MENA History
# 12
Mesopotamia, the Fertile Crescent, is between the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers was an area rich in
resources and has supported many civilizations
like the Sumerians. Stronger groups came along
and took control over and over until there were
many different ethnic groups in the area. In 500
BC the Persians built an empire that would
become modern day Iran. Persia had one of the
largest, richest, and most powerful empires in
world history.
The Rise of Islam
The Prophet Muhammad 570-632 AD, established
Islam. Muhammad was born in Mecca. At age 40
he said the Angel Gabriel gave him a mission to
preach the word of God (Allah in Arabic language).
Muhammad spread Allah’s message to his
followers, called Muslims. A holy book called the
Qur’an contains what Muslims believe to be
Allah’s message to Muhammad. Muhammad
established a Muslim community centered at the
city of Medina. Islam spread all over North Africa
and the Middle East by trade routes and
conquering armies.
Since 1299 the Muslims ruled the empire which
spanned SE Europe, North Africa, and the Middle
East.
Mongols, Safavid and finally Ottoman Turks all
ruled the region in turn.
WWI was Britain, France, Russia, and the U.S. (the
allies) against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the
Ottoman Empire. Several European countries
colonized and controlled North Africa and the
Middle East to harvest its resources namely, oil
and gas.
Most people in the area are Arabs and Arabic is
the dominant language. Another major ethnic
group are the Persians in Iran and Afghanistan
who speak Farsi. Kurds are another ethnic group
that are Muslims but not Arabs, they speak a
language related to Farsi. In Afghanistan the
Pashtun make up a large part of the population.
Much of the conflict today is a result of decisions
made after WWI. The Victorious Allies divided up
the Ottoman Empire and messed up old national
boundaries. Groups that never had to get along
were now forced to live together.
Ethnic Groups of MENA
Arabs
Persians
-Largest ethic group of -Dominate in Iranian
the entire region
society and politics
-Arabic language
-Most speak Farsi
dominant
-Practice Islam
-Practice Islam
Kurds
Pashtun
-Members in Iran, Iraq, -Largest ethnic group in
Syria, Turkey
Afghanistan
-Desire self-rule
-Speaks Pashtu language
-Language related to
-Loyalty to tribe and
Farsi
family
-Practice Islam
-Practice Islam
About Islam: Islam is split into two main branches.
Sunni and Shi’as. One difference is who can
become a religious leader or Imam. Sunni groups
choose who they want to be leaders. Shia groups
choose decedents of Muhammad. 90% of Muslims
are Sunnis. Both are expected to pray 5 times and
day and read from the holy Qur’an and if possible
make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a
lifetime.
The change to oil and gas production made huge
changes in the region. One big early change was
colonization from Europe, especially Britain.
Academic Vocabulary
Civilization-- the stage of human social
development and organization that is considered
most advanced. Ex) The first human civilization
was in Mesopotamia.
Ethnic group-- people of the same race or
nationality who share a distinctive culture. Ex)
Arabs are the largest ethnic group in the Middle
East.
Nationalism-- Patriotic feelings about one’s
nation or homeland. The desire to self-govern
(run your own country) as a group. Ex) The Kurds
display nationalism when they fight for an
independent country of their own.
Interdependence-- mutuality: a give and take
relationship where both groups or countries need
something from the other. Ex) MENA shows its
independence on the world when it grabs land in
other countries for crops.
Globalization—depending on and being affected
by the whole world. Ex)The Middle East has a
globalized oil trade.
Fundamentalism-- a form of a religion, especially
Islam or Protestant Christianity, that upholds
belief in the strict, literal interpretation of a holy
book. Ex) The Islamic Revolution in 1979
introduced a strict interpretation of the Qur’an as
the law of the land.
Human rights-- rights that are believed to belong
justifiably to every person.