iraq Flashcards
mainly
Shiite but Sunni’s dominated government
1968
Baathist party gain power
during the 70s
Saddam Hussein began to exercise control
became president in 1979
after WW1
Britain controlled Iraq as a mandate
granted independence
in 1932
PM in 1938
was pro-Western - Nuri Al-Said
problems post WW1
the vast majority of the country were landless peasants and were ruled by a small number of wealthy landowners - caused widespread discontent
1958
army coup carried out - overthrew the monarchy and established a republic
the new gov post 1958
took Iraq out of the Baghdad pact and persuaded Britain to withdraw its troops
also secured more control over oil supplies
in 1960s
call for Arab unity won much support in Iraq
lots of support for UAR but the military gov resisted pressure to join
1972
Iraq nationalised oil industry
Baathist achievements in 70s
- electricity extended to countryside and roads and schools were built
- aim of education - to promote Arab unity
repressions and executions under Saddam
death penalty for concealing membership to different political parties
tried and executed opposition to Baathist party, as well as those who left the party
Saddam’s treatment of Kurds
1988 - Iraqi planes bombed Kurdish town of Halabja with chemical weapons, 5000 were killed immediately and 12,000 later
national hero
Saddam was portrayed as a national hero, dedicated to his people
Israel
Saddam produced anti-Israel propaganda
after the 1979 Treaty of Washington, he accused Egypt of betraying the Arab cause
Saddam’s treatment of Shiites
1980-1 - 200,000 were deported to Iran
1980 declared war
Saddam expected Iran to immediately splinter, but instead, his invasion cemented Khomeini’s rule as his people rallied behind him
1980 war
Iraqi’s were overstretched and in 1982 were forced into strategic defence
Iran attacked Iraq’s oil shipping
causing shortages and many of the world’s powers to back Iraq
1988
Iran had exhausted itself and lacked the resources to continue
UN proposed a ceasefire in July 1988
stalemate
but both Iran and Iraq considered themselves the victor
over a million deaths and were heavily in debt
Gulf war
Saddam invaded Kuwait in April 1990 and cited historical claims to the land
UN response to Iraq’s invasion 1990
placed sanctions on Iraq
troops on SA border 1990
raised concerns for the close US ally - USand other nations began a military build up in SA - operation Desert Shielf
after peace in 1991
US encouraged Shiites and Kurds to rise up and initiate an internal regime change - Saddam stomped it out
although his regional power had been curbed, his internal reign of terror would continue
9/11
Saddam applauded it as he saw it as psychological damage to his enemies
motivations for the Iran-Iraq war
Saddam feared the spread of Iran’s Islamic revolution
he also wanted to gain territory, especially the Shatt-al-Arab waterway, which would give him better access tot the Gulf
Arab states supported Iraq 1980-88
feared Islamic revoltuion, as an Iranian victory could stir up the Shiite minorities in their own countries
West supported Iraq 1980-88
because they too opposed Iran’s new regime
