The document summarizes the history and geography of Iraq from its creation after World War 1 as a British mandate comprised of three Ottoman provinces, to its invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and the subsequent Gulf War that removed Iraqi forces. It then discusses the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime and the ensuing insurgency that emerged in the aftermath.

2. The Topography of Iraq

3. Ethnic Groups in Iraq

5. Faisal, 1st
King of Iraq
 Created by theCreated by the
British in 1921 fromBritish in 1921 from
three Ottomanthree Ottoman
provinces – Mosul,provinces – Mosul,
Baghdad, & Basra.Baghdad, & Basra.
 Prince Faisal fromPrince Faisal from
Arabia becomes king.Arabia becomes king.
 Iraq gains formalIraq gains formal
independence inindependence in
1932.1932.

6. Iraq in the Inter- War Era
 British maintained military bases.British maintained military bases.
 The Iraq Petroleum Co. created (a jointThe Iraq Petroleum Co. created (a joint
British, French, & American business).British, French, & American business).
 Iraqi oil helped the Allies during WW II.Iraqi oil helped the Allies during WW II.

7. Iraqi Military Gains Power
 Weak monarchy.Weak monarchy.
 Seven military coups betweenSeven military coups between
1936-1941.1936-1941.
 British occupy Iraq in 1941British occupy Iraq in 1941 
increase authoritarianism.increase authoritarianism.

8. 1958 Revolution
 Violent overthrow of the monarchy.Violent overthrow of the monarchy.
 Creation of the Republic of Iraq.Creation of the Republic of Iraq.
 Reform and dictatorship underReform and dictatorship under
President Abd al-Karim QasimPresident Abd al-Karim Qasim
 purged western advisors.purged western advisors.
 centralized authority.centralized authority.
 some inclusion of Kurdssome inclusion of Kurds
and Shi’ites in theand Shi’ites in the
government.government.
 some land reform.some land reform.
 public welfare projects.public welfare projects.

9. 1963 & 1968 Coups
 19521952  Baath PartyBaath Party created.created.
 19631963  Baath forced out of the newBaath forced out of the new
government after the coup.government after the coup.
 19681968  Baath Party coup led byBaath Party coup led by
Major GeneralMajor General Ahmad HasanAhmad Hasan
al-Bakral-Bakr..
 His deputy was Saddam Hussein.His deputy was Saddam Hussein.
Violence becomes a vital part ofViolence becomes a vital part of
Iraqi political culture!Iraqi political culture!

11. A Young Saddam Hussein
(1937 - ?)
Saddam’s identity cardSaddam’s identity card
when he was 10 years old.when he was 10 years old.
 Born in Tikrit.Born in Tikrit.
 Peasant familyPeasant family
with influentialwith influential
army relatives.army relatives.
 Tribal society.Tribal society.
 Joined BaathJoined Baath
Party at 20.Party at 20.
 Aided in failedAided in failed
assassination ofassassination of
Qasim in 1959.Qasim in 1959.

12. Saddam’s Early Political
Career
Saddam at 17.Saddam at 17.
 After 1963 coup, he was put in charge ofAfter 1963 coup, he was put in charge of
the security service for the Baath party.the security service for the Baath party.
 19791979  he became president of Iraqhe became president of Iraq
when al-Bakr was persuaded to stepwhen al-Bakr was persuaded to step
down.down.

13. A Cult of Personality

14. A Cult of Personality
1989 Victory Arch1989 Victory Arch

15. Saddam’s
Republican Guard
The elite presidential security force.The elite presidential security force.

16. Oil Fields in Iraq

17. Gassing the Kurds

18. Ali Hasa al- Majid
(“Chemical Ali”)
I will kill them [the Kurds] allI will kill them [the Kurds] all
with chemical weapons!with chemical weapons!

19. A Reign of Terror: Mass
Graves of Saddam’s Victims

21. Iraq Invades Kuwait
UN Security Council Resolution 678UN Security Council Resolution 678
(authorized military force to be used(authorized military force to be used
against Iraq.)against Iraq.)
August 2, 1990August 2, 1990

22. “Operation Desert Storm”

23. U. S. Military Leaders
General Colin PowellGeneral Colin Powell
General NormanGeneral Norman
SchwarzkopfSchwarzkopf

24. The Ground War

25. U. S. Female Soldiers
Everywhere is a combat zone!Everywhere is a combat zone!

26. Range of Iraqi Missiles

27. Saddam Lobs SCUD Missiles
Israel & Saudi Arabia:Israel & Saudi Arabia:
The fear of bio-chemicalThe fear of bio-chemical
attacks.attacks.

28. President George H. W.
Bush
with General Schwartzkopf

29. Kuwait is Liberated

30. Allies March to Baghdad
Iraqis cheer Allied forces.Iraqis cheer Allied forces.
Iraqis soldiers surrender.Iraqis soldiers surrender.

31. “Highway of Death”

32. 400 Iraqi Oilfields on Fire
An environmental disaster!An environmental disaster!

33. U. N. No- Fly Zones

34. 1990s: Iraqi Targets

36. Reasons for Going to War
Against Saddam
(according to the U. S. and Britain)
 Saddam kicked out U.N. weaponsSaddam kicked out U.N. weapons
inspectors.inspectors.
 WMDsWMDs  WWeapons ofeapons of MMassass DDestruction.estruction.
 Saddam did not obey the No-Fly ZoneSaddam did not obey the No-Fly Zone
limitations.limitations.
 He was a savage dictator.He was a savage dictator.
 Stop Saddam before he can launchStop Saddam before he can launch
nuclear missiles against Israel, Europe,nuclear missiles against Israel, Europe,
or even the United States.or even the United States.

37. Allied Advance on Baghdad

38. “Shock & Awe!”
Coalition forces attack Baghdad (again).Coalition forces attack Baghdad (again).

39. Anti- War Protestors

40. Mohammed Saeed al- Sahaf
Saddam’s Minister of InformationSaddam’s Minister of Information
(better known as “Baghdad Bob”)(better known as “Baghdad Bob”)

41. “Baghdad Bob”

42. The Dictator is “Toppled”

43. “Mission Accomplished”
President GeorgePresident George
W. Bush lands on board the USSW. Bush lands on board the USS
Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)

44. Saddam Is Captured!
December, 2003December, 2003

45. The American Soldier: 2003

46. 1800+ American Casualties

47. 12,000+ Americans Wounded

48. Capt. Dawn Halfaker
One of many female soldiers killed orOne of many female soldiers killed or
wounded in Iraq.wounded in Iraq.

49. 20,000+ Iraqis Dead!

50. ? Iraqis Wounded!

51. A Growing
Insurgency
Former Baathists andFormer Baathists and
foreign terroristsforeign terrorists
(Al-Qaida, etc.)(Al-Qaida, etc.)

53. An Interim Iraqi Government
is Created (June, 2004)
Prime Minister Ayad AllawiPrime Minister Ayad Allawi

54. The Scandal at Abu Ghraib
Prison

55. 1/30/05 – The Vote!
Courage at the Polls!!Courage at the Polls!!