The Persian Gulf and Interior World Geography Today 12/18/2017 CHAPTER 19 The Persian Gulf and Interior Section 2: History and Culture Chapter 19

Asia Minor

Various peoples and empires have shaped the region’s history. Section 2 History and Culture Various peoples and empires have shaped the region’s history. Sumerians built the first civilization and cities in the Fertile Crescent around 3000-5000 BC (Iraq) Akkadians created the first real empire in the area, around 2350 B.C. (conquered Sumerians) Persians established a powerful empire around 550 B.C. (Iran) (Conquered Akkadians) Greeks and Romans arrived later.

Section 2 History and Culture Various peoples and empires have shaped the region’s history. (continued) The rise of Islam had a major impact, beginning in the late A.D. 500s. (Muhammad) Mongols arrived in the 1200s. (Asia) Safavid Persians built a flourishing empire in the 1500s. (Iran) Ottoman Turks also ruled the region in the 1500s. (Turkey) Britain and Russia Tried to control Iran and Afghanistan in the 1800’s (became independent in 1900’s)

Cultural features: Section 2 History and Culture Islam is the unifying element. (Sunni: Majority, Shi’ism) Arabs are the major group in the region; Arabic is the main language. (Quran is the holy book, in Arabic) Kurds live in borderlands of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Cultural diversity is more complex in Iran and Afghanistan. Most Iranians are Persians Pashtun are the largest group in Afghanistan.

Chapter 20 History and Culture (section 2)

Peoples and empires: Section 2 History and Culture First settlements around 8000 BC Several ancient empires occupied the area: Egyptian, Hittite, Persian. Hebrews established kingdom and Judaism. Also known as Palestine and Israel. (1000 BC) Romans exiled Jews, then spread Christianity.(B.C 200- A.D 106) Byzantine Empire 400 AD (Eastern Roman Empire) brought growth of Eastern Orthodox Church. (different Christian branch)

Arab Muslim armies occupied the area and spread Islam. 600 AD Crusades brought clashes between Muslims and Christians. 1095-1200’s Ottoman Empire ruled the region by 1300s until WWI when the Turks lost their territory after losing WWI. Turkey was created and their other territory was taken by Britain and France. (mandates)

Development of Israel: Section 2 History and Culture Development of Israel: Zionist movement of late 1800s called for Jewish homeland. Jews moved to Palestine after World War I. Migration increased in 1930s and 1940s. WWII U.N. divided Palestine into Jewish and Arab states in 1947. Israel declared independence in 1948. (War between Israelis and the Palestinians over control of Israel) Palestinians(Arab) fled to West Bank, Gaza, other Arab nations Israel gained territories through war—West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights.

Peoples and cultures: Section 2 History and Culture main peoples —Arabs, Jews, Turks, Kurds Religions —Islam, Judaism, Christianity Languages- Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish Members of same ethnic group may follow different religions—e.g., Christian Arabs. Jewish religious law influences Israeli culture. Israel has welcomed people from other nations and ethnic groups.