1. Critical Lens: Muslim fundamentalists rejected
Focus 4/7
As imperialism weakened after World War II, many countries around the world wanted self-determination. Many leaders of these countries wanted to modernize and embraced western culture. In the Middle East many of these modernizers met resistance from Muslim fundamentalists.
Point for Discussion: Name a modernizer from a Middle Eastern country and explain reforms made by this ruler.
Term to know: secular
Critical Lens: Muslim fundamentalists rejected

2. Middle East

3. Middle East
1970s – Middle East sees an increasing number of Muslims opposed to westernization and call for the application of strict Muslim principles – This is called Islamic Fundamentalism

4. Middle East
Middle East becomes important due to oil reserves and strategic location

5. Middle East
Libya – Muamar al-Qaddafi establishes government based on Islamic principles
Supports terrorism
Overthrown and executed in 2012

6. Middle East Afghanistan
From 1979 – 1989, Afghanistan fought off an invasion by the Soviet Union who was trying to support a communist government

7. Iranian Revolution Impacts of Iranian Revolution
New Iranian government is very hostile to West, especially U.S.
Government requires strict adherence to Muslim religion
Most rights taken away from women
Iranian militants seized U.S. embassy and take American hostages
Iran encourages other Muslim countries to overthrow secular governments

8. Middle East
After the Soviet’s left, an Islamic fundamentalist group known as the Taliban seizes the power and sets up a strict Islamic government

9. Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution – Shah Pahlavi is overthrown and Ayatollah Khomeini takes control forming an Islamic Republic

10. Iranian Revolution
2005 – Despite complaints by the United States, Israel, and other Western powers Iran begins an aggressive nuclear program under leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinjad

11. Middle East Saddam Hussein and Iraq 1980 - Iran-Iraq War
1990 – Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait and seizes oil fields
1991 – Persian Gulf War between U.S. and Iraq

12. Middle East
2001 – U.S. accuses Iraq and Saddam Hussein of supporting terrorist groups like al – Qaeda
Hussein also accused of torture and using poison gas against Kurds, an ethnic minority group in Iraq
2003 – United States and coalition forces invade Iraq
December 2003 – Saddam Hussein is hanged

13. Middle East Impacts of the Fall of Saddam Hussein
Conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq
Kurds Demand a Homeland
Instability in Iraq