19 First Gulf War Flashcards
(45 cards)
What happened on Aug. 2 1990?
Iraq invaded Kuwait.
Was Kuwait expecting this?
No, despite Iraq’s warnings.
How long did it take to complete the invasion?
2 days
What was Hussein’s motivation?
To establish hegemony over the region.
hegemony = dominance
What had Iraq and Kuwait been arguing about for a long time?
Their border.
What did Hussein call Kuwait?
The 19th province of Iraq
How long had Iraq been independent of the Ottoman Empire?
Since 1932, from Britain.
When did Kuwait gain its independence?
1961, from Britain.
What was Iraq and Kuwait’s relationship during the Iran-raq war?
They were close.
Kuwait provided financial support
What happened after the end of the war?
Kuwait wanted to be paid back.
Did they pay?
No, the war devastated their economy and they needed more money.
What did he accuse Kuwait of?
Of stealing their oil through slant drilling.
What would invading Kuwait do?
The profits from Kuwait’s oil fields could fix Iraq’s economic ruin.
What did Kuwait reply?
They refused to forgive the loans.
What did Hussein do one week before the invasion?
Met with US diplomat April Glaspie.
What was going on at that time?
100,000 Iraqi troops were at the Kuwait border.
What did Glaspie tell Saddam Hussein?
The US had no interest in the border dispute.
John Kelly also told Congress we had no commitment to Kuwait.
Years later, what did Glaspie say?
That the US considered an invasion by Iraq as “inconceivable”.
Who condemned Iraq?
Everyone, including both the US and Russia.
Which was the only country not to condemn?
Yemen
What was the response?
Saudi threw all Yemen workers out of the country.
Which Arab countries joined the US-led coalition?
What was the most effective act of the coalition?
Embargo against Iraqi oil, destroying their economy.
Who felt most threatened by Iraq?
Saudi Arabia.
They allowed foreign troops to base there.
