1. The Middle East

2. The Middle East: 6 major themes
Proof of a European centered division of the East
We will further discuss all themes as we move throughout this unit.

3. Bellringer
Work on articles

4. Theme 1: Oil About 60% of the world’s oil
Has helped develop countries like the UAE and Oman
Upsets many traditionalists who want things to stay the same
Some with fundamentalist views will turn to terrorism as a means of fighting change ex. Al Qaeda
Gives dictators money for weapons and funds war (ex. ISIS)
Allows small countries to have oversized roles
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil producer in the Middle East and a key member of OPEC (influences oil prices and controlling supply.)

5. Theme 2: Arid Most of the Middle East is arid
Rub-Al-Khali in Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest continuous sand desert
Many countries trade oil profits for increased water supply
The Middle East has 10 of the 15 most water poor countries
Cause for conflict
1% of ME water is fit for human consumption

6. Theme 3: Arab World Most of the Middle East is Arab
Others are Persians, Turks, and Hebrews
Architecture—Arabic style
Conflict between ethnic groups (ex. Iran-Iraq War between the Persians and Arabs)

7. Theme 4: World Religions
Birthplace of the 3 major monotheistic religions
Christianity
Judaism
Islam

8. Theme 5: Islam Most people in the Middle East are Muslim
Many countries live by Sharia Law—law based on the Islamic religion and the teachings of the Koran
Saudi Arabia
Iran
People of other religions have few rights in Muslim countries.

9. Theme 5: Rise of Islam
Around the years 570 to 632 A.D., the prophet Muhammad established Islam
Muhammad was born in Mecca, on the western edge of the Arabian Peninsula
There he received a message from Gabriel, an angel that told him to preach the message of Allah

10. Theme 5: Rise of Islam
Muhammad established a Muslim community in Medina
After his death, Islam spread to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula
Armies then spread Islam as far west as Spain in less than a century
Over time, Islam spread to Central Asia, India, and Southeast Asia

11. Theme 5: Key Terms Allah: the Arabic word for God
Muslims: people who practice Islam
Koran: Islam’s holy book (Quran)
Mecca: direction in which all Muslims must pray
Jihad: Islamic holy war
Pillars: practices of Islam

12. Theme 5: Pillar 1
Faith: Declaration that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet

13. Pillar 2
Prayer: Five times a day, facing Mecca

14. Pillar 3
Alms: Muslims have a social responsibility to give money to the poor

15. Pillar 4
Fasting: Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk. The idea is to show that spiritual needs are greater than physical needs

16. Pillar 5
Pilgrimage: Travel to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if physically and financially able.
The Kaaba in the Great Mosque (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)

17. Theme 5: Sunni vs Shiite Both are branches of the Islamic religion
Divisions were created after the death of the Prophet Mohammad
Sunni Muslims believed the position should be taken by one of the Prophets companions and it was! (majority)
Shiite Muslims believed that only a direct descendent of Mohammad should take the position of Prophet. They refuse to acknowledge elected Muslim leaders. (minority)

18. Theme 6: Conflict History of conflict Israel/Palestine Resources
Religion
Resources
Undeveloped countries are vulnerable to militias and dictators
Ex. Saddam Hussein, Taliban, ISIS

19. Turn to the note section in your binder and label it…”Conflict in the Middle East”. We will be taking notes on ALL of the wars we covered in your Stations Activity. You will be quizzed on this information in the next couple of days. Make sure you know it!!!
AFTER TODAY…SAIL CARDS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OF YOUR WORK DONE ON TIME.

20. Arab-Israeli Wars
1948—The country of Israeli was created after the UN decided that Jews needed a place of their own as a result of the Holocaust.
The Jewish homeland was already occupied by many Arabs (Palestine)
Palestine was divided: Arab portion and Jewish portion
This caused tension between Israel and many Arab countries fighting still continues today
Still ongoing today
Two state solution is supported by all but boundaries can’t be agreed upon

23. Persian Gulf War Iraq accused Kuwait of siphoning oil
Cause
Iraq accused Kuwait of siphoning oil
Iraq also claimed to have historical claims over the territory that lies in Kuwait
1990
Fighting lasted 42 days
Iraq received little support from Arab countries
Kuwait is an ally of the US
Contributed to Iraq War in 2003 because Hussein refused to follow weapons restrictions in treaty

25. Iraq War
2003 – 2011
Hussein was captured, tried, convicted, and hanged
Created a democratic government in Iraq
Left before it was stable
ISIS took over half of the country

28. Instability allows ISIS to flourish
As many as 10 million people are now under the control of ISIS
Heavily funded by selling oil on the black market
In August of 2014, the United States-led coalition launched air strikes in Iraq and later in Syria
The coalition includes many European and Arab countries
ISIS has lost a substantial amount of territory and has lost about 25,000 fighters
The US finally declared that ISIS is committing genocide against Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria
Goal: Iraq and Syria to be an Islamic Caliphate

29. Syrian Civil War
Residential areas have been completely destroyed
Chemical weapons have been used in populated areas with no warning which has caused retaliatory strikes by countries like the US, Britain and Saudi Arabia.
Russia and Iran support Assad
2011—Protests led to an armed rebellion against President al Assad’s government (Shia minority controls the country)
Has become a proxy war
Syria backed by Iran and Russia
United States and Saudi Arabia along with other countries are fighting to rid the country of President al Assad
As a result of the civil war, terrorists groups like ISIS have been able to flourish and take over large pieces of territory
500,000 people have died in the war so far