Geography of the Middle East

RELIGIOUS & ETHNIC DIFFERENCES  The Middle East has been a crossroads for people of Africa, Asia, and Europe since ancient times. This fact has led to an enormous diversity of peoples, belief systems, and cultures. These differences have sometimes led to conflict. The discovery of oil in the region brought power to some Middle Eastern nations. Oil is a vital part of the global economy. Oil resources, however, are not evenly distributed across the region. As a result, Middle Eastern countries have gone to war over oil-rich lands. Dependence on oil is one reason why countries around the world take an active interest in conflicts in the Middle East. RELIGIOUS & ETHNIC DIFFERENCES NATURAL RESOURCES GOVERNMENTS ISLAMIC TRADITION   Muslims, Christians, and Jews   Different sects within religions More than 30 languages Religious, racial, and cultural prejudices Desire for a united Arab state Largest oil fields in the world   Oil-rich nations gain wealth, political & economic power Limited water supply Arguments over dams and water rights Democracy in Israel & Turkey   Rule by royal family in Jordan & Saudi Arabia Single-party dictators in Iraq & Syria Laws of Islam influence government, society, and personal life   Anti-Western feelings 1990s revival of Islamic traditions

Imperialism leading to Nationalism & OPEC

Traditional Islam vs. Modern Western Ideas OLD VS. NEW  Traditional Islam vs. Modern Western Ideas OIL DISCOVERED IN THE MIDDLE EAST!!! In the 1920s-30s, oil was discovered in the Middle East. Guess who developed these oil fields?! If you guessed Middle Eastern countries, you guessed wrong! They had neither the money nor the technology needed, so American and European companies were granted special privileges. Basically, they controlled the oil and the country in which the oil was located received a fixed royalty (not much ). This made the oil-rich countries mad so they formed OPEC!!!!!

What role did Imperialism have in the development of the oil industry in the 1920’s and 1930’s? As industrialization occurred need for oil increased Europeans and American companies discovered oil in the Middle East   

The Conflict over Oil An offshoot of the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Imperialism is the global dependence on oil or petroleum.  Developed countries are especially dependent because of high-levels of industry, transportation, etc.  This means that whoever controls the oil enjoys a fair amount of political, economic, and even social power.  Much of the world's oil supply lies in the Middle East. In the first half of the 20th century, Middle Eastern nations had the oil but did not have a way to procure, refine, and distribute it.  Foreign governments, such as, Europe and the United States, provided the necessary elements and these oil-producing nations grew rich.  In the 1970's, it was decided that more wealth and power could be had if the foreign influence was removed.  Foreign nations would still have to purchase the oil, but could no longer cut costs by providing the needed infrastructure to produce the oil.  Therefore, OPEC was established.  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries was formed to further control the oil and reduce foreign influence.  The oil-producing nations, like Saudi Arabia, experienced a rise in their standard of living.  Also, the nations of OPEC, which included some African and Latin American countries, used oil as a political weapon.  -Regentsprep.org

What does OPEC mean? Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Who created OPEC and when? Iran, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela 1960’s What was the goal of OPEC? Control oil industry by setting levels and prices  How does the development of OPEC show nationalism? Countries united together to control resources

OPEC Oil Crisis OPEC means the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. This is a trade group that attempts to set world oil prices by controlling oil production. In 1973, OPEC nations halted exports of oil to certain countries. Egypt and Israel were at war. Arab countries set an embargo against the U.S. and other countries that supported Israel. This made prices skyrocket. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, a surplus of oil allowed prices to fall. In 1998, OPEC nations cut oil production, and oil prices rose all over the world.

WHERE THERE’S OIL, THERE’S WEALTH WHERE THERE’S OIL, THERE’S WEALTH!!! Wealth from the oil industry brought a more materialistic lifestyle to many Middle Eastern countries. Some leaders began to modernize and westernize their countries with the oil profits. Technology, urbanization, and women’s roles were lifestyle changes that resulted. This made some people in the Middle East very unhappy! The conflict between traditional Muslim values and new ideas and lifestyles gave way to Islamic Fundamentalism. Which geographic feature has been most responsible for the population distribution in the Middle East? A. abundance of oil deposits B. location of water C. presence of high plateaus D. availability of natural harbors

Turkish Nationalism Turkish nationalists overthrew the last Ottoman sultan, by the leadership of Mustafa Kemal (called Ataturk, meaning Father of Turkey). In 1923, the leader of the overthrow became president of the new Republic of Turkey, the first republic in Southwest Asia. He ushered many Western reforms that helped transform Turkey into a modern Secular (non-religious) nation.

Shah Pahlavi Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979. He maintained a pro-Western foreign policy and fostered economic development in Iran but corruption in his government, unequal distribution of oil wealth and political turmoil resulted in his exile to Egypt followed by the declaration of an Islamic republic in Iran.

Ayatollah Khomeini Ayatollah Khomeini became the supreme religious leader (theocratic ruler) of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini worked to remove the Shah from power for his associations with the West. Upon the success of the revolution Ayatollah Khomeini was named religious and political leader of Iran for life.

Islamic Fundamentalism In the 1970’s, Muslims began to oppose westernization. They wanted to return to the Islamic ways to solve the problems of their countries. Some of the impacts were: Banning all western books, movies and music Strict adherence to the Muslim religion Rights taken away from women Encouraged other Muslim countries to overthrow their governments Like the Taliban today

Iranian Revolution (1979) Causes Effects Corrupt Shah -Islamic Fundamentalist Gov’t led by Ayatollah Khomeini (Islamic Fundamentalism  movement that opposes Westernization and supports traditional Islam) -U.S. Hostage Crisis - Anti-Iraq, Anti-West, Anti-Secular (Secular = non-religious Corrupt Shah Anti-Western feelings Rise in Islamic Fundamentalism

Zionism A movement founded in the 1890s to promote the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine Theodor Herzl – fought for the creation of the Jewish state of Israel The Jews believed that Palestine was their original homeland, and that they had the rights to the land. After the Holocaust, large numbers of Jews moved into Palestine. In 1947, the Jews got parts of Palestine and renamed the land Israel.

Zionism (Mid-1800s-1947) (movement to create homeland for Jews in Palestine) Causes Effects Key Player - Anti-Semitism -Balfour Declaration (British support of cause) -Holocaust -1948 Israel a nation-state Major conflict between Israel and neighboring Arab countries -Peace prevented by extremists -Theodore Herzl -Yasir Arafat -Yitzhak Rabin -U.N

Balfour Declaration After WWI, the British and the French controlled the Middle East. The Jews wanted a Jewish state, while the Arabs feared the new Jews were creating and economic hardship for them. Britain tried to please both sides, and created the Balfour Declaration. Since both sides, Arabs and Jews, could not live together, Britain decided to partition Palestine. Both Jews and Arabs would have land they could call their home. Jews and Arabs began to violently clash over rights to Palestine.

Creation Of Israel In 1947, Britain could no longer control the area and looked to the United Nations for help. The U.N. drew up a plan to divide Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The Jews agreed to the plan; the Arabs did not. In 1948, Britain withdrew. The Jews proclaimed Israel an independent state. The U.S. and Soviet Union both recognized Israel as a state. Because the Arab states did not recognize Israel, they began to attack Israel. In 1948, the Israelis fought the War for Independence. Arab forces from Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon attacked Israel. Israel won the war, doubled its land, and gained one half of Jerusalem.

Israel (1950-1980) Cold War in the Middle East Creation of Israel Under Nasser’s leadership, Egypt took part in two wars against Israel. The Soviet Union supported Egypt and Nasser, and the United States supported Egypt Creation of Israel The UN decided to split up Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state (Israel) Soon after Israel was formed, the Arabs attacked Israel. Israeli forces won the first several wars. As a result, Israel nearly doubled its territory. Between 1948-1980, nearly 2 million Jews migrated to Israel.

Israel’s Wars The Arab-Israeli Wars occurred between 1948 and 1979. 1948: the War for Independence 1958: the Suez Crisis (Israel was denied use of the Suez Canal by Egypt); Israel won 1967: Six Day War (Egypt and Syria attacked Israel; in six days, Israel took over the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, and all of Jerusalem) 1973: Yom Kippur (Egypt and Syria attacked Israel to try to re-gain lost land); Israel held off both countries

P.L.O. (Palestinian Liberation Organization) After the Israeli wars, 700,000 Arabs/Palestinians fled to neighboring countries. Many Arabs had to live in camps as refugees. The Arabs lived in poverty and were discriminated against by the Israelis. Many terrorist groups grew out of these Arab refugees. The PLO is a terrorist group that opposes the creation of Israel. Through terrorism, the PLO aims to re-establish Palestine as a Muslim state. The PLO is responsible for the deaths of many Israeli civilians through suicide bombings.

Yasir Arafat 1965-2004 Yasir Arafat led the PLO, or the Palestine Liberation Organization, in Israel. In the 1970s-80s, the PLO fought the Israeli army, but soon changed to civil disobedience, which put pressure on Israel. P.L.O. continues to fight for the rights of the Palestinians.

Intifada The Palestinians living in Israel resented Israeli rule. In 1987, Palestinians began to show their frustration in a widespread campaign of civil disobedience called intifada, or uprising. They used boycotts, demonstrations, attacks on Israeli soldiers, and teenagers throwing rocks. This continued into the 1990s, with little progress made.

Camp David Accords (1979) Discussion of issues between Egypt and Israel Signed the Camp David Accords during term of U.S. President Jimmy Carter Ended hostilities between Israel and Egypt Egypt was the first Middle Eastern country to recognize Israel as a legitimate country.

Iran-Iraq War The war started in 1980, caused by territorial struggles between Iranians and Iraqis. The Iranian leader, Khomeini, encouraged Muslim fundamentalists to overthrow the secular governments in different nations and become a unified Muslim nation. The Iraqis belonged to a rival Muslim sect, the Sunnis, while the Iranians were Shi’a Muslims. Iraq was led by Saddam Hussein, a military leader who enforced a secular government. United States assisted Iraq with weapons, etc

Persian Gulf War In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait Threatened Kuwait oil industry The U.S. saw Iraq as a threat to other Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia), but also as a threat to oil production The war served to show how globally linked the economies of the world are.