Mr. Rossi's History - Home



Gulf Issues GlossarySaddam Hussein- President of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. Waged war on Iran in 1980-1988. In 1990 he ordered an invasion of Kuwait but was defeated by United States and its allies in the Gulf War (1991). Defeated by US led invasion in 2003. Khairallah Tulfah- Uncle of Saddam Hussein who became a foster father and instilled in him an appreciation of Arab Nationalism Arab Nationalism- Arab nationalists sought to free those areas from foreign control. Arab nationalism gave rise to pan-Arabism. This movement sought a unity of all Arab people based on their shared heritage. Ba'ath Party- A pro-Arab political party dedicated to Arab nationalism, to Arab socialism, and Arab unity. Basra- City in southern Iraq, heart of Shiite territory. Shiite- a member of one of the two major Muslim sects; believe that the descendants of Muhammad's daughter and son-in-law, Ali, are the true Muslim leaders Sunni- A follower of the majority branch of Islam which tells that successors to Muhammad are to be chosen by the Muslim community. Regional Command- Supreme decision-making body of the Baath party within Iraq Revolutionary Command Council- Was set up immediately after the 1968 revolution to become the most important decision-making body in Iraq. Totalitarianism- Government ruled by a single party and/or person that exerts unlimited control over its citizen's lives. Shah of Iran- Leader of Iran supported by the United States who wanted to nationalize their oil and improve economy, sparks Iranian Revolution and Shah is overthrown (1979) Modernization- The process of reforming political, military, economic, social, and cultural traditions in imitation of the early success of Western societies, often with regard for accommodating local traditions in non-Western societies. SAVAK- This intelligence agency (or secret police) was established in the mid 1900s in Iran by Mohammad Reza Shah with the help of the CIA. Intended to root out opposition to the shah. Notorious for brutality. Ayatollah Khomeini- A supreme religious leader of the Shiite group, and leader of Iran from 1979 to his death in 1989. The last decade of his life was filled with turmoil, notable the hostage crisis at the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the Iran-Iraq War. Khuzestan- Oil-rich Province in South-Western Iran Persian Gulf- This body of water separates the Arabian peninsula from the more mountainous land of Persia Shatt al-Arab waterway- Strategic waterway Iran controls and Hussein wanted for Iraq. Gives access to lots of Gulf areas Algiers Agreement- Agreement between Iraq and Iran to settle border conflicts; Iraq will adjust borders if they stop assisting the Kurd Arab League- Established in 1945 to promote the political, economic and cultural interests of the Arab countries. Founder members included Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Iran-Iraq War- Began when Iraq invaded Iran on September 22 1980 following a long history of border disputes and fears of Shia insurgency among Iraq's long suppressed Shia majority influenced by Iran's Islamic revolution. First Gulf War- Saddam Hussein and Iraq occupied Kuwait, the UN told them to leave, they didn't, a coalition force of the US, UK, and Australia came in and in a few weeks moved Saddam out of Kuwait. Operation Desert Shield- August 7, 1990- January 17, 1991 U.S. President Bush places embargo on Iraq, place U.S. military in Saudi Arab. West Europe and Arabs now against Iraq. Operation Desert Storm- January 17, 1991- February 28, 1991 Deadlines pass and Saddam doesn't move. Operation Desert Shield becomes Operation Desert Storm. 1st- air attack on Saddam 2nd-troops push him out of Kuwait. Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr- President of Iraq prior to Saddam Hussein. Saddam was his deputy, he was later pressured into resigning by Hussein, then bringing him into power. Iranian Revolution- (1978-1979) a revolution against the Shah of Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, which resulted in Iran becoming an Islamic republic with Khomeini as its leader. White Revolution- Far-reaching series of reforms in Iran launched in 1963 by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (more women rights and voting, advancing adult education, education centers, land to poor) Nepotism- Showing favoritism to friends or family, as in granting positions in jobs or politics. Kermit Roosevelt- CIA officer sent to Iran to help remove Mossadeg from power and return the Shah to the head of Iranian government. George H.W. Bush- President of the United States from 1989-1993. Sent troops into Kuwait and later into Iraq to stop Iraqi occupation of Kuwaiti oil fields. Pushed for Saddam’s overthrow by the Iraqi people. ................
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