1. Modern History of Middle East
Lesson #503

2. The end of the Ottoman Empire
Going into the 1900s, most of the Middle East was controlled by the OTTOMAN EMPIRE (Islamic)
The Islamic Empire had different sections control the whole empire since the year 700 (1,200 years)

3. Modern Era began after WWI
When the Muslims took over the “Holy Land” during the Middle Ages, the Christian knights went to Israel to fight to take it from them
CRUSADES ( )
The Crusaders lost, but the Middle Easterners saw them as invaders and outsiders – they had no desire to become anything like them
That was the last time the Europeans had much stake in the Middle East

6. Modern Era began after WWI
First World War
Going into the 1900s, most of the Middle East was controlled by the OTTOMAN TURKS
(Known as the OTTOMAN EMPIRE)
European nations fought for control over land, and other very weird issues
Ottoman Empire joined in on the German side

7. Modern Era began after WWI
The Germans lost, and so the Ottomans would end up being dismantled, at the will of the victors
Who were the two winner nations of WWI who took over the Middle East?
BRITAIN AND FRANCE
What did they do next?
DIVIDED THE REGION INTO INDEPENDENT NATIONS
52m
Hist Chan

10. The new Middle East
What nations were formed from the former Ottoman Empire?

12. Modern Issues in the Middle East
Arab-Israeli Crisis
Syrian Civil War
ISIS
Oil Production and Distribution
Islamic Extremists Disparity of wealth
Disparity of Education
Iran with nuclear weapons
Instability (and possibility of war)

13. Oil

14. Oil
USA totally dependent on oil for all industry, factories, electricity, heating, and, yes, for gas in the car
Most oil comes from the Middle East
Middle East could dictate price of oil just by decreasing supply
Iran going back on line for sales is going to lower prices
That might seem good… but… why could this actually be a BAD thing?

15. Extremists (Islamists)

16. Extremists Religious leaders sometimes encourage extreme behavior
Mobs often chant “death to America!”
With enough $$ and power, another 9-11 could happen
We are still THERE, in need of oil from their home turf
Should we find a way to get out of that region, or should we actually INCREASE our permanent presence?

17. Disparity of Wealth

18. Disparity of Wealth A few people live VERY well
Most people live in Third-world poverty and filth
Most people lack any real education
Is there hope for future for the poor?
Should the UN step in? Or, will that only create more and bigger problems?
Example
Could it create more resentment?
If it causes war, who gets hurt most?

19. Disparity of Education

20. Disparity of education
Education is the key to progress
Only the most wealthy get a decent education
Most of the poor can’t afford education, and can’t afford to lose farm hands
Will they ever get a chance? How?
Whose responsibility is it to help them to get an education?

21. Iranian Nuclear program

22. A nuclear Iran Iran is still an official enemy of USA
They have been trying to build a nuclear weapon
The recent nuclear deal is supposed to prevent them from building a weapon for the next years
However, it frees up billions of $$... Can they use that to buy weapons?
Also, they HATE Israel more than US
Was this deal a good idea, or should be just be tougher and vigilant of their progress?

23. Instability (civil wars)

24. Instability - wars Current threat: ISIS
Wars cause more poverty and inequality
Wars can benefit some people
Wars breed hatred
Wars create refugees
What should we do about the spread of ISIS? Should we send American troops? Should we just support Middle Eastern troops, like the Jordanian army?
Russia has stepped up its game and taken a lead of Western powers. Is that OK?

26. Arab-Israeli Crisis

27. Arab-Israeli Crisis Israel is always on the defensive
Terrorist strikes at any time
Threats from neighboring countries
USA sends Billions of $$ to help keep the peace
Big question: do we have a moral obligation to support Israel? Why?
Often sited reasons:
They are a democratic nation, like us
The Holocaust
They are the front line of defense against terrorists

28. History of Israel

29. Modern Problems in Israel
Terrorist strikes
Surrounded by enemy nations
Always on high alert
Why?
Roots go back thousands of years
99% of the more than 5,000,000 square miles of former Ottoman Empire to the Arabs to create countries that did not exist previously. Less than 1% was given for a state for the Jews on both banks of the Jordan River.

30. Ancient Israel History described in the Bible A proud civilization
Defeated surrounded lands
They fought their way in
They fought surrounding nations to exist

31. Roman Invasion Around 2000 years ago… Romans took over Israel
Jews rebelled.
Romans kicked out Jews

32. Jewish Diaspora Jews were forced to find new homes.
Most moved to Western Russia and Poland
Get out!

33. Return of Jewish People to Israel
In 1900s, Jews start to return
(called the ZIONIST MOVEMENT)
Goal: form a modern nation of Israel
Problem: people had moved onto land of Israel
Romans had called them Palestinians

34. Zionism Jews persecuted while living in other nations as refugees
Lots wanted a Jewish nation that would protect Jews
Zionism was the idea to create a new Israel where the old one was (holy land)

35. Changes in ownership of land
In 1900s, Ottoman Empire owned land
Ottomans had become weak.
Ottomans lost in WWI
British took over land.
British promised Jews they could create a new nation if they helped in WWI

36. Post WWI Middle East

37. Planned partition of Palestine
The British owned the land after WWI
Region called PALESTINE was to be carved into THREE independent nations
Israel was to get the green portion
Palestinians wanted to own it all.

38. Road to a State of Israel
United Nations suggested splitting western land into two Nations:
Jewish State
Palestinian State
Jews agreed
Palestinians, and surrounding nations did NOT agree
None of them thought there should be a new nation of Israel
click

39. Formation of a new Jewish Nation
The Holocaust ( ) caused Jews to FLOOD region
By 1948, Israel was done waiting
Israel declared itself a nation
Rejoicing in the streets… but…
Neighboring nations saw this as a “Western invasion”
Palestinians saw this as theft
Might lead to
conflict

40. War for Israeli Independence
Israel invaded 1948 by
Egypt
Jordan
Iraq
Syria
Lebanon
Overwhelming force
Was not unified
Israel WAS unified
Israel won 3m

41. Result of War Palestinians demanded all land They got none
Most moved into surrounding nations
Became refugees
And were ANGRY
Surrounding nations were humiliated
Most vowed REVENGE

42. Surrounding nations took revenge
Egypt planned to invade
Coordinated Syria and Jordan to join (1967)
Israel foiled plans
Israel went on offensive
In 6 days, defeated enemies
Egypt led another invasion 1973… and lost
Now known as SIX DAY WAR

43. Internal problems in Israel
Palestinians still want a nation
Some Palestinians have become terrorists
Suicide bombers
Most Palestinians want to live in peace
Should Israel give up some land for them?

44. Palestinian terrorists form to destroy Israel
Refugees formed terrorist group PLO, 1964
Refugees in Lebanon formed Hezbollah, 1982
Refugees in Egypt formed Hamas, 1988
4m explanation

45. The result of all this conflict
Disagreement over land
Formation of terrorist groups
Israel always on defensive
Palestinian refugees
What should Israel do?

46. Israel Today Israel depends on support from USA
Israel is a “western” nation, like us
Should we always support them?
3m for our loyalty to Israel

47. Is there any hope? Peace talks Should WE get involved? We did, in 1978
Billions of $$
Today:
Camp David Accords, 1978
Four gunmen
Three grenades
37 rounds
11 dead
1981
Nobel Prize for Peace

49.
A full 50m of Rick Steves in Israel