01. Background Flashcards
What is the Persian Gulf?
The sea between Iran and the Arabian peninsula
Approximately what proportion of the world’s known oil reserves are in the Gulf region?
Nearly two-thirds (2/3)
Why did these states effectively control the economic well-being of the industrialised nations?
Oil was critical to the economies of the industrialised nations
What sort of things was oil used for in the industrialised economies? (3)
- Transport
- Industry
- Domestic usage (cars etc.)
As a result of their dependency on oil, what did the industrialised nations seek in the Gulf?
They sought to promote peace and stability
Which nations/areas counted as ‘industrialised’ during this period?
Western Europe America Japan South Africa (and some others)
Why did events in the Gulf matter so much to industrialised nations?
They tended to cause economic and political crises in the oil-consuming countries
During this period, what sort of events were common in the Gulf region? (3)
- Wars
- Revolutions
- Regime changes
Who was the leader of Iran from 1979 onwards?
Ayatollah Khomeini
What is an ayatollah?
A high-ranking religious leader in Shiite Islam
Which religion do most people in the region follow?
Islam
What are the two main types of Muslims?
Shia and Sunni
How well do the two branches (Sunni and Shia) of Islam coexist?
Not well at all. The gap between the two branches of Islam is significant and has been a major source of conflict over the years.
What are the Gulf countries dependent on for their wealth?
Oil - many are almost entirely dependent on it for their wealth
Which nation near the Gulf region is a source of tension for all the Arab states?
Israel
