Iraq in the Modern World World History

Iraq in the Middle East  Iraq is located right in the center of the region we call the Middle East.  It became a British mandate after World War I and a monarchy soon after.  Saddam Hussein would take control as a dictator in 1979.

The Religion of Iraq  There are two types of Muslims; Shiites and Sunnis.  Three religious disagreement is over a thousand years old.  Most of the people in Iraq are Shiite.  There are also Kurds, a separate ethnic group in the North.

Saddam Hussein Comes to Power  Saddam Hussein becomes the dictator of Iraq in  He killed all those who opposed him.  He was a Sunni Muslim. They are the minority but held all of the power.

Saddam goes to War  In 1980, Saddam Hussein will try to occupy a disputed region on the border with Iran.  This will lead to a major war called the Iran-Iraq War.  The US will SUPPORT Iraq in this war.

Why Would the US support Iraq?  In 1953, the United States helped to put the Shah of Iran in power.  He had many enemies, and was overthrown in  He was overthrown by Islamic militants who wanted a theocracy, or completely religious country.

The Ayatollah takes Over  In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini takes over Iran and creates a theocracy.  The government allows the US embassy to be seized by militants and 52 Americans were held hostage for over a year.

Reasons to Support Iraq  The US was angry with Iran for the hostage crisis.  The US did not want Islamic states in the Middle East.  The Soviet Union supported Iran, so the US supported Iraq.

Iraq During the Iran / Iraq War  The war would continue from 1980 to  Millions would die and no one would really win.  Saddam Hussein would regularly use chemical weapons, the first time they were used since World War I.  He will also use them against people he believes are against him in his own country.

The Persian Gulf War  In 1990, Saddam invades his small but oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait.  He wants the oil and access to the Persian Gulf.  Kuwait is quickly defeated.

The Persian Gulf War  Iraq is quickly defeated by a US led coalition.  Saddam is forced out of Kuwait but remains in power.  After the war, Shiite uprisings took place against Saddam and he brutally crushed them, killing and torturing huge numbers of people.

Iraq After the Persian Gulf War  No fly-zones were set up to protect the people of Iraq from Saddam Hussein.  The United Nations said that Weapons of Mass Destruction must be destroyed throughout Iraq. These include chemical and biological weapons.

Buildup to a New War  In 2002, The United State and Great Britain believed that Saddam still had WMD’s.  The US, led by president Bush, invaded in  Saddam was quickly toppled.  No WMD’s have been found to this point.

Saddam is Toppled  Saddam’s government is toppled relatively quickly.  He is captured and later executed by the new Iraqi government.  No weapons of mass destruction have been found.

New Problems  Saddam’s government falls in April,  New problems have emerged for the United States.  Shiites and Sunnis have clashed repeatedly.  Many Iraqis have also attacked US troops. Most troops have been killed by IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devises).  Terrorists from other countries have also move to Iraq to attack US troops.

Iraq Today  Iraq remains at the brink of a civil war between Shiites and Sunnis.  The United States has large number of troops in the country.  They do not plan to leave until they believe the Iraqi government can support itself without them.