THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST DEVELOPS

1940s-1970’s

THE PEOPLEMajority are Arab

Arabs are not the same as Muslims

Iranians are not ArabsDominant religion is Muslim

Minority population of Jews (except in Israel), Christians and others

About 25% of the world’s Muslims are Arab

INFLUENCES Southwest Asia (Middle East) is the

cross-roads of three continentsIt has been the world’s most vibrant

trading center for thousands of yearsInfluences from Africa, Asia and

Europe are evident Religion plays a HUGE role in everyday

lifeSome countries are more secular,

but none like the U.S.

DIVERSITY BRINGS CHALLENGE

KURDS SEEK FREEDOM Homeland divided among Iran, Iraq, Syria

and Turkey at the end of WWIMinority in every countryFace severe discrimination

Major tensions in TurkeyKurdish rebels fought for freedom from

Turkey beginning in 1960’s1970’s, it was illegal to speak Kurdish language in Turkey

Kurdish language legalized in 1991 Brutal treatment in Iraq

ISRAEL IS FOUNDED British supported Jewish national homeland in

PalestineHolocaust added worldwide support

1947- U.N. drew up a plan to divide Palestine between Arab and Jews

1948- Britain withdrew from Palestine Jewish proclaimed an independent state

Israel developed rapidlySkilled, educated work forceFormed Kubbutzim- collective farm

Arab states launched several unsuccessful attacks

Arab states launched several unsuccessful attacks

Jews moved to Israel from all areas of the world

In 1948, wars caused 100,000 Palestinian refugees to flee Israeli territoryMany Jews fled from Arab lands

POLITICAL SYSTEMS LIMIT FREEDOM

Autocratic governments (one person possesses unlimited power) rule in most independent Middle East nations after WWIIMilitaristic Leaders

Hereditary MonarchsJordan & Saudi Arabia

The only stable, multiparty democratic systems (until 2005) Turkey and Israel

OIL EQUALS POWER

STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF MIDDLE EAST Major oil reserves

Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and U.A.E.All are members of Organization of

Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

1973- OPEC blocked oil shipments to U.S.Triggered a worldwide recession

Since the 1970’s, OPEC focused more on regulating the price of oil, not taking political stands

ISLAM CONFRONTS MODERN WORLD

EVERY MIDDLE EAST NATION RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY…

Some adopt Western economics, government, and/or lawFor many people, life does not

improve

Islamists= conservative reformersBlame Western ways for

region’s problems