The Middle EastThe Middle East

The Cradle of CivilizationThe Cradle of Civilization

The Ancient Middle East The Ancient Middle East

1. Cradle of Civilization1. Cradle of Civilization

• M.E. is region where world’s oldest M.E. is region where world’s oldest civilizations are foundcivilizations are found

• 3 continents (Africa, Europe, Asia) 3 continents (Africa, Europe, Asia) meet in the Middle Eastmeet in the Middle East– Encouraged developmentEncouraged development– Led to spread of culture, ideasLed to spread of culture, ideas– Travel led to tradeTravel led to trade

2. Birthplace of monotheism2. Birthplace of monotheism

• Monotheism- belief in one god Monotheism- belief in one god – The 3 big monotheistic religions began The 3 big monotheistic religions began

in the Middle Eastin the Middle East• JudaismJudaism

• Islam Islam

•Christianity Christianity

Quick Write Quick Write

• How might religion and cultural How might religion and cultural differences lead to conflict in the differences lead to conflict in the Middle Eastern region? What might Middle Eastern region? What might be some conflicts that stem from be some conflicts that stem from cultural diffusioncultural diffusion (the spreading or (the spreading or mixture of various cultures)? mixture of various cultures)?

3. Ancient Mesopotamia 3. Ancient Mesopotamia

• World’s 1World’s 1stst civilization civilization

• Means “Between 2 rivers”Means “Between 2 rivers”

• The TigrisThe Tigris

• The EuphratesThe Euphrates

• Why would civilizations be located Why would civilizations be located near rivers? near rivers?

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia

4. Mesopotamia4. Mesopotamia

• The kingdom of Sumer developed in The kingdom of Sumer developed in Mesopotamia between 4500 and Mesopotamia between 4500 and 4000BC4000BC

• Sumerians created:Sumerians created:– City-states: independent cities w/ own City-states: independent cities w/ own

rulers rulers – Agriculture: first to utilize irrigationAgriculture: first to utilize irrigation– Cuneiform: one of the first forms of writingCuneiform: one of the first forms of writing

Cuneiform Cuneiform

5. Hammurabi5. Hammurabi

• Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) was King Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) was King of Babylonof Babylon

• Invaded and took over SumerInvaded and took over Sumer

• Created Hammurabi’s Code of Laws Created Hammurabi’s Code of Laws – World’s first written code of lawsWorld’s first written code of laws– Followed the concept of ‘an eye for an Followed the concept of ‘an eye for an

eye’eye’

6. Religion6. Religion

• In ancient times, most practiced In ancient times, most practiced polytheismpolytheism

• Exception: IsraelitesException: Israelites– MonotheisticMonotheistic– Origin of JudaismOrigin of Judaism– First form of monotheismFirst form of monotheism

7. Origins of Judaism7. Origins of Judaism

• Known as Israelites (ancestors of Jews)Known as Israelites (ancestors of Jews)

• Holy Book: the TorahHoly Book: the Torah– Old Testament of the BibleOld Testament of the Bible

• Lived in Babylon (Mesopotamia) until their Lived in Babylon (Mesopotamia) until their ejectionejection

• Spread to other areas, including EgyptSpread to other areas, including Egypt– Known as the Known as the DIASPORADIASPORA: the scattering of Jews: the scattering of Jews– Viewed Judah (now Israel) as their ancestral Viewed Judah (now Israel) as their ancestral

home home

8. Abraham8. Abraham

• Known as the ‘father of the Jews’ Known as the ‘father of the Jews’

• Founded Judaism, the first to believe Founded Judaism, the first to believe there was only 1 godthere was only 1 god

• Story goes- Story goes- – God promised Abraham’s descendents God promised Abraham’s descendents

the land of Judah (Israel) in exchange for the land of Judah (Israel) in exchange for him spreading the religionhim spreading the religion

9. Diaspora and its results9. Diaspora and its results

• Jews in Egypt made slaves by the PharaohsJews in Egypt made slaves by the Pharaohs

• Led to freedom by Moses, who took them Led to freedom by Moses, who took them back to Judah (Israel), known as the back to Judah (Israel), known as the ‘EXODUS’‘EXODUS’

• Problem: Others (Arabs) had moved into Problem: Others (Arabs) had moved into Judah while the Jews were in EgyptJudah while the Jews were in Egypt

• MASSIVE conflict over who has HISTORICAL MASSIVE conflict over who has HISTORICAL CLAIM to the land: still goes on today (Israel CLAIM to the land: still goes on today (Israel vs. Palestine) vs. Palestine)

10. Origins of Christianity10. Origins of Christianity

• Jewish baby born in Jerusalem (Jesus) Jewish baby born in Jerusalem (Jesus) sparked the beginnings of sparked the beginnings of ChristianityChristianity

• Local government viewed him as a Local government viewed him as a troublemakertroublemaker– He and his disciples spread the ideas of He and his disciples spread the ideas of

monotheismmonotheism– Tried, convicted, and crucifiedTried, convicted, and crucified

11. Christianity11. Christianity

• Followers believed Jesus was the Followers believed Jesus was the Messiah (son of God), a leader Messiah (son of God), a leader promised to them in the Torahpromised to them in the Torah

• Followers formed Christianity after Followers formed Christianity after Jesus’ deathJesus’ death

• His life and lessons became the New His life and lessons became the New Testament of the BibleTestament of the Bible

12.Origins of Islam12.Origins of Islam

• Based on the Based on the teachings of teachings of Muhammad, the Muhammad, the ‘father of Islam’‘father of Islam’

• Revelations Revelations received by received by Muhammad from Muhammad from Allah (god) make up Allah (god) make up the Islamic Holy the Islamic Holy Book, the Book, the Qur’anQur’an

Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam

13. Muhammad’s life13. Muhammad’s life

• 570 AD born in 570 AD born in MeccaMecca in Arabiain Arabia

• Taught Islamic Taught Islamic teachings for 12 yearsteachings for 12 years– Leaders of Mecca drove Leaders of Mecca drove

Muhammad outMuhammad out– Settled in Settled in MedinaMedina– By Muhammad’s death By Muhammad’s death

at 62, Islam was at 62, Islam was dominant religion in dominant religion in Arabia Arabia

14. Sunni/Shi’a- Division of 14. Sunni/Shi’a- Division of Islam Islam

SunniSunni

Believed Muslim Believed Muslim leadership leadership (caliphate) should (caliphate) should be elected by be elected by Muslims Muslims

Shi’a Shi’a

Believed Muslim Believed Muslim leadership leadership

(caliphate) should (caliphate) should be a direct be a direct

descendent of descendent of Muhammad Muhammad

15. How each views Jesus15. How each views Jesus

• Jews: Jesus is an ordinary Jewish man Jews: Jesus is an ordinary Jewish man

• Christians: the Messiah, or savior, Christians: the Messiah, or savior, God’s son by MaryGod’s son by Mary

• Muslims: a prophet, sent by Allah, Muslims: a prophet, sent by Allah, but not a divine figure but not a divine figure

16. Holy cities16. Holy cities

• Jerusalem: Judaism, Christianity, IslamJerusalem: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

• Mecca: Islam, Muhammad’s birthplaceMecca: Islam, Muhammad’s birthplace

• Medina: Islam, where Muhammad was Medina: Islam, where Muhammad was forced to live forced to live

17. Crossroad of the Known 17. Crossroad of the Known WorldWorld

• Middle East was highly desirable Middle East was highly desirable since it connected 3 continentssince it connected 3 continents

• Power constantly changed handsPower constantly changed hands• 1291- Ottoman Empire was born1291- Ottoman Empire was born

– Capital city: Constantinople (now Capital city: Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey)Istanbul, Turkey)

– Mix of Muslims & ChristiansMix of Muslims & Christians– Lasted until WWI (early 1900’s)Lasted until WWI (early 1900’s)

18. Result of WWI18. Result of WWI

• Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1922 Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1922 after they lost WWI after they lost WWI

• Lost all landLost all land

• Americans and Europeans Americans and Europeans PARTITIONED the land (divided it up) PARTITIONED the land (divided it up) into mandates (region managed by into mandates (region managed by others)others)

19. Results of Partitioning19. Results of Partitioning

• Muslims in Middle East were forced Muslims in Middle East were forced under either French or British controlunder either French or British control

• When partitioning, Europeans paid When partitioning, Europeans paid no attention to who lived whereno attention to who lived where– Redrawing the map led toRedrawing the map led to

•Communities being split apartCommunities being split apart•Communities that had been enemies for Communities that had been enemies for

centuries were forced togethercenturies were forced together•Led to cultural and political disasterLed to cultural and political disaster

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

• What factors do you think the British What factors do you think the British and French were considering when and French were considering when partitioning the fallen Ottoman partitioning the fallen Ottoman Empire? What were the Empire? What were the consequences for the people who consequences for the people who lived there? lived there?

Present Day Middle East Present Day Middle East

20. Aftermath of WWI 20. Aftermath of WWI

• WWI: Sparked by the assassination of WWI: Sparked by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-HungaryArchduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary

• War lasted 4 years, 30 countries involvedWar lasted 4 years, 30 countries involved

• Countries took sides Countries took sides

21. Conflict: Israel vs. 21. Conflict: Israel vs. PalestinePalestine• Jews had been Jews had been

exiled from Israel exiled from Israel (Diaspora)(Diaspora)

• No place to call No place to call their homelandtheir homeland

• In other countries, In other countries, Jews’ rights were Jews’ rights were constantlyconstantly violated violated

22. Zionist Movement22. Zionist Movement

• After centuries of After centuries of abuse, Jews around abuse, Jews around the world established the world established the ZIONIST the ZIONIST movement in the movement in the 1800s1800s– Go back to Israel, their Go back to Israel, their

ancestral homelandancestral homeland– Holiest city (Jerusalem)Holiest city (Jerusalem)– Control their own Control their own

country (Israel)country (Israel)

23. Problem….23. Problem….

• While the Jews were exiled, Arabs had moved While the Jews were exiled, Arabs had moved in and formed a nation called Palestinein and formed a nation called Palestine

• Jews began moving back, despite the Jews began moving back, despite the Palestinians being there…Palestinians Palestinians being there…Palestinians welcomed themwelcomed them

24. The Holocaust24. The Holocaust

• Millions of Jews Millions of Jews killedkilled

• International International community community ‘horrified’ after ‘horrified’ after WWII endedWWII ended

• Jews immigrated Jews immigrated to Palestine in to Palestine in drovesdroves

25. Palestine’s unusual 25. Palestine’s unusual predicament predicament

• Now Jews were supported by much of Now Jews were supported by much of the world in their quest to return to the world in their quest to return to Israel and make it their own Israel and make it their own sovereign nationsovereign nation

• Had been Palestine for 1,000s of Had been Palestine for 1,000s of yearsyears

• Palestinians pushed back Palestinians pushed back

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

• What should England do (they What should England do (they controlled the territory after WWI, so it controlled the territory after WWI, so it was their decision, ultimately)? Should was their decision, ultimately)? Should it become a Jewish state in order to it become a Jewish state in order to ensure that nothing like the Holocaust ensure that nothing like the Holocaust could happen again OR should the Arab could happen again OR should the Arab Palestinians continue their rule over Palestinians continue their rule over the region as long as they protected the region as long as they protected the rights of the Jews living there?  the rights of the Jews living there? 

26. The United Nations26. The United Nations

• G.B. handed the problem off to the G.B. handed the problem off to the U.N.U.N.

• U.N. divided up Palestine in 1948:U.N. divided up Palestine in 1948:– 56% would become a sovereign Jewish 56% would become a sovereign Jewish

countrycountry– Rest of the land belonged to PalestineRest of the land belonged to Palestine– Jerusalem (which both sides wanted) Jerusalem (which both sides wanted)

would be under control of U.N. would be under control of U.N.

27. 1948- a bloody year27. 1948- a bloody year

• Palestine never agreed to U.N.’s termsPalestine never agreed to U.N.’s terms

• The moment British troops left, Palestine The moment British troops left, Palestine (with Arab-country allies) attacked;lost(with Arab-country allies) attacked;lost

• 700,000-800,000 Palestinians forced to 700,000-800,000 Palestinians forced to leaveleave

• Arab countries united to get rid of IsraelArab countries united to get rid of Israel

• Several wars over the next 30 yearsSeveral wars over the next 30 years

Palestinian Territories shrinkPalestinian Territories shrink

28. PLO28. PLO

• Palestinian Liberation Palestinian Liberation OrganizationOrganization– Formed to re-take PalestineFormed to re-take Palestine– Conceded that Jews would Conceded that Jews would

not leave for goodnot leave for good– Shifted focus to creating a Shifted focus to creating a

Palestinian state (country) Palestinian state (country) in West Bank and Gaza in West Bank and Gaza StripStrip

29. Result of conflict29. Result of conflict

• Thousands of people Thousands of people displaceddisplaced – Forced to become refugeesForced to become refugees

• Increased hostilities in Middle EastIncreased hostilities in Middle East

• Rise in power of terrorist groups Rise in power of terrorist groups (taking advantage of government (taking advantage of government instability)instability)

• Still fighting to this day Still fighting to this day

30. Differing ethnic groups 30. Differing ethnic groups

• Ethnic group- people Ethnic group- people united in a shared united in a shared cultureculture

• Three largest groups in Three largest groups in M.E.:M.E.:– Arabs: Islam (speak Arabs: Islam (speak

Arabic)Arabic)– Kurds: Sunni Muslims Kurds: Sunni Muslims

(speak Kurdish)(speak Kurdish)– Persians: Shi’a Muslim Persians: Shi’a Muslim

(speak Farsi) (speak Farsi)

Green= Arabic speaking countriesGreen= Arabic speaking countries

31. Governing the Middle 31. Governing the Middle EastEast• Almost all are unitary (except Israel and Turkey)Almost all are unitary (except Israel and Turkey)• As we’ve learned, several forms fall under this As we’ve learned, several forms fall under this

categorycategory• We’ll compare 3We’ll compare 3: Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran: Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran

32. State of Israel 32. State of Israel

• Parliamentary DemocracyParliamentary Democracy

• Head of StateHead of State: President, elected by legislature : President, elected by legislature (Knesset)(Knesset)– Mostly a figureheadMostly a figurehead

• Head of GovernmentHead of Government: : Prime MinisterPrime Minister, appointed , appointed by Presidentby President– Actually in charge of executive branch: works along with Actually in charge of executive branch: works along with

Knesset to make decisionsKnesset to make decisions

– Literacy rate: 97%Literacy rate: 97%

33. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 33. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• MonarchyMonarchy

• Head of State and Head of State and Government: KINGGovernment: KING

• No citizen No citizen participationparticipation

• Literacy rate: 76%Literacy rate: 76%

34. Islamic Republic of Iran34. Islamic Republic of Iran

• Head of State: Ayatollah (the supreme Head of State: Ayatollah (the supreme religious leader)- lifetime appointment, religious leader)- lifetime appointment, elected by assembly of expertselected by assembly of experts– Appoints all government officialsAppoints all government officials

• Head of Government: PresidentHead of Government: President– Actually enforces the ConstitutionActually enforces the Constitution

– Government based on religion (Islam)Government based on religion (Islam)– Literacy rate: 85%Literacy rate: 85%

35. OPEC=OIL35. OPEC=OIL

• A confederation of countries with one A confederation of countries with one interest in mind: interest in mind: OILOIL

• OOrganization of rganization of PPetroleum (oil) etroleum (oil) EExporting xporting CCountriesountries

• 4 countries in M.E.: Iran, Iraq, Saudi 4 countries in M.E.: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, KuwaitArabia, Kuwait

• Decide how much to produce, who to Decide how much to produce, who to sell to, how much to sell forsell to, how much to sell for

36. U.S. get involved in Middle 36. U.S. get involved in Middle EastEast

• Persian Gulf WarPersian Gulf War– President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein (a President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein (a

brutal dictator) invades Kuwait to brutal dictator) invades Kuwait to control their oil supply control their oil supply

– Border nations afraid they’re nextBorder nations afraid they’re next– U.S. comes to Kuwait’s aid and pushes U.S. comes to Kuwait’s aid and pushes

Saddam back Saddam back •‘‘lightning’ attack: it takes only 4 days to lightning’ attack: it takes only 4 days to

defeat Iraqdefeat Iraq

Persian Gulf WarPersian Gulf War

37. September 1137. September 11thth, 2001, 2001

• Al Qaeda, a militant and extremist Islamic Al Qaeda, a militant and extremist Islamic terrorist group attacks U.S.terrorist group attacks U.S.– 2 passenger planes fly directly into the World 2 passenger planes fly directly into the World

Trade Center in NYCTrade Center in NYC– 1 plane flies into Pentagon1 plane flies into Pentagon– 1 plane crashes in Pennsylvania field 1 plane crashes in Pennsylvania field

– Why would Al Qaeda, who rejected the idea of Why would Al Qaeda, who rejected the idea of U.S. dominance in the world, target these two U.S. dominance in the world, target these two buildings? (HINT: think symbolically)buildings? (HINT: think symbolically)

38. U.S. invades 38. U.S. invades AfghanistanAfghanistan

• Extremely unstable country Extremely unstable country

• Controlled mostly by the Taliban, Controlled mostly by the Taliban, extremist Islamic groupextremist Islamic group

• Al Qaeda, another terrorist group, Al Qaeda, another terrorist group, attacks U.S. on September 11attacks U.S. on September 11thth, , 2001: mastermind was Osama bin 2001: mastermind was Osama bin Laden, based in Afghanistan Laden, based in Afghanistan

39. U.S. invades Iraq39. U.S. invades Iraq

• Begins when Saddam Hussein (dictator Begins when Saddam Hussein (dictator of Iraq) refuses U.S. ultimatum- 2002of Iraq) refuses U.S. ultimatum- 2002– Bush believed Hussein was hiding Al Bush believed Hussein was hiding Al

Qaeda members and weapons of mass Qaeda members and weapons of mass destructiondestruction

• Gave Hussein 48 hours to leave IraqGave Hussein 48 hours to leave Iraq– He didn’tHe didn’t– U.S. began bombing IraqU.S. began bombing Iraq

40. Hussein’s reign ends40. Hussein’s reign ends

• Hussein was Hussein was captured in 2003captured in 2003

• Tried and executed Tried and executed for crimes against for crimes against humanity (torture, humanity (torture, murder, genocide)murder, genocide)

• Found guiltyFound guilty• Executed in 2006 Executed in 2006

(hanged)(hanged)