1. “The Great Bitterness”
What does it mean to be bitter?

2. Objectives (aka what you should be able to do after this presentation)
Trace colonialism in the Middle East
Understand what “Arab” means
Summarize history and significance of the Suez Canal
Understand the background of the Arab-Israeli conflict
Describe Britain’s role in the Persian Gulf and Middle Eastern reactions to its presence.

3. I. Background
A. The Europeans viewed the Middle East as a great source of wealth and a great trade route B. Similar to Africa, colonialism contributed to the tensions that still exist in the Middle East today (although in very different ways than in Africa)

4. II. Colonialism
Definition- foreign occupation of land with an intent to exploit its resources
Reasons for colonialism in the Middle East
New markets to sell products
Raw materials for industry
Access to trade routes
Key players
Great Britain
France
Russia

5. III. History of Colonialism in Middle East
Rule by Europeans caused both frustration and humiliation for Arabs
Arabs are people who share ethnic, cultural, and linguistic traits
Name taken from “Arabian Peninsula” region
There are also Christian Arabs and Jewish Arabs (Arab is not a religion)
Many fought and died for
independence from
European rule

6. IV. Syria and Lebanon
Syria was under the control of the Ottoman Empire, who teams up with Germany (US enemy) in WWI
Did not like being under Ottoman control
Wanted independence
Germany and the Ottomans lose WWI
France and Great Britain divide up the loser’s territory
Syria and Lebanon are given to France
Many revolts against European leaders

7. As a class, read the story on page 604

8. IV. Syria and Lebanon
C. After decades of attempts for independence from France, they were successful in 1946
What happened in the world that helped Syria and Lebanon gain independence?
Both countries created democracies that were successful for some time
A civil war in Lebanon and a military overthrow of the gov’t in Syria were obstacles

9. Geographic Question:
Look at the world map. If you live in France and you want to trade with China using a ship, how do you get there?

10. V. The Suez Canal Links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea
A French engineer designed it
Egyptian men forced to construct it for low wages
Took 10 years to build
Completed in 1869
Many Egyptian laborers died

11. B. Britain had become the main user of the Suez Canal, but Egypt wanted control
Britain sent troops that stayed there until 1956
President Nasser believed foreigners had no right to control Egyptian land
Nasser “nationalized” the canal
a. Made it property of the government
b. Used profits for Aswan High Dam on the Nile

12. As a class, read quote at the bottom of page 608

13. VI. Arab-Israeli Conflict
Both Arabs and Israelis claim they own the land of present-day Israel
Used to be called Palestine
Was controlled by the Ottomans and inhabited by 500,000 Arabs and 50,000 Jews before WWI

14. B. After WWI when the Ottoman Empire fell, Britain took control
Britain made promises to the Arabs that they would have an independent state, but instead the British occupied the land
After WWII, the Jewish population increased
Palestinian Arabs became angry and violent protests erupted
The UN created 2 states in 1947
a. Palestine (Arab Muslim)
b. Israel (Jewish)

15. C. Palestinians refused to accept Israel as a state and Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and others invaded Israel 1. Israel won, and almost a million Palestinians were forced to leave their homes 2. The bitterness and violence has continued ever since a. suicide bombings b. failed peace talks

16. VII. The Persian Gulf
Oil was discovered in this area in the early 1900s
Britain and other European nations set up drilling operations
Arabs and Iranians resented other countries becoming wealthy from their oil
Iran was the first country to nationalize their oil resources (page 611)
a. Most European powers boycotted Iranian oil
Note: Nationalization is when the gov’t takes control of a company