The ‘isms of the Middle East…
Nationalism, Islamism,
Extremism & Terrorism
VII. Military rule, Arab Nationalism, and Oil Power (1948-1973)
A. The 1948 “Humiliation” led to problems for the Arab
monarchies:
1. Numerous political assassinations during 1950’s
2. Syria, Iraq, and Egypt’s kings were all overthrown
by military coups in the 1950’s
B. New military dictators in Syria, Iraq, and Egypt wanted
to create a “Giant Arab” State. It would include all Arabs
and look something like the great Arab Empire of the 600’s900’s. They ran into three big problems, :
1. Where would the Capital
city for the new empire be
located?
2. Lack of success against Israel (b/c of Western Support)
3. Arabs outside Egypt, Syria, and Iraq didn’t want to live under
the control of another Arab nations leader
C. Nations in the Middle East began nationalizing their oil
supplies. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries was
created in 1960.
D. Iran nationalized its oil supplies in 1951, but we sent in
the CIA for spoil their plans.
VIII. The Rise of “Islamism” (1979-Today)
A. After losing to Israel in 1973 the Arab world lost
trust in Arab Nationalism. They now looked to Islam to
unite and strengthen them. Religious political parties like
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood began to gain power.
B. The leaders in the Middle East were NOT very religious.
As a result they tried to crush the new political
movements in the following ways:
1. Violent repression of religious political groups
2. Giving a great deal of power to religious leaders/clerics
-(Ayatollah in Iran)
 The leaders successes infuriated the religious groups who
resorted to violence and terrorism as their only means of
political power.
D. There were several notable successes for the Islamist groups:
1. In 1979 Shi’ite Muslim militants took over Iran. Sources in Iran
continue to fund and arm terrorist groups in the region,
including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine (West Bank).
2. During the 1980’s Sunni Muslim militants fought
against and defeated the USSR in Afghanistan. This
was where Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda got their start.
E. Currently this movement has spread throughout the region to all
corners of the Arab world, including parts of northern Africa.
 Places like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria have all seen major
uprisings within the past 5 years…these revolutions have been
referred to as the “Arab Spring”.
IX. Islamic Fundamentalism and Terrorism
A. Fundamentalism -
The belief that returning to the past can solve present problems,
often
B. Islamic Fundamentalists believe that 1400 years ago was the
best society. It was one Islamic empire from Spain to Iran
following the Koran.
C. As Middle Eastern nations became more western, groups
developed to protect Islamic culture.
 Develops when modernization is well-established, so a reaction against it
because:
• deep disappointment with modernity
• fear of secularism, liberalism and its values
• pushing religion from the sidelines back to the center
• begins as an internal dispute within own culture/country
Ex. opposing westernizing leaders or policies
-return to a “golden age”
– overstressing traditional values
Ex. putting women back into veils
1. The Naqshbandi
Want to return to a pure form of Islam through education.
2. The Wahhabis
A form of Islam which would purify the religion.
D. The fundamentalists adopted the idea of jihad to define their fight. In
classical times, Jihad meant to spread Islam and the Arab Empire, "by word
or by sword" to non Muslims. TO MODERN MUSLIMS, it has three major
meanings.
1. To strive to become a better Muslim
2. To strive to non violently spread the faith to non-believers
3. To strive to defend Islam
E. Fundamentalism is a strong movement in the Middle East, but it does not
reflect the views of everyone. There is also a difference between
fundamentalists and terrorists. Most fundamentalists are NOT
terrorists.
X. Terrorism
A. Terrorism -
Targeting innocent people to disrupt their way of life or
frighten them to achieve a political or economic goal
B. Who are terrorists?
1. Repressive Governments
a. Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein
2. Left wing Extremists - Freedom Fighters
a. The Irish Republican Army
b. The Palestinian Arabs
c. Chechen rebels
3. Right wing Extremists
a. Ku Klux Klan
b. Timothy McVeigh
c. Osama bid Laden
The leftist Red Youth
Avant-garde (AKM) stages
an anti-government rally
in Moscow.
C. What makes a person resort to terrorism?
1. Hopelessness –
Many people are living in poverty.
2. Population –
A large population with 50% under the age of 15.
3. Government –
The promise them a better life, but they never
experience it.
4. Western media –
Seeing the wealth of western nations on television.
5. Lack of political rights-
a. Corrupt "Western Style" authoritarian leaders.
b. Lack of political freedoms.
6. Raised that way
7. Education –
Privately funded schools which teach radical Islamic viewpoints.
a. Some attend right wing fundamentalist or
extremist Madrassahs and are taught a violent
form of Islam.
b. Madrassahs –
Religious schools
D. Who do Islamic terrorist groups target?
1. Any corrupt western style government.
2. Moderate Muslims who do not agree with them.
3. Anyone who supports the creation of Israel.
4. American culture which is corrupting their society.
(Examples include McDonald's, Coke, and movies.)
5. Conflict over religion. (Christianity vs. Islam)
6. Strong western military presence in the Middle East. There are
troops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the Persian Gulf, Philippines,
Yemen, Afghanistan, and Turkey.
In the news… ISIS
• Stands for “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria”
• Broke off of Al Qaeda in Iraq
• Are Sunni Muslims, wanting to take over the Shiite run government
in Iraq
• Began growing during the civil war and chaos in Syria
• Uses acts of terror as its primary weapon
For More Info…http://abcnews.go.com/WN/fullpage/isis-trail-terror-isis-threat-us-25053190
1. Does this cartoon illustrate nationalism, Islamism, extremism or
terrorism?
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3. What is the message of this cartoon?
1. Does this cartoon illustrate nationalism, Islamism, extremism
or terrorism?
2. How do you know?
3. What is the message of this cartoon?
1. Does this cartoon illustrate nationalism, Islamism, extremism
or terrorism?
2. How do you know?
3. What is the message of this cartoon?
1. Does this cartoon illustrate nationalism, Islamism, extremism
or terrorism?
2. How do you know?
3. What is the message of this cartoon?