1. STANDARDS:
SS7H2 Analyze continuity and change in Southwest Asia (Middle East).
a. Explain how European partitioning in the Middle East following WWI led to regional conflict.
c. Describe how land and religion plays a role in continuing conflicts in the Middle East (i.e. the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and Kurdish nationalism).
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2. Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 1
New Borders
Partitioning
Collapse
Ottoman Empire
Arab countries _________________________ about the division of the territory.
Unfortunately, they drew borders without regard to which tribes, religious groups, and ethnic groups would be forced _________________________ .
Great Britain and France desired immediate control of the area in order to _________________________ , so they quickly drew up new borders.
The _________________________ by this land division have persisted in the Middle East today.
Great Britain heavily _________________________ that were put in place in the territories it controlled, and for years, these countries remained under British supervision.
The British were in charge of Egypt, _________________________ , Palestine, Jordan, and a chunk of Saudi Arabia.
After partitioning, France took control of Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, _________________________ , and Tunisia.
The League of Nations gave France and Great Britain _________________________ the Ottoman territory.
Afterwards, the government collapsed and the land of the former Ottoman Empire was divided among the _________________________ .
During World War I, the Ottoman Empire sided with the Central Powers, who ended up _________________________ .
Over time, the Ottoman sultans were not very capable of ruling and the empire _________________________ .
Its lands stretched from what is now Turkey and parts of southeastern Europe, northern Africa, and _________________________ .
At its height, the Ottoman Empire was six times the _________________________ .
The Ottoman Turks were known for their ruthless _________________________ .
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Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 1

3. Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 2
Religion
Kurds
Land Disputes
The hostility between _________________________ , and among different Islamic factions, forms the basis of the region’s modern history.
Some of the conflicts started when Europeans took control of the region, while others _________________________ long before Europeans came.
_________________________ also lie at the heart of the continuing conflict in the region.
Today, Kurds are suffering greatly from _________________________ .
Throughout the last decades of the 20th century, Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein _________________________ his country’s Kurdish population.
The Kurds were not given their own homeland, which has left the Kurdish people vulnerable to _________________________ .
These countries are uneasy with the vibrant ethnic group and _________________________ them with an iron fist.
The Kurds were divided between _________________________ , Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
Despite their large population, Kurds did not get their _________________________ when Europeans partitioned the Middle East.
Another problem created by the land division has impacted _________________________ , an ethnic group that have lived in the region for centuries.
For example, from 1980 to 1988, Iran and Iraq _________________________ over disputed oil-rich territory
Claims over land led to long periods of _________________________ in the region.
This caused some ethnic and religious groups to be separated by boundaries, while other rival groups were _________________________ .
As they divided the land, they drew borders that _________________________ to local cultures.
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Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 2

4. Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 3
Shia & Sunni
Palestine & Israel
Since then, they have worked hard to remove all influences of _________________________ .
In 1979, fundamentalist Muslims _________________________ and imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law on all of the country’s citizens.
The more aggressive Iraqi Sunnis _________________________ with the Iranian Shiites.
The two religious groups have fought for _________________________ for decades.
As a result of European partitioning after WWI, Sunni and Shia Muslims, who were often rivals, were now _________________________ together in one country (Iraq).
Many conflicts also occur within the _________________________ in Southwest Asia.
The land in Israel is _________________________ Jews and Muslims, so the two groups are constantly fighting over it.
There is constant conflict between Palestinians and Israelis living in the area called the _________________________ .
Arab nations do not recognize Israel as a nation, and Jewish Israel lives in _________________________ from its neighbors.
Palestine, with help from the neighboring Arab countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, _________________________ with Israel that has lasted for decades.
Palestinians refused to _________________________ as a nation and as soon as it was established, fighting broke out.
In 1948, the United Nations _________________________ into the Jewish nation of Israel and the Arab Muslim state of Palestine.
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Conflicts in the Middle East CLOZE Notes 3

5. Continuing Conflicts in the
MIDDLE
EAST
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6. Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Turks were known for their ruthless pursuit of land.
At its height, the Ottoman Empire was six times the size of Texas.
Its lands stretched from what is now Turkey and parts of southeastern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia.
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8. Collapse
Over time, the Ottoman sultans were not very capable of ruling and the empire began to decline.
During World War I, the Ottoman Empire sided with the Central Powers, who ended up losing the war.
Afterwards, the government collapsed and the land of the former Ottoman Empire was divided among the victorious European countries.
The League of Nations gave France and Great Britain control of partitioning the Ottoman territory.
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9. Partitioning
After partitioning, France took control of Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The British were in charge of Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, and a chunk of Saudi Arabia.
Great Britain heavily influenced the governments that were put in place in the territories it controlled, and for years, these countries remained under British supervision.
The problems created by this land division have persisted in the Middle East today.
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12. New Borders
Great Britain and France desired immediate control of the area in order to control oil profits, so they quickly drew up new borders.
Unfortunately, they drew borders without regard to which tribes, religious groups, and ethnic groups would be forced under one government.
Arab countries were not consulted about the division of the territory.
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13. Land Disputes
As they divided the land, they drew borders that paid no attention to local cultures.
This caused some ethnic and religious groups to be separated by boundaries, while other rival groups were grouped together.
Claims over land led to long periods of conflict and bloodshed in the region.
For example, from 1980 to 1988, Iran and Iraq fought a war over disputed oil-rich territory.
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14. Kurds
Another problem created by the land division has impacted the Kurds, an ethnic group that have lived in the region for centuries.
Despite their large population, Kurds did not get their own territory when Europeans partitioned the Middle East.
The Kurds were divided between Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
These countries are uneasy with the vibrant ethnic group and attempt to rule them with an iron fist.
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15. Distribution of Kurdish People in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria
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16. Kurds
The Kurds were not given their own homeland, which has left the Kurdish people vulnerable to extreme persecution.
Throughout the last decades of the 20th century, Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein attempted to eliminate his country’s Kurdish population.
Today, Kurds are suffering greatly from civil war in Syria.
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17. Kurdish Refugees from Syria
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18. Religion
Disputes over religion also lie at the heart of the continuing conflict in the region.
Some of the conflicts started when Europeans took control of the region, while others date back long before Europeans came.
The hostility between Arabs and Jews, and among different Islamic factions, forms the basis of the region’s modern history.
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19. Palestine & Israel
In 1948, the United Nations partitioned Palestine into the Jewish nation of Israel and the Arab Muslim state of Palestine.
Palestinians refused to recognize Israel as a nation and as soon as it was established, fighting broke out.
Palestine, with help from the neighboring Arab countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, engaged in conflict with Israel that has lasted for decades.
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20. Shia & Sunni
Many conflicts also occur within the Muslim sects in Southwest Asia.
As a result of European partitioning after WWI, Sunni and Shia Muslims, who were often rivals, were now forced to get along together in one country (Iraq).
The two religious groups have fought for power in Iraq for decades.
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23. Cause? M12
European partitioning of the Middle East after WWI

24. Effect Ethnic & religious groups were put together (or separated)
Sunni-Shia conflict – Iraq
Kurds – forced to live in other countries (no Kurdistan)
Israeli – Palestinian Arab conflict over Palestine

25. Continuing Conflicts: Arrest Warrant
Directions: Now that you have identified the suspect responsible for the continuous conflict in Southwest Asia, it is time to seek an arrest warrant! You must present the case you have built against your suspec to Judge Holcomb. You must prove the suspect’s guilt. Be sure to include details about the conflicts caused by the suspect, actions, and their motives.
Key Terms: Ottoman Empire, WWI, Sykes-Picot, mandate, partition
Conflicts: Kurds, Sunni-Shia, Israel-Palestine
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26. Continuing Conflicts: Comic Book
Directions: Create a comic book that explains how events after WWI led to regional conflicts in the Middle East. Use evidence/examples of conflicts you’ve learned about to explain why there is so much conflict in the region today. The comic book should be illustrated, colorful, and include dialogue and/or captions.
Key Terms: Ottoman Empire, WWI, Sykes-Picot, mandate, partition
Conflicts: Kurds, Sunni-Shia, Israel-Palestine
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27. Grading 4
100
Exemplary
*Skillfully incorporates the key terms into product
*Thoroughly demonstrates understanding and mastery of the standard
* Concepts are connected and explained using details 3 85
Proficient
*Incorporates most of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates understanding of the standard 2 75
Emerging
*Incorporates some of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates partial understanding of the standard 1 65
Incomplete
*Does not incorporate key terms
*Too many inaccuracies to demonstrate understanding of the standard
Comments: Deductions:
Creative! Product is not colored
Excellent product! Product is messy
Proofread your work Grammar, spelling, punctuation
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28. Grading 4
100
Exemplary
*Skillfully incorporates the key terms into product
*Thoroughly demonstrates understanding and mastery of the standard
* Concepts are connected and explained using details 3 85
Proficient
*Incorporates most of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates understanding of the standard 2 75
Emerging
*Incorporates some of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates partial understanding of the standard 1 65
Incomplete
*Does not incorporate key terms
*Too many inaccuracies to demonstrate understanding of the standard
Comments: Deductions:
Creative! Product is not colored
Excellent product! Product is messy
Proofread your work Grammar, spelling, punctuation
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29. Grading 4
100
Exemplary
*Skillfully incorporates the key terms into product
*Thoroughly demonstrates understanding and mastery of the standard
* Concepts are connected and explained using details 3 85
Proficient
*Incorporates most of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates understanding of the standard 2 75
Emerging
*Incorporates some of the key terms into the product
*Demonstrates partial understanding of the standard 1 65
Incomplete
*Does not incorporate key terms
*Too many inaccuracies to demonstrate understanding of the standard
Comments: Deductions:
Creative! Product is not colored
Excellent product! Product is messy
Proofread your work Grammar, spelling, punctuation
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30. Grading 4
100
Exemplary
*Skillfully incorporates key concepts into written response
*Thoroughly demonstrates understanding and mastery of the standard
* Concepts are connected and explained using details 3 85
Proficient
*Incorporates most key concepts into written response
*Demonstrates understanding of the standard 2 75
Emerging
*Incorporates some of the key concepts into written response
*Demonstrates partial understanding of the standard 1 65
Incomplete
*Does not incorporate key concepts or detail to demonstrate learning
*Too many inaccuracies to demonstrate understanding of the standard
Comments: Deductions:
Proofread your work -10 Grammar, punctuation, spelling,
capitalization
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