Middle East – Standards “Walk-Away” – Main Ideas
SS7G5a, SS7G5b - LOCATION
You have to be able to identify these places on a map:
Physical Feature: Euphrates River, Jordan River, Tigris River, Suez Canal, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and
Gaza Strip.
Countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
SS7G6a – ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Water is very scarce in the Middle East. It has a very hot and dry climate, which makes this an even bigger issue. The limited fresh
water supplies must be shared and this often results in conflict over water rights. The main fresh water sources that are shared include
the Jordan River, Euphrates River, and Tigris River. Any water pollution at all further decreases the amount of fresh water available to
drink and use for irrigation. People MUST have water to live.
SS7G7a – IMPACT OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY – NATURAL RESOURCE (OIL)
Oil has brought a tremendous amount of wealth to the region, but it is controlled by government leaders. The world depends on oil,
which makes this region very important. Lifestyles have changed because people have an opportunity to work in jobs related to the oil
industry.
SS7G7b – IMPACT OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY – DESERTS & RIVERS
Most of the region is desert. People want to live near fresh water sources OR near the coast. Overall, the region lacks efficient modern
systems of transportation (roads, airports, trains, etc.) Travelling by foot, bike, or camel is common. Major cities are located near
water. This is where people find jobs.
SS7G8b – CULTURE – ETHNIC GROUPS
Most of the population in the Middle East is Arab. Most (not all) Arabs are Muslims. Most Muslims are Sunni. Jews are both an ethnic
group and a religious group. Jews believe in Judaism. Persians trace their origins to Iran (formerly known as Persia). Most Persians are
Shia Muslims. Kurds live in the mountainous regions of Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.
SS7G8c – CULTURE - RELIGION
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic religions that developed in the Middle East. They all have ties to Jerusalem. They all
have an important figure (Abraham, Jesus, Mohammad) that shaped their beliefs. They all have a sacred text (Torah, Bible, Koran).
Jews and Muslims acknowledge Jesus as a prophet. Christians believe Jesus was the messiah and the son of God.
SS7G8d – CULTURE – SUNNI/SHIA SPLIT
After the death of Muhammad, Muslims split into 2 groups (also called “sects” or “factions”). They disagreed about the leadership of
their religion. The group known as “Sunnis” believe the most qualified person should lead the religion. The group known as “Shias”
believe that their leader should be a descendant of Muhammad. Most Muslims are Sunni.
SS7G8e – CULTURE – EFFECT OF LITERACY RATE
There is usually a high correlation between the literacy rate and the standard of living. Knowing the literacy rate helps make a
prediction of what it’s like in a country. The literacy rate in the Middle East has improved over recent years, but it is still low
compared to the United States. Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gaza Strip are places with low literacy rates. Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia
have relatively high literacy rates. Israel has the highest literacy rate in the Middle East, at 97%.
SS7CG5a – GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS
Israel has a parliamentary democracy, led by a prime minister. Citizens get to vote for members of parliament (legislative branch).
Saudi Arabia has a monarchy, led by a king. Iran is a theocracy, which is heavily influenced by Islam, and is led by the Supreme
Leader, who is more powerful than the elected president. Human rights and personal freedoms are often denied in Saudi Arabia and
Iran, even though they can vote.
SS7E5c – ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
All countries are located somewhere on the “economic continuum”.
Israel – mixed market, most diversified economy in M.E., able to grow its own food
Saudi Arabia – started traditional, oil changed it, now a command economy, controlled by king, extreme wealth, moving to a mixed
market, government controls oil
Turkey - historically command, moving towards mixed market, government has major role in industry, banking, transportation,
communication
SS7E6a – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY TRADE - SPECIALIZATION
Specialization – focusing on one area and becoming the best at it. Using that product/skill to trade for what you don’t have. Saudi
Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait specialize in oil industry & export to the world. Middle East imports their needs; food, medicine, raw
materials.
SS7E6b – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY TRADE – TRADE BARRIERS
Tariffs (tax on imports) and Quotas (limits on imports) help protect domestic producers. They make it more expensive to buy imported
goods. Embargos stop trade altogether and are used for political reasons. Man made trade barriers can/have been used with Middle
East countries for various reasons. Embargo against Iran (terrorism). Embargo against Iraq (invasion of Kuwait). Weapons embargo
against Afghanistan (9/11). Tariffs used by Saudi Arabia and Egypt on food.
SS7E6c – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY TRADE - OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries was created in 1960. Original members included Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and
Venezuela. Controls world supply of oil, has power, used politically
SS7E6d – BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY TRADE – FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Not all countries use the same money. You must convert money to do business with other nations.
SS7E7a – ECONOMIC GROWTH: ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN – HUMAN CAPITAL & GDP
There is usually a correlation between investing in human capital and GDP. Israel has invested in human capital, good workforce.
Saudi Arabia is trying to improve, sending people to college outside of country. Iran – bad human capital, high unemployment, weak
educational system
SS7E7b – ECONOMIC GROWTH: ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN – CAPITAL & GDP
There is usually a correlation between investing in capital and GDP. Saudi Arabia and Iran have tremendous amounts of oil, but
haven’t invested in capital, which has negatively effected growth. Israel has invested in capital, good infrastructure
SS7E7c – ECONOMIC GROWTH: ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN – ROLE OF OIL
Natural resources effect economic growth. Israel has no oil. Saudi Arabia and Iran have economies based on oil.
SS7E7d - ECONOMIC GROWTH: ISRAEL, SAUDI ARABIA, IRAN – ENTREPRENUERSHIP
Entrepreneurs start business and create jobs. They are important to the growth of an economy. Israel – good environment for
entrepreneurs. Saudi Arabia is taking steps for a better environment. Iran – bad for entrepreneurs.
SS7H2a – HISTORY – BREAKUP OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE
The Ottoman Empire collapsed after WWI. Great Britain and France took over the land (Middle East). They divided up the land based
on their interests. They “created” new nations by drawing boundaries on a map that grouped people together that didn’t necessarily
belong together. This still causes conflict today.
SS7H2b – HISTORY – ESTABLISHMENT OF MODERN ISRAEL
Jews suffered discrimination (anti-semitism) in Europe and were persecuted during the Holocaust and WWII. After it was over, the
movement (Zionism) to unite together in their “promised land” increased. Jews returned to “Palestine” with world-wide support and
re-established ISRAEL in 1948.
SS7H2c – HISTORY – LAND, RELIGION & CONFLICT
Jews, Christians, and Muslims claim religious connections to land in the Middle East. They all have “holy sites” located in Jerusalem.
This has caused conflict over control of the land for many years.
SS7H2d – HISTORY – U.S. INTERESTS IN MIDDLE EAST
The U.S. has great interest in maintaining stability in the Middle East to safeguard the supply of oil and combat terrorism. The first
Persian Gulf War was a result of Iraq invading Kuwait to take control of their oil. The U.S. led a coalition to end the invasion. The
U.S. invasion of Afghanistan was a result of the U.S. responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks by searching for Osama bin Laden and
wiping out Al Qaeda. The Taliban government in Afghanistan was sheltering the terrorist group. The U.S. also responded to the 9/11
attacks by invading Iraq in 2003 to search for Weapons of Mass Destruction that were believed to be controlled by the dictator,
Saddam Hussein. It was believed that this posed a threat to the U.S.