1. Nationalism in Southwest Asia
Turkey Saudi Arabia Iran

2. Ottoman Empire Falls Ottoman Empire lost in World War I
Lost significant amount of territory in Asia
Nationalism rose in former territories
New nations emerged with growing political and economic interest

3. Turkey Becomes a Republic
After World War I all that remained of the Ottoman Empire was the land of Anatolia and the new nation became Turkey
In 1919 Greece invaded
Retaliation for years of oppression
In 1922 Mustafa Kemal was able to drive the Greeks from Turkey
The Sultan was replaced by a Republic

4. Mustafa Kemal First leader of new Turkish Republic
Known for bringing reforms to Turkey
Separated Islamic law from nation’s laws
Abolished religious courts
New legal system based on European laws
Women gained the right to vote and hold public office
Government funded industrialization programs
Nicknamed Ataturk- “Father of the Turks”

5. Persia Becomes Iran
British attempted to take over Persia, sparking a nationalist revolt
1925 the ruling shah was put out of power
Reza Shah Pahlavi attempted to modernize the new country of Iran
Built public schools
Built roads and railroads
Promoted industrial growth and women’s rights

6. Saudi Arabia 1932 Arabia became unified under one powerful family
New nation held close to Islamic law
Modernization was limited

7. Discovery of Oil Industrialized nations needed petroleum
Exploration in Middle East found 2/3 of the world’s oil
Foreign investment pumped into region