A (Brief) History of the Middle East

Prehistoric Peoples

Hunters & gatherers (10,000 yrs ago) farming communities H&Gs: throughout North Africa, SW & C Asia Farming: Nile, Mediterranean, Taurus & Zagros Mountains

Farmers were the first to domesticate animals, or to take them from the wild & make them useful for people Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs & camels Uses: Food, clothes, shelters

Early Civilizations

Rose in the most fertile areas around 6,000 years ago

Fertile Crescent: Home of the Sumerian Civ. Great success in science, math & engineering First code of law: Code of Hammurabi—”eye for an eye” Record-keeping = cuneiform (wedge-shaped symbols written on wet clay tablets that

were later hardened) Mesopotamia: a part of the Fertile Crescent

Area between Tigris & Euphrates World’s first culture hearth, or centers in which cultures developed & spread outward

Egyptians Settled along Nile Sophisticated irrigation system during dry season = 2 crops! 365-day calendar Hieroglypics: form of picture writing

Phoenicians: created writing that eventually was the background for the ALPHABET!

cuneiform

Hieroglyphics

Empires Persian Empire: 500s BC

From Nile River & Aegean Sea to Central Asia Constructed system called qanats (underground canals) to carry water from mountains

across desert to farmland Used because otherwise, water would evaporate!

100BC : Silk Road allowed some cities to become successful trading stations “crossroads of civilization” Major cities used as trading stations Travelers & merchants traded Chinese silks, Indian cotton…and IDEAS!

Nomads traveled across the region in search for grasslands for their herds

Some (Mongols) invaded lands Mongolian Empire established in 1200s under Genghis Khan

Mongols under Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan: Leader of Mongols

Invaded many central Asian lands beginning in 1100s

Killed LOTS of people, ended up conquering a LOT of land

Positive things they brought to the regions: Paper money Safer trade routes

Ethnic & Religious Conflicts

Israel & Palestine: A 50-Year Conflict

Background Israel was called “Palestine” before 1948. Both Jews and Arabs have religious roots to Palestine/Israel; each

group claims it as their homeland. Jews kicked out of Palestine many years ago; in the meantime,

Muslims settled there

The beginning Jews wanted to come back to their homeland because they were

being persecuted against Zionist idea: coming back would make them safe

Arabs unhappy! Jews begin to immigrate in anyway

Israel & Palestine

WW1 & WW2 WW1 established Britain as the country to control Palestine WW2 allowed British and American sentiment to the Jews

Why? more Jewish immigration into Palestine!

United Nations create boundary proposal in 1947; Palestinians (Muslims) reject it

Establishment of Israel Britain establishes the Jewish state of Israel in May, 1948 WAR!

The Events & Agreement

Constant warfare over time Six Day War

Resolutions & Agreement Camp David Agreement: Jimmy Carter (1978)

Between Egypt & Israel Sinai would be released to Egypt; agreed to negotiate about having

an autonomous government in the West Bank & Gaza Strip Camp David Summit: Bill Clinton (2000)

Tried for negotiations…but still divided today, especially when violence resumed in 2002

Gulf Wars Iraq-Iran War: 1980-1988

War over border disputes between Iraq & Iran from 1980-1988

Persian Gulf War: 1990s Iraq vs. Kuwait Began when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, took over oil fields U.S., other Middle Eastern countries teamed up together to get

Hussein out of Kuwait; succeed! Also placed an embargo, or trade ban, against Iraq

“As long as oil is still the #1 energy producer, oil-purchasing countries will work to protect it!”

Arab Spring(Still Ongoing)

Brief Background Series of protests in the Middle East

December 2010-present

Began with “burning man” protest in Tunisia Protests of police corruption

Why? Some factors: Absolute rule no voice in the people Government corruption Human rights violations Wealthy gov. with people in poverty Unemployment

To date: Governments overthrown in Tunisia, Libya & Egypt Civil disorder in Syria & Yemen Major protests in Algeria and Iraq (and now Syria)

Egypt

Height: January 25-February 11, 2011

Inspired by “burning man” protest in Tunisia

Mainly non-violent demonstrations, civil marches

Call for President Mubarak’s resignation

Government response Internet is shut down from January 27-February 5, 2011 Foreign journalists jailed, some beaten (eventually released) Mubarak claims he would not step down

A day after refusing to step down, Mubarak resigns as president & leaves Cairo

Libya February 2011-October 2011

Protest corrupt leadership of Muammar Gaddafi Natural resource, petroleum, contributed to high GDP per capita; people still living in poverty, still

high unemployment rates Also poor healthcare system, untreated sewage

Protests CIVIL WAR

UN’s role: Security Council froze assets of Mubarak, which prevented them from travelling too far Established no-fly zone to protect attacks on civilians

Interim governing body replaced Gaddafi government in September

Gaddafi captured & killed on October 20,2011

Still clashes and conflicts in the region

“We’ll stay here until the pain is gone.”

Rebels celebrating the death of Gaddafi

ONGOING: Syria March 2011-present

Began with protesting the torture of students who had put up anti-government graffiti

Crackdowns by President Bashar al-Assad open fire on demonstrators

U.N.’s role Tried to pass them through security council, but was stopped by

Russia & China

Currently protesting in almost all major cities, including the city of Homs and capital city of Damascus

CIVIL WAR! Christians, others fleeing to Iraq