Nation Building in the Middle East: Three Case Studies 22-3 By:DW

An Iranian religious leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, angrily denounced the government. Khomeini’s fiery speeches helped spur an Iranian revolution in 1979. In this section, we will see how three nations pursued modernization. Setting the Scene

Turkey Moves Toward Democracy In the 1920s, Kemal Ataturk began his campaign to transform Turkey into a modern secular state. At the beginning of the Cold War, the Soviets tried to expand southward into Turkey to gain control of the Bosporus. Turkey joined NATO and remained an important western ally in the Mediterranean. Turkey Moves Toward Democracy

Government and Economy Turkey struggled to build a stable government. At first, the military seized power in times of unrest. Turkey transformed its economy by expanding agriculture through increased irrigation and by promoting industry. It exported crops and manufactured goods to Europe and hoped to join the European Union. Government and Economy

Turkey tried to stamp out the culture of its Kurdish minority. Kurds were forbidden to speak, publish, or broadcast in their own language. Turkey also waged a long struggle over Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey itself was divided. Conflicts

Egypt, A Leader in the Arab World Egypt has roots both in Africa, where it is located, and in the Arab world. Geography has always played a key role in Egypt's destiny. Its location between the Mediterranean and red seas is strategically important. It shares a long border with Israel and controls the Suez Canal. Egypt, A Leader in the Arab World

Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser emerged as a towering Arab leader. Nasser was a military officer who rose to power after the overthrow of a weak ruler who had allowed foreigners to dominate his country. Nasser set out to modernize Egypt and end western Egypt and end western domination. Nasser

After Nasser’s death in 1970, the new president, Anwar Sadat, took steps to open Egypt to foreign investment and private business. In foreign affairs, Sadat moved away from the Soviet camp and closer to the Inited States. In 1979, he became the first Arab leader to make peace with Israel. Sadat

Iran became a focus of British, Soviet and American investments. In 1945, Shah Muhammad Rez Pahlavi had western backing but faced many opponents at home. Iranian nationals wanted to end British control of Iran’s oil wealth and limit the shah’s dictatorial powers. Nationalism and Oil

Foreign Policy The new leaders bitterly denounced the West. When the shah was allowed into the United states for medical treatment, angry revolutionaries seized the American embassy in Tehran and held 52 hostages for over a year. Iran also tried to export its revolution. It urged Muslims in countries like egypt and turkey to overthrow secular leaders. Foreign Policy