Today’s Warm-Up

Pick up the reading packet by the turn-in tray and flip to the map on the last page.

We’ll be referring to this map throughout class notes today

Conflicts in the Middle East

Today’s LEQ: How and why has the Middle East evolved through time?

Introduction…

Over the last few decades major conflicts have erupted in the Middle East

Some general regional issues have contributed to these conflicts: The presence of huge oil reserves Growth of Islamism Conflict between Israel and its neighbors

Oil in the Middle East

2/3 of the world’s known oil reserves are located here and have provided a great source of wealth

Most of the regions oil-rich countries belong to OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC regulates the production of oil

exports to maximize revenues

Oil in the Middle East

Oil wealth has allowed for economic development but is also the source of conflict Some governments have used oil

revenues to build up their military, maintain power, and threaten their neighbors

Led outside nations to become involved

Growth of Islamism

Islamism = a movement to reorder government and society according to Islamic laws Islamists believe Muslim countries strayed

away from the path of true Islam Anti-Western

This has led to conflicts within society and government

Extremists have used violence to bring about the changes they want

Conflicts with Israel

Since Israel was established in 1948, most Middle Eastern countries refused to recognize its right to exist

A series of wars between Israel and its neighbors led to the expansion of Israel

Refer to map on page 557

Six-Day War

In 1967, Egypt demanded that U.N. troops leave Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula

Expecting a large-scale Arab attack, Israel struck first Israel launched air strikes against

Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, destroying most of their airplanes on the ground

Results of the Six-Day War

Israel quickly defeated Arab forces and took control of the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem

Yom Kippur War

Determined to win back their territory, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel in 1973 At first, Arab troops made gains in the war – Israel unprepared

With U.S. support, Israeli forces regrouped and pushed back the Egyptian and Syrian armies

Results of the Yom Kippur War

After weeks of fighting, both sides agreed to a cease-fire

During the war, Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo (refusal to sell oil) on countries supporting Israel – including the U.S.

What do you think happened as a result?

A Peace Agreement

Egypt and Israel make peace in 1978 in an agreement known as the Camp David Accords

Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt

The treaty ended 30 years of hostility between Egypt and Israel

The Conflict Remains Unresolved

Despite the many years of war in the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli conflict remains unresolved

Each war, regardless of which side initiated it, has ended in the status-quo – Israel is still a sovereign and powerful state and tension still exists

Ultimately, neither move was decisive enough to bring about an end to the larger Arab-Israeli conflict

Palestinian Unrest

As Egypt and Israel made peace, Palestinian Arabs continued their struggle for nationhood

Extremists on both sides have worked hard to undermine the peace process

Where are we today?

Today’s Exit Ticket

Respond to the key question: What issues besides political boundaries and religion have had an important impact on the Arab-Israeli conflict?