the Gulf War Flashcards
Why is oil important
All the states around the Gulf produce oil.
Two-thirds of the worlds known oil reserves come from the Gulf region.
The countries are almost totally dependable on the oil for their wealth.
Countries in the West and Far East are highly dependant on oil imports from the Gulf.
Without that oil, many transport systems and manufacturing industries would break down.
What played a big role in the Iran Iraq war of 1980-1988 and was the central cause of the gulf war in 1991
control of oil supplies
Israel
Not far from the Gulf is the state of Israel – the Jewish state created in 1948 and carved out of land inhabited by Arabs.
The creation of the state of Israel was opposed by all Arab states, including those in the Gulf, and Israel has been a source of tension ever since.
religion in the gulf
The vast majority of the people in this area are Muslims. However there is a huge split. between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Disagreements between these two branches of Islam has been a major cause of conflict throughout this period.
Ancient Iraq
Iraq lies in the ancient lands of Mesopotamia which is one of the words oldest civilisations.
The first cities were built here, with the most famous being Baghdad.
Many centuries later, in the 7th century AD, the land of Iraq was invaded by the Arabs and its people adopted the language (Arabic) and the religion (Islam) of the invaders.
the British mandate in iraq
By 1900, the area that is now Iraq was actually 3 provinces of the Turkish Empire.
The Turkish Empire was broken up after WWI.
Under the Treaty of Serves the 3 provinces were run by the British, who were keen to exploit Iraq’s rich oil reserves.
This was a bitter blow for Iraqi nationalists who wanted independence for Iraq.
What happened in 1920 regarding the British mandate
In 1920 they rebelled against British rule.
The British crushed the uprising but, in doing so, they aroused even more bitterness.
who was King Faisal
The British soon realised that they could not run the country on their own.
The needed collaborators: Iraqis were willing to run the country in partnership with them.
So in 1921, they invited Faisal, member of a leading Arab family in the Middle East, to become King of Iraq and head a new government
How did the British control iraq
The British:
Kept control of Iraq’s foreign policy and kept airbases (near Basra and Baghdad)
Controlled oil through the British-owned Iraqi Petroleum Company.
discontent in Iraq
Inequality
Israel
Control of oil
Inequality: the country was dominated by a small number of big landowners while the vast majority of the population was very poor.
Israel: Britain supported the new Jewish state of Israel in 1948 against the opposition of the Arab states.
Control of oil: in 1952, the Iraqi Petroleum Company agreed to share its profits equally with the Iraqi Government. However, the company still controlled production and prices
How many years did King Faisal rule
35 years
When was King Faisal overthrown
The monarchy was overthrown in 1958 and Iraq became a republic.
The Baathists and Shiites muslims
After another coup by army officers in 1968, the republic was ruled by the Baath Party.
Most Baathists were Sunni Muslims.
The Sunni’s had been the dominant group in Iraq ever since the state of Iraq was set up in 1921, although the Shiites formed the majority of the population.
Many Shiites were now brought into the new government in a show of unity.
Who was one of the Baathists who had played a key role in the 1958 revolution and the 1968 take-over
Saddam Hussein.
How was Saddam Hussein able to rise to power
He made sure he had control of key positions within the ruling Baath Party and he controlled the most important departments in the government and army.
Saddam placed family and friends in positions of power.
The other main source of power in Iraq was the army.
Saddam placed friends and allies in important positions here, too.
He also kept the military commanders happy by spending on defence.
what did the Iraq government do in 1972
The Iraq government nationalised, and took complete control of, the Iraqi oil industry, despite opposition from the British.
what did Saddam use Iraq’s oil wealth to do
Saddam used Iraq’s oil wealth to build up education, health and welfare services that were among the best in the Arab world.
Who did the Iraqis join in 1973
And why
they joined the other Arab oil-producing states in reducing oil production and sales to Western countries.
This was done to punish the West, for supporting Israel in a war against the Arab states of Egypt and Syria.
How did Iraq increase the economy
However, it also had the effect of driving up oil prices by 400%.
Iraq’s income from oil rose from $575 million in 1972 o $26.5 billion in 1980.
How did Saddam improve the economy
Extending electricity to the countryside
Increasing mechanised agriculture
Building roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and dams
The Iraqis became more educated and healthcare improved.
How did the Baathists take over society
Saddam and the Baathists became much more powerful, extending their control over the Iraqi government and society.
Trade unions, schools and even sports teams came under state control.
Membership of the Baath Party was essential to be appointed to positions in the government.
When the Iranians began to attack the Kuwaiti’s ships in retaliation for Kuwait’s support for Iraq, the Soviet Union offered to help the Kuwaitis.
The USA swiftly stepped in to provide protection for Kuwaiti ships, both to pre-empt further Soviet aid and to maintain its influence with the oil-rich Gulf states.
When the Iranians cut off Iraq’s access to the Gulf through the Shatt al-Arab waterway, the USA provided protection for Iraqi shipping and destroyed much of the Iranian navy.
What was the main aim of education
The main aim of education was to promote Arab unity and ‘love of order’ and to reject Western influences.
when was Saddam made an army general
1976
How did Saddam take over the president
The President became increasingly frail which allowed Saddam to become the “effective leader” of Iraq.
Saddam extended government control over the army and the secret police.
repression in Iraq 1979
There were increasing reports of torture and rape of those held in prison.
The secret police, under Saddam’s control, came to dominate both the army and the Baath Party.
Most of its recruits came from rural, tribal areas in the Sunni-dominated region to the north and west of Baghdad and many were from Saddam’s own tribe.
Saddam forced the ailing President to resign and he formally became the President of Iraq in 1979.
How did Saddam keep the military happy
High military spending kept the armed forces happy, but they were also kept under control by regular indoctrination and by the imprisonment and execution of those suspected of disloyalty.
how long did Saddam Hussein stay in power
25 years, despite several plots against him and losing two wars
What was the stick and the carrot
the stick of terror and indoctrination and the
carrot of social and infastructural improvements
the Saddam purge of 1979
He carried out a brutal purge in 1979 of anyone who may have been a threat.
Around 500 members of his own party were executed.
Many more were arrested or fled the country.
what were show trial
Saddam was an admirer of Stalin’s use of terror to enforce submission.
Saddam’s presidency started with the televised trial of a number of opponents.
21 were later executed.
There had always been repression, but Saddam raised the level, terrorising how own party as well as opponents.
Saddam’s retaliation to disloyalty
Baath Party members faced the death penalty for joining another party.
There were many attempts to overthrow Saddam and they were met with overwhelming violence.
After an attempt to assassinate him in the village of Dujail to the north of Baghdad in 1982, he ordered his security forces to kill nearly 150 villagers in retaliation.
The cult of leadership
Saddam became more aggressive towards Israel.
He condemned Egypt for making a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
At home, Saddam was glorified by the media, who portrayed him as the leader and protector of the Arab world as well as his own people.
There were statues of him everywhere, his portraits hung in all public buildings and his birthday was made a national holiday.
When a referendum was held on his presidency, 99% of Iraqis voted in support.
The main groups living in Iraq
Iraq’s population was made up of 3 main groups…
Shia Muslims (the majority)
Sunni Muslims
Kurds
the Kurdish conflict in the Middle East
However, many of the Kurds were determined to achieve a separate homeland, Kurdistan.
Saddam wanted the opposite.
He was determined to extend his Government’s control over the Kurdish north
In 1974-75, his forces attacked the Kurds.
Many of their leaders were executed or driven into exile and the Kurds lost much of their self-government.
The Kurds stood little chance, but did receive some help from Iran.
Iranian help increased when Iran and Iraq went to war in 1980.
As a result the Kurds gained greater control of Kurdish northern Iraq.
Saddam saw this as a betrayal.
In March 1988 Saddam’s planes bombarded the Kurdish town of Halabja using chemical weapons.
This was one of the episodes for which Saddam Hussein was later put on trial, found guilty and executed.
