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Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War . Iraqi History. A. British Mandate. Post WWII British colony. B. British Backed Monarchy. King chosen by England. C. Dictatorships. 1958 Baath Revolution. Thinking Slide:.
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Iraqi History A. British Mandate • Post WWII British colony B. British Backed Monarchy • King chosen by England C. Dictatorships • 1958 Baath Revolution
Thinking Slide: How might Iraqi history affect how they view the Americans & their British allies in the current war in Iraq?
Baath Party B. What does it do? • Secular (non-religious) government • Uses oil $ for government projects • Hussein begins to eliminate opponents HUSSEIN CARD AS PART OF DECK OF 55 CARDS OF US CHARACTERS WANTED Reuters/CORBIS
That all changes with the Iran-Iraq War • Iranian Revolution A. Why? • Pro-western Shah unpopular because of his alliance w/US & secret police B. How? • Religious (Shiite) revolution C. Results • Fear in most neighboring Middle Eastern countries, especially majority Shiite Iraq
Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) 1) Key Players? -Iraq & Iran 2) Cause? Immediate- border dispute (oil) 3) Saddam’s Invasion? -Hoped to gain control of rich oil fields on border -“Church & State” argument -Iraq was secular -Iran was Islamic
4) Assumptions? -Saddam believed victory would be easy 5) Cease-Fire? -Attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf attracted U.S. and U.N. Oil exports were reduced leaving Iraq and Iran struggling economically. Both agreed to a cease-fire in Aug 1988.
Persian Gulf War (the 1st one!) • Why? 1.Iraq’s claimed to the land 2. Claimed Kuwait was stealing oil (“slant drilling”) 3. $ owed to countries Kuwait 4.Hussein thought no one would stop him
Persian Gulf War • Claimed Kuwait as part of Iraq • Saudi Arabia threaten • United Nations • United States and Arab coalition • Within days Iraqi forces surrender
Persian Gulf War (the 1st one!) • What happened?? • US invades w/full UN backing • US bombs Iraqi military & civilian infrastructure • We make no attempt to hold Iraqi towns or capture Saddam Hussein
Persian Gulf War (the 1st one!) • Results? UN Embargo & Oil for Food Program Peace Terms: • Iraq accepts border with Kuwait, surrenders all WMDs, destroys all WMD production capability • Iraq can sell oil in exchange for food & medicine
Thinking Slide: Do you think a program like the “oil for food” program was a good one given the situation at the time?
Afterwards • Saddam is still is power • Trade sanctions • Removed only if UN inspectors can visit • What do you think UN inspectors were looking for? • Chemical Weapons and WMDs • Causes US and British to do air raids
Gulf War Syndrome • Joint pain, fatigue, loss of muscle control, headaches • Causes? No one really knows • Nerve gas • Oil well fires • Anthrax Vaccine