1945-2013

1945 Palestine Controlled by British troops Population mostly Muslim Arabs (Palestinians) Jews all over the world saw this area as their homeland

During WWII some persecuted Jews managed to escape to Palestine After WWII – the United Nations was set up to encourage peace and understanding between nations The UN decided that the Jews should have their own country May 14, 1948, the Jewish state of Israel was created in Palestine

What about the Palestinians? (Muslim Arabs) Infuriated by the creation of Israel In May 1948 Palestinians attack Israel with support from other Arab countries Egypt, Jordan, & Syria January 1949 - Israel wins the war & 1000s of the Palestinians fled Israel Palestinians who stayed were not given the same rights as the Israelis

Over the next 20 years Arabs often attacked Israel’s borders Attacks increased in 1964 after creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) The PLO formed to fight for the right of all Palestinians to live in Israel

1967 – Six-Day War Israeli troops seized large areas of Arab land in a decisive victory 1973 – Yom Kippur War Egypt and Syria led surprise attack on Israel Arab states feel success after losses in 1967

1978 Camp David Accords led by American President Jimmy Carter Ends fighting when Egyptian and Israeli leaders sign peace agreement Egyptian President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin win Nobel Peace Prize © Students of History - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Students-Of-History

Clashes between Israelis and Palestinians living in Israel continue Several (failed) attempts to make peace over Israel occur again in 1990s

US helped to overthrow Iran’s Prime Minister in 1953 Iran then ruled by series of shahs with absolute power In 1979 Ayatollah Khomeini, a Muslim leader, overthrows the Shah and takes control of Iran Ayatollah ruled Iran according to very strict Muslim traditions

War breaks out in 1980 over centuries-old differences Iraq invaded region on Iran’s border Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein thought victory would be easy, due to Iran’s revolution War lasts 8 years – neither side wins 1,000,000+ soldiers killed

1990 Iraq Invades Kuwait Iraq wants to gain control of Kuwait’s oil wells A group of countries, led by the USA and Saudi Arabia, attacked Iraq to force it to free Kuwait Iraq loses after 2 months Both Iraq and Kuwait badly damaged during war

US & NATO invade Afghanistan to take out al-Qaeda group responsible for the 9/11 attacks Also sought to overthrow the Taliban government Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan in 2011

US government believes that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction & is supporting al-Qaeda US invades in March 2003 Saddam Hussein captured, put on trial, & executed War unpopular due to WMDs never found and reports of torture

Timeline of Significant Events 1948 Creation of Israel 1964 PLO formed 1967 Six Days War 1973 Yom Kippur War 1979 Revolution in Iran 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait 1991 Gulf War 1993 Middle East Peace Accord between Israel and the PLO 2001 September 11th Attacks 2011 Osama bin Laden killed & US begins withdrawal from Iraq