Human Geography By James Rubenstein Chapter 6 Key Issue 4 Why do territorial conflicts arise among religious groups? April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Fundamentalism The literal interpretation and a strict and intense adherence to basic principles of a religion (or a religious branch, denomination, or sect). April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Religion vs. Government Policies In recent years, religious principles have become increasingly important in the political organization of countries, especially where a branch of Christianity or Islam is the prevailing religion. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Religion vs. Social Change Many religious adherents in LDCs view economic development as incompatible with religious values . . . especially where Christianity is not the predominant religion. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Taliban vs. Western Values Gained power in Afghanistan in 1996. The U.S. welcomed them as a strong impediment to future invasion by the Russians. Imposed strict laws inspired by Islamic values. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Taliban Laws Men were beaten for shaving their beards. Homosexuals were buried alive. Prostitutes were hanged in front of large audiences. Thieves had their hands cut off. Women wearing nail polish had their fingers cut off. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Banned Western Leisure Activities such as . . . playing music, flying kites, watching television, and surfing the internet. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Hinduism vs. Social Equality Hinduism has been strongly challenged since the 1800s by the British. The most vulnerable aspect of Indian culture was the Caste System. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Originated with the Aryans in 1500 B.C.E. Caste A system in which the class or distinct hereditary order into which a Hindu was assigned according to religious law. Originated with the Aryans in 1500 B.C.E. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Caste System Brahmans were the priests and top administrators. Kshatriyas were warriors. Vaisyas were merchants. Shudras were agricultural workers or artisans. The Outcasts, or Untouchables did the work too dirty for the other classes. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Caste System Today Although the Caste System was outlawed by the Indian Government . . . socially the system is still very much alive. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Communism vs. Religion Karl Marx had called religion “the opium of the people.” The Communist government of the Soviet Union pursued antireligious programs. The role of organized religion in Soviet life could be reduced and was. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Islam vs. the Soviet Union The end of Communist rule brought a religious revival in Eastern Europe. Central Asian countries are struggling to determine the extent to which laws should conform to Islamic custom. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Buddhism vs. Southeast Asian Countries The French, the United States and the Communist were not particularly sympathetic to the Buddhists. Buddhists immolated themselves in protest to policies of South Vietnam. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Buddhist Monk burning himself in protest of the South Vietnam Government April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Two long-standing conflicts involving religious groups are Religion vs. Religion Conflicts are most likely to occur at boundaries between two religious groups. Two long-standing conflicts involving religious groups are 1. The Middle East 2. Northern Ireland April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Religion Wars in the Middle East Jews, Christians, and Muslims have fought for 2000 years to control the same strip of land. All three groups trace their origins to Abraham in the Old Testament narrative. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Claims on Palestine Judaism call Palestine the Promised Land. Christians consider Palestine the Holy Land. Muslims regard Jerusalem as their third holiest city. It is the place from which Muhammad is thought to have ascended to heaven. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Old City of Jerusalem April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

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Spread of Islam The Arab army diffused Islam throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In C.E. 710, Muslim armies conquered Spain and occupied much of France. In 1453 Muslim armies captured Constantinople and later advanced up to Bosnia and Herzegovina. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

European Response to Islam In C.E. 735, Charles Martel of the Franks halted the Muslim advance into Western Europe and insured that Christianity would be Europe’s dominant religion. Europe launched a series of Crusades to capture Jerusalem and finally lost in 1244. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Control of Palestine The Ottoman Empire controlled Palestine between 1516 and 1917. Great Britain took over Palestine from the League of Nations mandate after World War I but withdrew in 1948. The United Nations voted to partition Palestine into two states in 1947. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Israel’s New Beginning In 1948, Jews declared an independent state of Israel. Arab neighbors declared War. A 1949 Armistice divided the control of Jerusalem, but denied Jews access to the Old City. Israel won 3 more wars with their neighbors in 1956, 1967, and 1973. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Jews Captured Territory from Neighbors Israel captured the West Bank and the entire city of Jerusalem from Jordan. Israel acquired the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel gained the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Partition Plan of 1947 April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Boundary Changes After 1948-1949 War April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Boundary Changes after 1967 (Six Day War) April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The status of the other territories has not been settled. Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, and in return Egypt recognized Israel’s right to exist. The status of the other territories has not been settled. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The Palestinians saw themselves as the rulers of Israel. After the 1973 war, Egypt and Jordan recognized the Palestinians as legitimate rulers of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Palestinians saw themselves as the rulers of Israel. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The West Bank A section of the western bank of the Jordan river. U.N. petitioned for a Palestinian state. After 1967 war, Israel allowed Jewish settlements in the region. Palestinians see immigration as a hostile act. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

With 100 settlements, the Jews represent only 7% of the population of the West Bank. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Palestinian Question The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) led fight against Israel. Israel allowed limited authority over West Bank and Gaza by the Palestinian Authority. Some Palestinians want to continue fighting for all the land. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The U.N. partition allocated the highlands to the Palestinians. Jordan and Syria used the highlands from which to attack the Jews. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The Palestinians occupied most of the high ground. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Israel has no intention of giving up control of the Old City. The ultimate obstacle to peace in the region is the status of Jerusalem. Israel has no intention of giving up control of the Old City. Palestinians refuse to give up their claim to it. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Religious Wars in Ireland The most troublesome boundary in Western Europe. Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island of Eire (Ireland). April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

The Irish Republic Island became a part of the United Kingdom in 1801. After a succession of bloody confrontations, Ireland became a republic in 1949. Protestant northern counties voted to stay in the United Kingdom. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Distribution of Protestants in Ireland April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Northern Ireland Majority protestant. Due to discrimination, Roman Catholics began protesting in 1968. Extremist groups formed to promote their views. A 1999 peace agreement frequently must be suspended. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews

Conflict The majority of Catholics and Protestants want to live in peace. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) are dedicated to Irish Unity. The Ulster Defense Force (UDF) is one of the protestant extremist who are willing to fight the IRA. April 24, 2017 S. Mathews