The Middle East during the Cold War

Creation of present day borders

• After World War I, the League of Nations set up __________ in the Middle East– The land was

temporarily controlled by European countries until they were “ready for independence”

French control: Syria, Lebanon British control: Iraq, Jordan, Palestine

After World War II…• Mandates were granted ______________

• Israel was created as a Jewish state out of _________________– Why? What had happened during WWII?

Based on this map, who

would have been happy about the creation of

Israel? Who would have been angry about the creation if

Israel?

War!• After Israel declared its

statehood in 1948, the surrounding Arab countries launched an attack– Why?

• Israel wins the war and enlarged its territory, but:– the Arab states refused to

accept Israel as a legitimate state

– Palestinians were left with no state at all, creating a huge refugee problem that still affects the area today

After the war…

• Several other wars have been fought since the first Arab-Israeli war

• Results:– Israel’s borders have shifted, and they have

made peace treaties with some of their Arab neighbors

– The question of statehood for Palestine has not been answered, and most Palestinians live in occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza, with high unemployment and severe restrictions on travel

Why is there conflict in Israel and Palestine today?

Important Leaders in the Middle East

• Golda Meir– Israel’s 4th Prime

Minister– Known for strong

reputation– Led Israel during their

victorious Yom Kippur war

– Sought help from the United States

Important Leaders in the Middle East• Gamal Abdul Nasser

– President of Egypt, 1956-70

• Challenged Western dominance in the Middle East

• Modernized Egypt– Nationalized the Suez

Canal• Took control of the Canal

away from European countries

– Built the Aswan High Dam• Helped control Nile flooding

and provide power• Soviets helped finance the

dam

War!• After Israel declared its

statehood in 1948, the _________________________ launched an attack– Why?

• __________ wins the war and enlarged its territory, but:– the Arab states refused to

accept Israel as a legitimate state

– ______________ were left with no state at all, creating a huge __________ problem that still affects the area today

After the war…

• Several other wars have been fought since the first Arab-Israeli war

• Results:– Israel’s borders have shifted, and they have

made peace treaties with some of their Arab neighbors

– The question of statehood for Palestine has not been answered, and most Palestinians live in occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza, with high unemployment and severe restrictions on travel

Why is there conflict in Israel and Palestine today?

• Israelis feel ________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

• Palestinians feel ____________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Important Leaders in the Middle East

• _______________– ____________4th Prime

Minister– Known for strong

reputation– Led Israel during their

victorious __________ __________

– Sought help from the _________________

Important Leaders in the Middle East• ____________________

– President of __________, 1956-70

• Challenged Western dominance in the Middle East

• _______________ Egypt– Nationalized the _______

_____________• Took control of the Canal

away from European countries

– Built the ______________• Helped control Nile flooding

and provide power• ___________ helped

finance the dam