Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War

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Iraqi History

A. British Mandate

B. British Backed Monarchy

•Post WWII British colony

•King chosen by England

C. Dictatorships

•1958 Baath Revolution

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Thinking Slide:How might Iraqi history affect how they view the Americans & their British allies in the current war in Iraq?

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Baath PartyB. 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

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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

Iraq-Iran War

The World Takes Sides

Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

1) Key Players? -Iraq & Iran2) 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.

Operation Desert Storm

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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

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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

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Persian Gulf War Pictures

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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

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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