The document summarizes the history of imperialism and conflicts in the Middle East from 1945 to the present. It discusses the end of European imperialism, the establishment of Israel and subsequent Arab-Israeli wars, ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Islamic revolutions in Iran and rise of Islamic terrorism. It also outlines the US response including the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks.

1. End of Imperialism (1945 – Present)

2. Imperialism in Asia

3. The Middle EastPost-War ChangesAfter WWIOttoman Empire was split up by the AlliesTerritories were controlled by the League of Nations (mainly Great Britain and France)Natives had very little controlThe large amounts of oil attracted many Westerners to the region Balfour Declaration: promise by the League of Nations to eventually create a homeland in Palestine for the Jewish peopleThe Middle EastAfter WWIIMost countries in the Middle East gained independenceRising nationalismZionism: the strong desire to create a homeland in Palestine for Jewish peoplePan-Arabism: the belief that Arabs should work together to achieve common goalsThe UN began creating a homeland for Jewish People in Palestine

4. Trouble in PalestineHistory of Palestine

5. Jews claim Palestine as their homeland

6. By the 1900s, most of the people living in Palestine were Arabs U.N. Charter

7. Israel was to be created as a “state” for Jews

8. Another state was to be created for Palestinians (non-Jewish, mostly Arab residents of Palestine) The Creation of Israel (1948)

9. Western nations (Europe and U.S.) supported the creation of Israel, angering many Muslims The Arab Reaction

10. Arabs were angered by the existence of a Jewish country on what they believe to be “Muslim lands” and planned to destroy Israel

11. Arab-Israeli WarsArab countries tried to destroy Israel:1948 Arab-Israeli WarSix Day War (1967)Yom Kippur War (1973)Results: Arab countries were defeated and humiliatedIsrael gained more territoryIsraeli military occupied Arab territories of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights Israelis built settlements in occupied territoriesMany Palestinian Arabs became refugees (people who flee their homeland because of war or persecution)

12. Other ConflictsPalestinian-Israeli Conflict (1948-Present)Occupied territoriesTo protect its people from attacks, Israel’s military tightened control over Palestinian territoriesThe PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) was created to fight for the rights of the PalestiniansOngoing problemsSome Palestinians want to destroy Israel, have intentionally targeted Israeli civilians, and refuse to live side by side in peaceIsrael withdrew from Gaza Strip &attacks against its civilians increasedA separate country has not been created for PalestiniansIsrael refuses to remove military &Jewish settlements from West Bank

13. Other ConflictsThe Suez Crisis (1956)Gamal Abdel Nasser used Egyptian military to take control of the Suez Canal from the British and FrenchGreat Britain, France, and Israel attacked EgyptThe United States forced them to withdrawEgypt kept control of the Suez CanalNasser became a hero in the Arab world

14. Other ConflictsIslamic Revolution in Iran (1979)The Shah (leader) tried to modernize Iran Created a secular (non-religious) government like those found in Western countries (Europe and the United States)Angered many MuslimsRadical Muslims led by Ayatollah Khomeini took control of Iran’s governmentSet up government based on strict laws of IslamLimited people’s freedomWomen’s rights were severely restrictedKidnapped 52 Americans from U.S. embassyHeld for over 1 yearU.S. refused to recognize Iranian government

15. Other ConflictsIran-Iraq War (1980-1988)Iran (ruled by Shi’a Muslims) and Iraq (ruled by Sunni Muslims) had a history of religious differencesIraqi military invaded Iran in 1980After 8 years of fighting, the war ended with nothing gained by either countryPersian Gulf War (1990)Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein sent soldiers into neighboring Kuwait to take control of oil fieldsCoalition forces (led by the United States) forced Iraqi troops out of KuwaitSaddam stayed in power in Iraq