Middle East History: Events

Front 1

Battle of Chaldiran

Back 1

battle between Safavids and Ottomans (selim vs. Ismail) Selim wanted to end Safavid power and Quizilbash revolt. Fought S Calvary no match for Ottoman infatry Ottoman wins but does not completely take over Safavids

Front 2

Tanzimat

Back 2

Ottoman reform of the late 1800s-heavily influenced by western ideals. Supposed to give equal rights to all religions, fair military conscription, new taxation, leal authority concentrated with sultan. but French and Brit bureaucrats making reforms not Ottomans, not well suited. Reduced Islam, deference to European ideals/power structures, and gave power to European bureaucrats

Front 3

The Nahda

Back 3

the awakening or the renaissance. Began in the late 19th century in Egypt, moved over arab world. Intellectual and modernization reform in line with Mehmet linked to Tanizmat, young turk rev and Egypt rev. period of intellectual modernizing influence and liberal thought, answer to modernizers and western influence, centered on nationalism

Front 4

Urabi Revolt

Back 4

uprisings in Egypt in late 19th century, lead by Urabi seeking to depose king Tewfik and end British and French rule. Arab unity, screw the west. Revolt in army that spread soldiers protest, demonstrations and revolts,overthrow Tewfik, Urabi in power, British come and blow up Cairo seize power.

Front 5

Auspicious Incident

Back 5

forced disbandment of Janisarries by Mahmud II in 1826.

Front 6

Consituional Revolution in Iran

Back 6

1905, lead to the establishment of a constitution and parliament under Qajar dynasty. Came out of need to modernize and for fair rulers. Anger over weakness of Iran and extravagance of regime and of increasing concessions to Europe (tabbacco concessions). Began when too merchants were punished by whipping the soles of their feet, humiliation. Protestors hide in sacred mosque, is eventually violated by regime, 22000 camp out outside embassy and demand constitution, granted.

Front 7

Treaty of Sevres

Back 7

treaty between Allied and Central powers in WWI. Abolished Ottoman Empire. Wanted Turkey to renounce all rights over the Middle East. Made for creation of Mandate Palestine under Brits and French Mandate Syria.

Front 8

Armenian Genocide

Back 8

systematic extermination of the Armenias from their homeland in Anatolia by Ottomans. There were nationalist uprisings in early 20th by armenians, start to ally with Russians. Turks freak out and massacre, force them to leave, death marches through Syrian dessert, 1 million dead

Front 9

The Balfour Declaration

Back 9

letter from UK to British Jewish community stating that they are in favor of creating Israel. British believe by supporting Israel the US and Russia will be on their side in WWII, and to back Wiezman. Long lasting consequences.

Front 10

Great Revolt of 36'-39'

Back 10

uprising in mandatory Palestine against British colonial rule, demand independence. British brutally squash it killing 2k arabs. Made British choose to support zionist military in 48' war and caused the main arab leader to flee. Essentially decided the outcome of 48' war.

Front 11

Arab Israeli War of 48'

Back 11

Israel proclaimed independent state and war starts the next day. Jordan Syria Iraq and Lebanon fought Israel repulsed them (all new militaries) . Israel won.

Front 12

Arab Israeli War of 67'

Back 12

Syria and Israeli plane gets in a scuffle and Syrian plane is downed. Syria tells Egypt that Israel is amassing at border (not true). Nasser believing his own hype announces that there will be a war. forces UN to leave border. Israel hears this and bombs Egypt's and Syria's planes to total annihilation, war is won. Nasser embarrassed and Israeli allies strengthened.

Front 13

Arab-Israeli War of 73'

Back 13

Fight between coalition of arab soliders lead by Egypt and Syria. Arabs had early success but Israel eventually pushes through. Deal reached by UN. Psychological vindication for arabs, understanding Israel is not invincible for Israelis, set standard for peace missions later.

Front 14

Suez Crisis

Back 14

Egypt refuses to join US/UK pact against Russia. Brits are pissed and refuse to loan to Egypt. In need of $$ Nasser decides to nationalize canal. He does. Brits and French send Israel to attack so they can broker a cease fire and take suez, the plan is discovered, Brits expelled, Nasser hero

Front 15

Free Officers Coup

Back 15

young disillusioned Egyptians, mad over corrupt monarchy and foreign influence. Join officers club to get close to Farouk, plan a coup take over

Front 16

The White Revolution

Back 16

reforms of 63-78 by Reza Shah II meant to weaken traditional systems. Announced as step towards westernization, hoped to legitimize his reign and to get peasant support and thwart angry middle class.Also education more. did NOT work; land reforms produced independent not loyal farmers;produced more angry intellgensia and urban working class. Paved the way for Islamic revolution but contributed to economic and technological advancement

Front 17

Islamic Revolution

Back 17

Iran 1979. Overthrowing of Reza Shah II (who was supported by the US) Strikes protests, secular and religious working together, rebel troops overwhelmed shahs troops exiled Reza. Became Islamic republic under Khomeini who became an anti western authoritarian

Front 18

Black September

Back 18

Jordian civil war in 1970. PLO vs. Jordan under Husseini. so many refugees in Jordan PLO wanted it to be ruled by PLO. Very bloody many civilians die, PLO and its leaders expelled to Lebanon

Front 19

Iran-Iraq Waar

Back 19

(1980-1988) Border disputes and saddam was afraid the 79' revolution would inspire a Shi'a uprising in Iraq. Iraq wanted to be dominant Gulf state. Fought for long time, bloody stagnating, nasty, no territory gained or lost on either side at the end of it

Front 20

Camp David Accords

Back 20

1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Egypt recognized Israel as a state. Anwar Saadat assassinated cause of it.

Front 21

Oil Embargo of 1973

Back 21

Arab oil states announced oil embargo. Response to US involvement in 73' war with Israel. Caused stock market crash in US.

Front 22

First Gulf War

Back 22

US (and 34 other nations) against Iraq because of its invasion of Kuwait. US forces to Saudi Arabia, largest military alliance since WWII. First broadcasted war in US.

Front 23

Oslo Accords

Back 23

1993 agreement between PLO and Israel. Did not create Palestinian state.