Post WWII Middle East

World History

8.2.3

Independence

• Syria and Lebanon gain their independence toward the end of WWII

• Many Jewish people (some Holocaust survivors) migrate to this area– Believed it to be their Holy

Land– Zionists push for migration– Sympathy for Jewish grows

after Holocaust

Israel

• 1948 – Formed but not recognized– Muslim nations feel betrayed that their land

was taken from them– Muslim nations invade, unsuccessful, but still

don’t recognize Israel as an independent nation

Gamal Abdel Nasser and the Suez War

• Seizes control of Egypt

• Seizes control of Suez Canal

• English, French, and Israel oppose him

• US and USSR support him– Opposed English and

French intervention in Middle East

Pan-Arabism

• United Arab Republic (UAR) meant to speak for all Arab interests

• Oil-rich countries don’t want to share oil revenue with poorer Arab nations

• 1967 – Nasser blockades Israel– Israel launches air strikes in retaliation

• Israel destroys Egyptian Air Force and breaks blockade– Seizes Sinai Peninsular and West Bank– Today called the “Six Day War”

The Yom Kippur War

• Egypt and Syria launch coordinated attack

• Israel survives and nearly destroys Egyptian Army

• Peace treaty saves Egypt but nothing resolved