3. 1945 Palestine
Controlled by British troops
Population mostly Muslim Arabs (Palestinians)
Jews all over the world saw this area as their homeland

4. 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

5. 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 Israel wins the war & 1000s of the Palestinians fled Israel
Palestinians who stayed were not given the same rights as the Israelis

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 -

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Timeline of Significant Events
Creation of Israel
PLO formed
Six Days War
Yom Kippur War
Revolution in Iran
Iran-Iraq War
Iraq invades Kuwait
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