Iraq in the Modern WorldIraq in the Modern World

World HistoryWorld History

Iraq in the Middle EastIraq in the Middle East

Iraq is located right in the Iraq is located right in the center of the region we call center of the region we call the Middle East.the Middle East.

It became a British It became a British mandate after World War I mandate after World War I and a monarchy soon and a monarchy soon after.after.

Saddam Hussein would Saddam Hussein would take control as a dictator in take control as a dictator in 1979.1979.

The Religion of IraqThe Religion of Iraq

There are two types of There are two types of Muslims; Shiites and Muslims; Shiites and Sunnis.Sunnis.

Three religious Three religious disagreement is over a disagreement is over a thousand years old.thousand years old.

Most of the people in Iraq Most of the people in Iraq are Shiite.are Shiite.

There are also Kurds, a There are also Kurds, a separate ethnic group in separate ethnic group in the North.the North.

Saddam Hussein Comes to Saddam Hussein Comes to PowerPower

Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein becomes the dictator becomes the dictator of Iraq in 1979.of Iraq in 1979.

He killed all those who He killed all those who opposed him.opposed him.

He was a Sunni He was a Sunni Muslim. They are the Muslim. They are the minority but held all of minority but held all of the power.the power.

Saddam goes to WarSaddam goes to War

In 1980, Saddam Hussein In 1980, Saddam Hussein will try to occupy a will try to occupy a disputed region on the disputed region on the border with Iran.border with Iran.

This will lead to a major This will lead to a major war called the Iran-Iraq war called the Iran-Iraq War.War.

The US will SUPPORT The US will SUPPORT Iraq in this war.Iraq in this war.

Why Would the US support Iraq?Why Would the US support Iraq?

In 1953, the United States In 1953, the United States helped to put the Shah of helped to put the Shah of Iran in power.Iran in power.

He had many enemies, He had many enemies, and was overthrown in and was overthrown in 1979.1979.

He was overthrown by He was overthrown by Islamic militants who Islamic militants who wanted a theocracy, or wanted a theocracy, or completely religious completely religious country.country.

The Ayatollah takes OverThe Ayatollah takes Over

In 1979, Ayatollah In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini takes over Khomeini takes over Iran and creates a Iran and creates a theocracy.theocracy.

The government The government allows the US allows the US embassy to be seized embassy to be seized by militants and 52 by militants and 52 Americans were held Americans were held hostage for over a hostage for over a year.year.

Reasons to Support IraqReasons to Support Iraq

The US was angry with The US was angry with Iran for the hostage Iran for the hostage crisis.crisis.

The US did not want The US did not want Islamic states in the Islamic states in the Middle East.Middle East.

The Soviet Union The Soviet Union supported Iran, so the supported Iran, so the US supported Iraq.US supported Iraq.

Iraq During the Iran / Iraq WarIraq During the Iran / Iraq War

The war would continue The war would continue from 1980 to 1988. from 1980 to 1988.

Millions would die and no Millions would die and no one would really win.one would really win.

Saddam Hussein would Saddam Hussein would regularly use chemical regularly use chemical weapons, the first time weapons, the first time they were used since they were used since World War I.World War I.

He will also use them He will also use them against people he believes against people he believes are against him in his own are against him in his own country.country.

The Persian Gulf WarThe Persian Gulf War

In 1990, Saddam In 1990, Saddam invades his small but invades his small but oil-rich neighbor, oil-rich neighbor, Kuwait.Kuwait.

He wants the oil and He wants the oil and access to the Persian access to the Persian Gulf.Gulf.

Kuwait is quickly Kuwait is quickly defeated.defeated.

The Persian Gulf WarThe Persian Gulf War

Iraq is quickly defeated by Iraq is quickly defeated by a US led coalition.a US led coalition.

Saddam is forced out of Saddam is forced out of Kuwait but remains in Kuwait but remains in power.power.

After the war, Shiite After the war, Shiite uprisings took place uprisings took place against Saddam and he against Saddam and he brutally crushed them, brutally crushed them, killing and torturing huge killing and torturing huge numbers of people. numbers of people.

Iraq After the Persian Gulf WarIraq After the Persian Gulf War

No fly-zones were set up No fly-zones were set up to protect the people of to protect the people of Iraq from Saddam Iraq from Saddam Hussein.Hussein.

The United Nations said The United Nations said that Weapons of Mass that Weapons of Mass Destruction must be Destruction must be destroyed throughout Iraq. destroyed throughout Iraq. These include chemical These include chemical and biological weapons.and biological weapons.

Buildup to a New WarBuildup to a New War

In 2002, The United State In 2002, The United State and Great Britain believed and Great Britain believed that Saddam still had that Saddam still had WMD’s.WMD’s.

The US, led by president The US, led by president Bush, invaded in 2003.Bush, invaded in 2003.

Saddam was quickly Saddam was quickly toppled.toppled.

No WMD’s have been No WMD’s have been found to this point.found to this point.

Saddam is ToppledSaddam is Toppled

Saddam’s government Saddam’s government is toppled relatively is toppled relatively quickly.quickly.

He is captured and He is captured and later executed by the later executed by the new Iraqi government.new Iraqi government.

No weapons of mass No weapons of mass destruction have been destruction have been found.found.

New ProblemsNew Problems

Saddam’s government falls in Saddam’s government falls in April, 2003.April, 2003.

New problems have emerged New problems have emerged for the United States.for the United States.

Shiites and Sunnis have Shiites and Sunnis have clashed repeatedly.clashed repeatedly.

Many Iraqis have also attacked Many Iraqis have also attacked US troops. Most troops have US troops. Most troops have been killed by IED’s (Improvised been killed by IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devises).Explosive Devises).

Terrorists from other countries Terrorists from other countries have also move to Iraq to attack have also move to Iraq to attack US troops.US troops.

Iraq TodayIraq Today

Iraq remains at the brink of Iraq remains at the brink of a civil war between Shiites a civil war between Shiites and Sunnis.and Sunnis.

The United States has The United States has large number of troops in large number of troops in the country.the country.

They do not plan to leave They do not plan to leave until they believe the Iraqi until they believe the Iraqi government can support government can support itself without them.itself without them.