The Topography of IraqThe Topography of Iraq

Ethnic Groups in IraqEthnic Groups in Iraq

Faisal, 1st King of IraqFaisal, 1st King of Iraq

Created by the Created by the British in 1921 British in 1921 from three from three Ottoman Ottoman provinces – Mosul, provinces – Mosul, Baghdad, & Basra.Baghdad, & Basra.

Prince Faisal fromPrince Faisal fromArabia becomes Arabia becomes king.king.

Iraq gains formalIraq gains formalindependence in independence in 1932. 1932.

Iraq in the Inter-War EraIraq in the Inter-War Era

British maintained military bases.British maintained military bases.

The Iraq Petroleum Co. created (a The Iraq Petroleum Co. created (a joint joint British, French, & American British, French, & American business).business).

Iraqi oil helped the Allies during Iraqi oil helped the Allies during WW II.WW II.

Iraqi Military Gains Power

Iraqi Military Gains Power Weak monarchy.Weak monarchy.

Seven military coups betweenSeven military coups between1936-1941.1936-1941.

British occupy Iraq in 1941 British occupy Iraq in 1941 increase authoritarianism.increase authoritarianism.

1958 Revolution1958 Revolution Violent overthrow of the Violent overthrow of the

monarchy.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 Kurdsand Shi’ites in theand Shi’ites in thegovernment.government.

some land reform.some land reform.

public welfare projects.public welfare projects.

1963 & 1968 Coups1963 & 1968 Coups

1952 1952 Baath PartyBaath Party created. created.

1963 1963 Baath forced out of the new Baath forced out of the new government after the coup. government after the coup.

1968 1968 Baath Party coup led by Baath Party coup led by Major General Major General Ahmad HasanAhmad Hasan al-Bakr al-Bakr.. His deputy was Saddam His deputy was Saddam Hussein.Hussein.

Violence becomes a vital Violence becomes a vital part of Iraqi political culture!part of Iraqi political culture!

A Young Saddam Hussein

(1937 - ?)

A Young Saddam Hussein

(1937 - ?)

Saddam’s identity card Saddam’s identity card when he was 10 years when he was 10 years

old.old.

Born in Tikrit.Born in Tikrit.

Peasant Peasant family family with with influential influential army army relatives.relatives.

Tribal society.Tribal society.

Joined BaathJoined BaathParty at 20.Party at 20.

Aided in failedAided in failedassassination assassination ofofQasim in Qasim in 1959.1959.

Saddam’s Early Political Career

Saddam’s Early Political Career

Saddam at Saddam at 17.17.

After 1963 coup, he was put in After 1963 coup, he was put in charge ofcharge ofthe security service for the Baath the security service for the Baath party.party.

1979 1979 he became president of Iraq he became president of Iraq

when al-Bakr was persuaded to step when al-Bakr was persuaded to step

down.down.

A Cult of PersonalityA Cult of Personality

A Cult of PersonalityA Cult of Personality

1989 Victory Arch1989 Victory Arch

Saddam’s Republican Guard

Saddam’s Republican Guard

The elite presidential security The elite presidential security force.force.

Oil Fields in IraqOil Fields in Iraq

Gassing the KurdsGassing the Kurds

Ali Hasa al-Majid(“Chemical Ali”)

Ali Hasa al-Majid(“Chemical Ali”)

I will kill them [the Kurds] all I will kill them [the Kurds] all with chemical weapons!with chemical weapons!

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

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

Iraq Invades KuwaitIraq Invades Kuwait

UN Security Council Resolution UN Security Council Resolution 678678

(authorized military force to be (authorized military force to be used used

against Iraq.)against Iraq.)

August 2, 1990August 2, 1990

“Operation Desert Storm”

“Operation Desert Storm”

U. S. Military LeadersU. S. Military Leaders

General Colin General Colin PowellPowell

General NormanGeneral NormanSchwarzkopfSchwarzkopf

The Ground WarThe Ground War

U. S. Female SoldiersU. S. Female Soldiers

Everywhere is a combat zone!Everywhere is a combat zone!

Range of Iraqi MissilesRange of Iraqi Missiles

Saddam Lobs SCUD Missiles

Saddam Lobs SCUD Missiles

Israel & Saudi Arabia:Israel & Saudi Arabia:The fear of bio-chemical The fear of bio-chemical

attacks.attacks.

President George H. W. Bush

with General Schwartzkopf

President George H. W. Bush

with General Schwartzkopf

Kuwait is LiberatedKuwait is Liberated

Allies March to BaghdadAllies March to Baghdad

Iraqis cheer Allied Iraqis cheer Allied forces.forces.

Iraqis soldiers Iraqis soldiers surrender.surrender.

“Highway of Death”“Highway of Death”

400 Iraqi Oilfields on Fire400 Iraqi Oilfields on Fire

An environmental disaster!An environmental disaster!

U. N. No-Fly ZonesU. N. No-Fly Zones

1990s: Iraqi Targets1990s: Iraqi Targets

Reasons for Going to War Against Saddam(according to the U. S. and Britain)

Reasons for Going to War Against Saddam(according to the U. S. and Britain)

Saddam kicked out U.N. weapons Saddam kicked out U.N. weapons inspectors.inspectors.

WMDs WMDs WWeapons of eapons of MMass ass DDestruction.estruction.

Saddam did not obey the No-Fly Saddam did not obey the No-Fly Zone Zone limitations.limitations.

He was a savage dictator.He was a savage dictator.

Stop Saddam before he can launchStop Saddam before he can launchnuclear missiles against Israel, nuclear missiles against Israel, Europe,Europe,or even the United States.or even the United States.

Allied Advance on Baghdad

Allied Advance on Baghdad

“Shock & Awe!”“Shock & Awe!”

Coalition forces attack Baghdad Coalition forces attack Baghdad (again).(again).

Anti-War ProtestorsAnti-War Protestors

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf

Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf

Saddam’s Minister of Saddam’s Minister of InformationInformation

(better known as “Baghdad (better known as “Baghdad Bob”)Bob”)

“Baghdad Bob”“Baghdad Bob”

The Dictator is “Toppled”

The Dictator is “Toppled”

“Mission Accomplished”“Mission Accomplished”

President George W. President George W. Bush lands on board the USS Bush lands on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)Abraham Lincoln (May, 2003)

Saddam Is Captured!Saddam Is Captured!

December, December, 20032003

The American Soldier: 2003

The American Soldier: 2003

1800+ American Casualties

1800+ American Casualties

12,000+ Americans Wounded

12,000+ Americans Wounded

Capt. Dawn HalfakerCapt. Dawn Halfaker

One of many female soldiers killed One of many female soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq.or wounded in Iraq.

20,000+ Iraqis Dead!20,000+ Iraqis Dead!

? Iraqis Wounded!? Iraqis Wounded!

A Growing Insurgency A Growing Insurgency

Former Baathists Former Baathists and foreign and foreign terrorists terrorists

(Al-Qaida, etc.)(Al-Qaida, etc.)

An Interim Iraqi Government

is Created (June, 2004)

An Interim Iraqi Government

is Created (June, 2004)

Prime Minister Ayad Prime Minister Ayad AllawiAllawi

The Scandal at Abu Ghraib Prison

The Scandal at Abu Ghraib Prison

1/30/05 – The Vote!1/30/05 – The Vote!

Courage at the Courage at the Polls!!Polls!!