock
Christian Church
Jewish West Wall or Wailing Wall
Jews most holy city - Salomon's temple
Christian’s holy city - Christ was killed outside its walls
Islam’s third most holy city- Mohammad was taken there by Angel Gabriel. Mecca is its most holy city. Mohammad was born there.

13. ISRAEL; Land Disputes
About 1000 B.C. Hebrew/Jewish people established homeland.
Diaspora – removal of Jews from this land
587 B.C. First Diaspora (removed by Babylon) returned in 538 B.C.
132 A.D. Second Diaspora – (removed by Romans)
Palestinians/Ottoman move in after Rome falls 300 A.D.
600 A.D. Islam is introduced
Christian conquest
Israel was reestablished after Holocaust in 1948 and Jews returned to land.
Israel gain land in 1967.