1. Nationalism in the Middle East
Essential Question: How Does What We Believe Influence How We Behave?

2. Arab Independence
Following World War II, nationalist movements took hold in the Middle East.
Post World War I Agreements- Left France and Britain in control of much of the region.
Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan all achieved independence from Britain.
Lebanon and Syria won their freedom from France.

3. Middle East After World War I

4. Middle East in the 1920’s

5. Present-Day Middle East

6. Arab Unity
Although independence movements were successful, western influences remained strong.
Pan-Arabism movement- Designed to build closer cultural and political ties among Arabs.
The main target group of this movement centered on the educated urban middle class.

7. Arab League
Eventually in 1945, leaders of Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (Jordan), Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen formed the Arab League.
Its mission was to unify the Arab world.
In 1956, General Nasser (Egypt) nationalized the Suez Canal despite pressure from the French and British.
Nasser helped increase an already growing trend of Arab nationalism.

8. Egypt/General Nasser

9. Present-Day Arab League

10. Arab Socialism
Arab Socialism- In the 1950’s, Governments took control of large sections of the economies. (Utilities, transportation, telephone, etc.)
Also, many ME countries nationalized foreign-owned industries like banking, oil, and food processing.
The goal was to reduce the reliance on the West. Why?