The Middle East
In Transition
Chapter 27
THEMES
• Interest of Arab nations to end western domination.
• Middle Eastern (ME) governments taking a strong role in
economic development
• Oil wealth divided in the M.E. between rich and poor
nations
• Effects of rapid urbanization and population growth.
• Iran/Egypt/Turkeys routes toward modernization
Arab Nationalism
• Following World War II
• Newly independent ME countries
• Reminded of great Arab Empires that had
ruled the ME in the past.
Gamal Abdel Nasser
• Restore Egyptian Nationalism
• Nationalize Suez Canal
• Symbolically ended European
imperialism in the Middle East
Pan – Arabism
• Unite ALL Arabs under common language
and culture.
• Opposition to western culture.
– The Arab League of 1945
The Arab League
• GOAL:
• “draw closer the relations between member States
and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to
safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and
to consider in a general way the affairs and interests
of the Arab countries.”
The Arab League
• Why create it?
– A unified Arab state would be a major world power.
– Strong enough to end western domination.
• QUESTIONS:
– What are the benefits to Arab countries for creating the Arab League?
– What are disadvantages of creating an Arab League?
• (think in terms of the individual Arab state)
– Given the goal of the Arab League, do you believe the Arab League could
achieve its goal? Support your answer
Obstacles to Unity
• State Nationalism
– Loyalty to state over union
• Each state pursues its own goals, not those of the union.
– Diverse religious and ethnic groups opposed the union.
– No geographic unity
– Settlements scattered throughout
– Economic gaps between rich and poor ME counties.
• Created rivalries
Forms of Government
• Following World War II:
– Often “strongman rule”
• Usually one identifiable leader with powerful
influence over most governmental operations.
• Dictators
– Strong central government
Nasser
Forms of Government
• Most are Republics
• Exceptions:
• Saudi Arabia
– King has absolute power
• Jordan
Abdul Aziz
– Constitutional monarchy
– Elected parliament (king holds most power)
Turkey & Israel
• Multiparty States
• Free elections
• More political freedoms
– Certain groups are denied rights
Islamic Law
• Islam:
– Past – used to be the religion and the basis for
government.
– Koran
– Highest authority for Shariah
• What is the highest authority in the United States?
– Shariah – sacred law of Islam
Islamic Law
• Shariah
• Governs all aspects of Muslim life.
– Sets rules for behavior in the following realms:
• Political
• Social
• Economic
Critical Thinking
• Consider if the United States was governed by the
laws of the Koran/Bible/or Torah.
• Choose one:
• How would the laws of the United States be different?
– How would life in the United States be different in the
following realms:
• Political
• Social
• Economic
Challenges to Stability
• Variety of Sources:
– Ethnic groups
– Population growth and urbanization
• Place strains on government
– Widespread illiteracy; poverty
• Conflict in Lebanon
• CIVIL WAR
– A conflict over ethnic/religious factions
– Christian majority, Muslim minority.
• Christians maintained control of key seats in government while in
majority, but as the Muslim population grew, Christians did not want
to peacefully surrender their power in government.
Islamic Fundamentalism
• Reasons behind fundamentalism:
• Middle East
– Adopting western technology
• Led to:
– Adoption of elements of western culture
– Replaced Islamic Law with law following western
principals
– Western music/schools/clothing/food
– Some stopped veiling their faces
Islamic Fundamentalism
• Demanded a return to traditional Islamic
values, customs, and traditions as specified
in the Koran.
• Shariah must be the basis of law.
• Authority restored to religious leaders.
• Strict separation of men and women in public.
REVIEW
• Identify:
– Pan-Arabism
– Shariah
– Islamic Fundamentalism
• Respond:
• How were both Arab nationalism and Islamic
fundamentalism a response to western
domination?
• What are some causes of instability in the Middle
East?
• What were obstacles to unity under the Arab
League?
Changing Economic and Social Patterns
Economic Independence
• Independence from European domination
– Manufacturing
– Oil
• All controlled by Europe/West
Arab Socialism
• Socialism
– Government takes control of industry
– Used by many Middle Eastern countries to take
control of key industries.
• Still relied heavily on west for technology and
know-how.
Population Change
• Rapid population growth
• Problems:
• Limited farmland
• Limited water
• Egypt
– Tripled since 1962
– 17 million  58 Million (1993)
Developing Agriculture
• Goal:
• Increase water supply
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Tools:
Irrigation
Dams
Desalinization
– Converting sea water to fresh water for drinking
• Ex. Aswan high Dam in Egypt
The Role of Oil
• Middle East
• 60% of the world’s oil reserves
• Persian Gulf
– Rich in oil
• Kuwait
• Iraq
• Iran
• Saudi Arabia
• Libya
Oil
• OPEC
• Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
• Original members:
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Iran
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Venezuela
OPEC
• What does it do?
– Sets oil prices
– Decides how much oil to produce
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Cost of a Barrel of Oil:
$2 1960’s
$14 1970’s
$44 1980’s
$150 (July 2008)
$41 Today
OPEC
• Prices:
– Effect the world economy
– Can be used as a political weapon
• Israel ( 1973 )
OPEC
Two Wars in the Persian Gulf
• Iran – Iraq War (1980-88)
• Sadam Hussein (Sunni) invaded Iran
• Iran supported Iraqi Shiites
• Key factor : Oil
– Ended by UN Cease-fire with neither side achieving its
goals
• U.S. Response:
• Sent in warships to the gulf to protect oil tankers
Persian Gulf War
• Iraq (1991)
• In debt from war with Iran
• Invades Kuwait
– Why?
• Claimed it belonged to Iraq
• Rich oil fields to pay off debt
• United Nations, led by the United States, pushed
Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.
ESSAY
• Explain the strategic significance of the
Middle East. Consider the following in your
essay:
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Natural resources
Geographic location
Transportation
Religion