1. Building modern nations in the Middle East
Turkey, Egypt and Iran

3. Know the difference!
Arabic = A culture predominantly in the Middle East
Islam = A worldwide religion with followers in all countries (called Muslims)
They are NOT THE SAME!!!!

4. BIG ideas
Since 1945 the Middle East has been an area with extreme tension and change
Many Muslims have urged a return to Islamic government and law
Oil in the region has created conflict between Middle Eastern countries
Dependence on oil has led other countries to get involved with conflicts in the Middle East

5. Turkey & Kemal Ataturk
During WWI the Ottoman Empire collapsed and the nation of Turkey emerged
Kemal Ataturk used nationalism to unite the Turkish people
His goals were to modernize and westernize Turkey

7. During the Cold War, Turkey joined NATO and built a secular (non-religious) republican government
Turkish nationalism has led to Turkey suppressing minorities in their country
Kurds (an ethnic group) in Turkey were forbidden to speak or write in their own language

8. Egypt & Gamal Abdel Nasser
Egypt was controlled by foreign powers until 1956 when Gamal Abdel Nasser emerged
Nasser used nationalism to modernize the country Egypt
Took control of the Suez Canal
Created the idea of Pan-Arabism

9. "If Abdel Nasser dies. Each of you is Gamal Abdel Nasser
"If Abdel Nasser dies... Each of you is Gamal Abdel Nasser... Gamal Abdel Nasser is of you and from you and he is willing to sacrifice his life for the nation."

10. Iran & Ayatollah Khomeini
Large oil fields were discovered in Iran in the 1940s, leading to Iran being supported by the United States and western nations
In 1945, the leader of Iran, known as the shah, was backed by western powers but faced problems at home

14. When the shah tried to eliminate Islamic law from Iran, millions of Iranians supported Islamic fundamentalist leaders, such as Ayatollah Khomeini
The Ayatollah led an Islamic revolution, kicked the shah out of Iran, and got rid of all western ideas in the country
Today, Iran works to modernize its country without westernizing it

15. Iran today - reading How has oil influenced Iran in the modern world?
Why was there an Islamic revolution in Iran? How did it change the country?
What are some criticisms of Iran’s revolution and current government?
Why may have Iran chose to accelerate their nuclear program and defense system?
How has Iran’s government dealt with protesters who felt unhappy w/election results?

16. 6. Some say western nations should increase their support of the Iranian people who have had their human rights limited by Iran’s government; what are the pros and cons of this argument?