1. Iraq-Desert, Oil and Saddam Hussein

2. Iraq Arabic people – 75% of population 60% - Shi’ite Muslim Sunni Muslim Arabs – governed country for most of last 100 years (even though they are minority) Kurds – also Sunni Muslims – 3 rd largest group Oil industry – most important. 2 nd largest oil reserves in the world 3 major wars and many rebellions

3. Saddam Hussein Leader of Baath Party that ruled Iraq from 1979-2003 Didn’t like the western world/America After he took power – got rid of many of his rivals Dictator Led Iraq into war with Iran

4. Iran/Iraq War Lasted 8 years Very expensive After the end of this war – Kurdish tribes began an uprising. Iraq used poisonous gas against Kurds 1990 – Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait – set off the Persian Gulf War

5. Persian Gulf War Iraq in debt to Kuwait and Jordan Iraq-Iran war ends 1988 Saddam felt like Kuwait should forgive massive loans made to Iraq Kuwait didn’t!!! Demanded repayment Kuwait 5 th largest produce of oil in the world – though small it was very rich. SADDAM WAS FURIOUS!! Saddam Hussein – president 10 years and most of time had been in war with Iran

6. Saddam’s Accusations Accused Kuwait of 1. flooding market with too much oil – decreasing the price – thus costing Iraq millions 2. ‘slant drilling’ – sticking long pipes under Iraqi border and stealing his oil Demanded $27 million from Kuwait!!! They refused to pay – he decided to invade!!

7. Invasion Iraq had 4 th largest army in the world Well equipped with military hardware by US and Soviet Union from war with Iran Kuwait conquered in a matter of days

8. Shocked!! Other countries thought they were next Saudi Arabia – world’s largest oil producer and very wealthy country US – afraid Iraq would cut off their source of oil, driving up the price Would have destroyed economies of these countries

9. United Nations Gets Involved Security Council spoke out against the invasion Told Iraq to withdraw George H. Bush – sent first American troops and warplanes to Persian Gulf Became known as Operation Desert Shield

10. Saddam Hussein defied the order of the UN January 16, 1991 – US and others launched a massive air strike on Iraqi military targets Started Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)

11. OVER QUICKLY! Short war – 42 days but very deadly Thousands of lives lost and Kuwait was left in ruins Iraqis left but Saddam Hussein stayed in power there for another 12 years