The Gulf Flashcards
Why was Israel a source of tension in the gulf
The Jewish state was created in 1948 and carved out of land inhabited by Arabs. Its creation was opposed by all Arab states
5 reasons for tension in the gulf
- Religion: Sunni vs Shia
- oil
- individuals such as sassan hussein and ayatollah Khomeini
- national identity
- Israel
Baath party facts
- established in Syria in 1950s, its influence spread to several Arab countries including Iraq
- Bath means renaissance, rebirth if Arab powers
- called for unity amongst arabs in ME
- were supported in Iraq Bcos they demanded a stand against foreign interference there
Geography of Iraq in 1900
3 provinces of the Turkish empire
Which treaty combined the Turkish provinces
Treaty of Sevres
Meant Brit cod get oil
Ba’ath means ? The ? Of ?
Renaissance
The rebirth of Arab power
Why were the Ba’ath party supported in Iraq
Bcos they demanded a stand against foreign interference
What did the t of Sevres change in Iraq ? Why’d they do it ?
In 1900 Iraq was 3 provinces of the Turkish empire and the t combined them as a LoN mandate in order for Brit to get more oil
What happened October 1920 after the t of Sevres ? Aftermath,
Uprising against British, but they had 100,000 troops there and crushed uprising.
but this aroused more opposition and in 1921 decided they needed an endorsed king there
Who was Faisal ?
Member of leading family in the Middle East who was invited by British to b king and head of gov
Under Faisal what did Britain keep?
Kept control of Iraq Foreign Policy and kept 2 airbases
Most importantly controlled ALL oil through Iraqi petroleum company which was ran by brits
How long did the monarchy of Faisal last in Iraq?
35 years
What good things happened under Faisals 35 years reign in Iraq
Considerable economic development
Education improved
Literacy levels rose
What did people oppose about the monarch?
Inequality, vast majority of population poor with few landowners who dominated
Britain supported Israel
Let Britain control oil prices and production and profits were split between brit and Iraqi gov
When did Iraq become a republic?
1958
The monarchy was overthrown
Are Baathists mostly Sunni or Shiite ?
Sunni
Did Sunni or shiites makes up the majority of the population in Iraq ?
Shiites
Coup by army officers made republic run by Ba’ath party in what year?
1968
Who was involved in the overthrow of the pro-British monarchy and had a key role in the coup of 1968?
Saddddaaammmm
Hussein
What was saddam made ?
Vice President
Who was saddam a big admirer of ?? Look at his moustache
THAT’s RIGHR WE’RE TALKING JOSEPH STALIN
What did saddam do to build a strong power base ?
- made sure he has control of key positions in Ba’ath party
- controlled most important departments in gov and army
- 1963 became head of Iraqi intelligence services
- VP after coup in ‘68
Who did saddam put in positions of power ?
- in Iraq family and tribal connections were v important
- saddam placed fam and friends In positions in power and especially in army
How did saddam keep military commanders on his side ?
By spending lots in defence
What did the Iraq government do under saddam
Nationalised.
Took complete control of the Iraqi oil industry
In 1972 what did saddam do with the influx of money from oil
He built up education health and welfare services
Why did saddam get an award from the UN ?
For creating the most modern public health system in the Middle East
In 1973 what did Iraq start doing less of
Reduced oil sales to western countries to punish the west for supporting Israel in a war against Egypt and Syria
What was the effect of saddam stopping sales to west
Oil prices went up by 400%
Iraqs oil income rose from 575 mill in ‘72 to 26,500 mill in ‘80
In dollars
Oil income from from how much in ‘72 to how much ‘80
575 -> 26,500 dollars
As country became richer what did saddam do
Electricity extended to country side
Agriculture mechanised
Roads bridges hospitals schools dams built
Iraqis became more educated
Healthcare improved
Urban middle class of lawyers businessman gov officials emerged
How did saddam and the baathists increase their POWER
Trade unions, schools and even sports clubs came U see state control and membership of the Ba’ath party decided who was put in gov
How did saddam describe the ideal student
One who cld “stand in the sun holding his weapon day and night without flinching”
In 1976 saddam was made a WHAT in the army?
A general
How come by ‘76 saddam was the effective leader of Iraq
President old and increasingly frail
How did saddam keep army in control
Regular indoctrination through rotating officers so no one could build up oppositions
Also he executed or impronsoned those he suspected of disloyalty
+ he spent loads on them
Secret police were under saddams control came to dominate both the ?
Army and the Ba’ath party
Most of saddams secret police recruits came from?
Rural tribal areas of Sunni dominated region in north and the west of Baghdad
Many came from Saddams own tribe
When did saddam force the ill president to step down?
1979
Saddam then became. President
Having become president in 1979 how long did saddams rule last
25 years
How did saddam rule Iraq?
Terror
Indoctrination
Social and infrastructural improvements
What did saddam do when he came to power in 1979
He carried out brutal purge of anyone who might be a threat to him, 500 members of his own part executed and many more arrested or fled county
What were the show trails
He televised trial of number of opponents, 21 of whom were executed
Give an example of saddams mad violence as a defence
Attempt to assassinate him in village of Dujail in 1982
In retaliation he often security forces to kill nearly 150 villagers
Wht did saddam do that was really cult like and narcissistic
Statues of him everywhere
Portraits hung of him in all public buildings
Birthday made a national holiday
When a referendum was held on his presidency what percent of Iraquis voted for him
99%
The Kurds formed what percent of the Iraqi population
20%
The Kurds are Muslim but they aren’t ? And speak a different language
Arab
When did conflict between Iraqis and Kurds begin
1921 from when the state of Iraq was created
Under the rule of saddam there were mass expulsions
Of Kurds who’d previously done well
Iraq population made up of 3 main groups
Shia / Shiite muslims (majority)
Sunni muslims
Kurds
Kurdish leaders wanted to achieve a desperate homeland in Kurdistan but what did saddam want?
Opposite
He was determined to extend his governments control over the Kurdish north
What years did saddams Forbes attack the Kurds
1974 1975
When saddam attack Kurds who did Kurds get support from?
IRAN !!
What happened in 1988 that saddam was later put on trial for and executed
In march 1988 saddam bombarded Kurdish town Halabaja using chemical weapons
When did Saddan end the “ Kurdish problem “ and what happened
180,000 killed
100,000 fled to turkey
Saddams cousin “chemical Ali” put in charge
What was saddams cousin nicknamed
Chemical Ali
Kurds wanted ?
Shiites wanted ?
Separatism
Inclusion
What happened in Iran in 1979 that made saddam suspicious? What’d he do
Islamic rev took place IN Shiite Iran and in 1980-81 saddam deported 200,000 Shiites there as their “loyalty was not proven” and handed their business to gov supporters
What improved for Iraqis
Improved road transport Water supplies Access to uni Free quality health care Painters musicians flourished thanks to gov subsidies
Saddam made his ministers lose ? To set an example
Weight
At start of 20th century Iran ruled by a ? But was an ? Country
À shah
But it was independent
Who controlled Irans oil fields ?
British company called Anglo-Iranian Oil
When did more Iranians demand that the gov take control of oil and demands Art least half
After ww2
Having gained popular support which Iranian nationalist was made prime minister by the shah
MOHAMMED MOSSADEQ
When was Mohammed mossadeq made pm
1951
What did parliament do after mossadeq bcame PM
Passed law to nationalise oil industry which thriller Iranians
What did Britain do in retaliation to Iran passing law to nationalise oil
Withdrew work force and refused to allow their technicians to work the the new Iranian National Oil Conpany
Also persuaded west not to buy their oil and navy imposed blockade on irans ports! Stopping all boats from entering or leaving
How did Britain persuade USA to help them overthrow mossadeq?
Played on their fear of communism cos it was Cold War and Iran had a border along Soviet Union cos what if the commies got their oil!
Pressure from Britain and USA made shah
Dismiss mossadeq put him on trial imprison him
Iranian gov shut down
Mossadeq replaced with pro western prime minister
What happened following the shut down of mossadeq ?
Group of western oil companies agreed with shah to restart production for 40% of profits
Shahs gov signed treaty with USA in 1955 and year later joined turkey Britain iraq in anti sov alliance
Iran grew rich cos started gaining from oil
What good reforms did the shah make having dismissed mossadeq
Have some of irans land of rich to poorer farmers
Gave women the vote increased number of skls raised literacy rates BUT still big contrast between rich elite and poor masses
Brief consequences of 1953 coup in Iran
Increased security of the wests oil supply
Made sov interference less likely
Overturned popular democratic government gave westerners 40% of profits
Iran became ally of west
In the 1979s who opposed the shah v
Opposition led by mullahs ( Muslim religious leaders) who crtisised the wealth and corruption of shah
In 1971 shah had huge celebration of what and spent how much
He claimed it was the 2500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy but few believed him
It cost $330 million
Where did mullahs criticise shah
At mosque especially at weekly Friday prayers
Whhat relationship of the shar did people dislike
That with the non Muslim west
Many saw the shah as a pawn in whose hands ?
Americas !
MullAhs encouraged steeet demonstrations which targeted
Banks Bcos of close ties to western companies
Cinemas cos foreign sexual films seen as unIslamic
Which leading Muslim scholar was leader of opposition to the Shah
Ayatollah Khomeini