What is What is cultureculture?? A group of people’s particular A group of people’s particular way of lifeway of life Cultural Hearths Cultural Hearths are places in which religions, language, are places in which religions, language,

government organization, inventions, etc. have had the most government organization, inventions, etc. have had the most effect on the rest of the world.effect on the rest of the world.

The seven original culture hearths are: 1) The Nile River Valley2) The Indus River Valley3) The Wei-Huang Valley4) The Ganges River Valley5) Mesopotamia6) Mesoamerica7) West Africa

What is What is cultural diffusioncultural diffusion??

TheThe spreadingspreading of culturesof cultures Some cultures are near each other Some cultures are near each other or or trade with trade with

each other and mix each other and mix and blend over timeand blend over time (Soccer?) (Soccer?) Sometimes they are spread by war. In this case, Sometimes they are spread by war. In this case,

those who conquer try to force those who conquer try to force their beliefs on their beliefs on others because they think themselves to be others because they think themselves to be superior. This is called superior. This is called ethnocentrismethnocentrism..

See, Think, WonderSee, Think, Wonder Make Make observationsobservations about what you see, hear about what you see, hear

and generally notice. (I See…)and generally notice. (I See…) What What thoughts were triggered thoughts were triggered as you made as you made

your observations? Connections to your your observations? Connections to your experiences; connections to culture; emotional experiences; connections to culture; emotional reactions and judgments; fascinating and reactions and judgments; fascinating and interesting observations (I think…..)interesting observations (I think…..)

What puzzles you? What puzzles you? What questions do you What questions do you havehave? What are you wondering about? (I ? What are you wondering about? (I wonder…)wonder…)

SW Asia and Middle EastSW Asia and Middle East

SW Asia in the WorldSW Asia in the World

Southwest Asia and Middle EastSouthwest Asia and Middle East

Speaking of ethnocentrism….Speaking of ethnocentrism….Why is this part of the world known as the Why is this part of the world known as the Middle East.?Middle East.?The term Middle East was popularized by an American naval officer named Alfred Thayer Mahan in 1902, but it might have been used by the British during their years of colonialism in the region. China and Japan for example were considered to be the Far East so the region between the Far East and The West then became the Near East or the Middle East. It now generally means the Middle East plus Turkey and Iran. The terms Middle East and Near East are Eurocentric because they describe a region in relation to Europe or The West. Despite this, the term is now accepted and even people in the Middle East call it that (Al-Sharq Al-Awasat means Middle East in Arabic).

ANCIENT HISTORYANCIENT HISTORY Home of the first Cultural HearthHome of the first Cultural Hearth

Centers of ideas, innovations and ideologiesCenters of ideas, innovations and ideologies MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Between Tigris and Euphrates RiverBetween Tigris and Euphrates River Farmers used Farmers used irrigationirrigation and food storage and food storage Domesticated cereal, vegetables, fruits, Domesticated cereal, vegetables, fruits,

animals animals Developed calendar, math, astronomy, Developed calendar, math, astronomy,

government and engineeringgovernment and engineering Many Empires have controlledMany Empires have controlled

Sumerian, Persia, Mongols, Romans, Sumerian, Persia, Mongols, Romans, Ottoman Turks Ottoman Turks

HISTORY cont.HISTORY cont.

Ottoman Turk ImpactOttoman Turk Impact Ruled from 1453 until after WWIRuled from 1453 until after WWI After WWI divided region into Syria, Iraq, Lebanon After WWI divided region into Syria, Iraq, Lebanon

and Yemen controlled and Yemen controlled by British and Frenchby British and French Didn’t adequately define border so when colonies Didn’t adequately define border so when colonies

gained independence, created problemsgained independence, created problems OilOil

Most important resource for outside worldMost important resource for outside world Within the realm, water and land most importantWithin the realm, water and land most important About 65% of known reserves About 65% of known reserves in world located in world located

herehere

Impact of OilImpact of Oil Middle Easterners who were mostly Middle Easterners who were mostly herders and herders and

fishermenfishermen became rich. became rich. Most countries have high Most countries have high standard of livingstandard of living.. Countries have built Countries have built desalinization plantsdesalinization plants, improved , improved

education and health.education and health. Not all oil is distributed evenly. Most around Not all oil is distributed evenly. Most around the Persian the Persian

GulfGulf First oil in region found in 1908 in Iran. First discovery in First oil in region found in 1908 in Iran. First discovery in

Saudi Arabia in Saudi Arabia in 1932.1932. Shiites and Palestinians move into ArabiaShiites and Palestinians move into Arabia

Saudi Arabia has 5 million foreigners in population of Saudi Arabia has 5 million foreigners in population of 23 million23 million

Disparities between oil rich and oil poor countriesDisparities between oil rich and oil poor countries Foreign investmentForeign investment

IRAQIRAQ Size of California with Size of California with 65%65% of total land and of total land and 42%42% of of

regions wealthregions wealth Major oil reserves and large areas of Major oil reserves and large areas of irrigated irrigated

farmlandfarmland Site of Site of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia culture hearthculture hearth Modern IraqModern Iraq Adversarial with neighborsAdversarial with neighbors

Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, SyriaTurkey, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria 3 regions3 regions

Core: around Core: around Baghdad, Baghdad, heart of countryheart of country South: around Basra, major South: around Basra, major oil fieldsoil fields, invasion of Kuwait in , invasion of Kuwait in

19901990 North: Land of North: Land of KurdsKurds and Sunni, but not Arab Sunni’s and Sunni, but not Arab Sunni’s

Kurds want own countryKurds want own country Treated poorly under SuddamTreated poorly under Suddam

Arabian PeninsulaArabian Peninsula Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

Mostly desert with huge Mostly desert with huge oil reservesoil reserves Absolute monarchyAbsolute monarchy Created in 1920’s and stabilized now friendly to Created in 1920’s and stabilized now friendly to

westwest Currently trying to update social programsCurrently trying to update social programs Economy Economy entirely dependent upon oilentirely dependent upon oil

PeripheryPeriphery Kuwait: tiny but lots of oilKuwait: tiny but lots of oil Bahrain: island with dwindling oil supplyBahrain: island with dwindling oil supply Qatar: declining oil but increasing natural gasQatar: declining oil but increasing natural gas UAE (United Arab Emirates) unique governmentUAE (United Arab Emirates) unique government Oman: absolute monarchy that controls choke Oman: absolute monarchy that controls choke

point of Hormuz Straitpoint of Hormuz Strait Yemen: united in 1990’s and created democracy, Yemen: united in 1990’s and created democracy,

only one in regiononly one in region

DubailandDubailand

And if that isn’t And if that isn’t impressive impressive enough!!!enough!!!

Try Hydropolis: An Try Hydropolis: An UnderwaterUnderwater HotelHotel

And there’s more!And there’s more!The Palms: 3 The Palms: 3

Artificial Islands in Artificial Islands in the shape of a tree!the shape of a tree!

IRANIRAN Formerly Formerly PersianPersian Empire that ruled for 2500 years Empire that ruled for 2500 years Controls area between Caspian Sea and Persian GulfControls area between Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf 69.4 million population with 63% urban69.4 million population with 63% urban Struggle between modernity and traditional Islamic Struggle between modernity and traditional Islamic

rulersrulers Revolution in 1979 Revolution in 1979 that put in Ayatollah Khomeinithat put in Ayatollah Khomeini 1980-1990 fought war with Iraq that left Iran very 1980-1990 fought war with Iraq that left Iran very

weakweak Late 1990’s saw desire to liberalize, but put down by Late 1990’s saw desire to liberalize, but put down by

governmentgovernment Government is Government is theocracytheocracy run by religious law run by religious law Current US policies becoming a question. Nuke Current US policies becoming a question. Nuke

Threat?Threat?

MODERN ISSUESMODERN ISSUES

Economically dependent on oilEconomically dependent on oil OPECOPEC: : Organization of Petroleum Organization of Petroleum

Exporting CountriesExporting Countries Food importersFood importers Growing citiesGrowing cities Capital of Islamic worldCapital of Islamic world What to do with Iraq? What to do with Iraq?

EASTERN EASTERN MEDITERRANEANMEDITERRANEAN

ISRAELISRAEL CreationCreation

Created Created in 1948 in 1948 as Jewish homeland with UN as Jewish homeland with UN support with idea support with idea of “Zionismof “Zionism””

May 14, 1948 created Israel with Arabic neighbors May 14, 1948 created Israel with Arabic neighbors immediately attackingimmediately attacking

At end of war, Israel controlled 80% of what had At end of war, Israel controlled 80% of what had been Palestinebeen Palestine

WarsWars 1967 week long war where Israel gains Golan 1967 week long war where Israel gains Golan

Heights, West Bank and Sinai PeninsulaHeights, West Bank and Sinai Peninsula 1973 war forces withdraw from 1973 war forces withdraw from Suez CanalSuez Canal 1978 Israel gives all of 1978 Israel gives all of Sinai Peninsula Sinai Peninsula back to back to

EgyptEgypt

MAJOR ISSUES: MODERN ISRAELMAJOR ISSUES: MODERN ISRAEL

Golan HeightsGolan Heights Syria wants it back but Israel wants to keep itSyria wants it back but Israel wants to keep it

West BankWest Bank Originally set as Originally set as Palestinian Homeland Palestinian Homeland but but

Jewish migration now makes it difficultJewish migration now makes it difficult 1977 5,000 Jews in West Bank1977 5,000 Jews in West Bank 2000 200,000 Jews in West Bank2000 200,000 Jews in West Bank

PalestiniansPalestinians Nation without a stateNation without a state Many live in Jordan but still large percentage Many live in Jordan but still large percentage

living in Israelliving in Israel

JERUSALEMJERUSALEM Major issue in Middle EastMajor issue in Middle East Suppose to be Suppose to be internationalinternational city, but captured by Israel in 1967 city, but captured by Israel in 1967 Now considered capital of IsraelNow considered capital of Israel HistoryHistory

Moses leads Jews into Philistine land and created Jerusalem where lived 40 centuriesMoses leads Jews into Philistine land and created Jerusalem where lived 40 centuries After King After King SolomonSolomon, kingdom divided and conquered, kingdom divided and conquered AD 70 Rome destroys 2AD 70 Rome destroys 2ndnd temple leaving only part of West Wall temple leaving only part of West Wall Under Rome: became focus for ChristiansUnder Rome: became focus for Christians 700 AD Muslims move into Jerusalem700 AD Muslims move into Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, cont.JERUSALEM, cont. Holy Site for 3 major religionsHoly Site for 3 major religions

Western Wall: Western Wall: JewishJewish Church of Holy Sepulcher: Church of Holy Sepulcher: Christians,Christians, place place

where Jesus buriedwhere Jesus buried Dome of the Rock: Dome of the Rock: Muslims. Muslims. Muhammad's Muhammad's

ascension to heaven on Temple Mountascension to heaven on Temple Mount Modern IssuesModern Issues

1948-49 captures only part of Jerusalem1948-49 captures only part of Jerusalem Tel Aviv suppose to be capital of IsraelTel Aviv suppose to be capital of Israel Jerusalem divided into 2 sections: Old and NewJerusalem divided into 2 sections: Old and New

MODERN ISSUES, cont.MODERN ISSUES, cont. JerusalemJerusalem

1967 Israel conquered 1967 Israel conquered West Bank West Bank and reunited Jerusalem and reunited Jerusalem with West mostly with West mostly Jewish aJewish and East mostly nd East mostly ArabicArabic

1980 called foreign nations to move from Tel Aviv to 1980 called foreign nations to move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but most didn’t and Israel began huge Jerusalem, but most didn’t and Israel began huge resettlement attemptresettlement attempt

1990’s UN tells Israel to stop construction and 1990’s UN tells Israel to stop construction and settlement, but Israel not listeningsettlement, but Israel not listening

Modern IssuesModern Issues One of wealthiest nations in regionOne of wealthiest nations in region 90%90% of population urban of population urban Water issues: 30 % of useable water under West Bank Water issues: 30 % of useable water under West Bank

but Israel uses but Israel uses 4X 4X as much water as Palestiniansas much water as Palestinians Finding peace biggest issue and problemFinding peace biggest issue and problem

OTHER NATIONS IN REGIONOTHER NATIONS IN REGION SyriaSyria

Shares border with IsraelShares border with Israel Lost Golan Heights in 1967; military republic since 1963Lost Golan Heights in 1967; military republic since 1963 75% Sunni, but ruled by Alawites who suppress all 75% Sunni, but ruled by Alawites who suppress all

dissensiondissension On Mediterranean Coast so can grow crops creating On Mediterranean Coast so can grow crops creating

come self-sufficiencycome self-sufficiency DamascusDamascus: believed to be longest lived in city in world: believed to be longest lived in city in world Needs ModernizationNeeds Modernization

JordanJordan East of Israel and depends upon Lebanon for Port AccessEast of Israel and depends upon Lebanon for Port Access 1946 population 400,000 with 1 million Palestinians 1946 population 400,000 with 1 million Palestinians

refugeesrefugees coming in 1948 coming in 1948 Received lots of aide, but hasn’t really helpedReceived lots of aide, but hasn’t really helped

Other Nations, cont.Other Nations, cont. LebanonLebanon

25 % population is Christian creating Civil War25 % population is Christian creating Civil War 1975 civil war after Muslim population grows and 1975 civil war after Muslim population grows and

Christian doesn’t Christian doesn’t BeirutBeirut destroyed and only 150,000 still lived there out of destroyed and only 150,000 still lived there out of

1.5 million; now being rebuilt1.5 million; now being rebuilt TurkeyTurkey

Influenced by Chinese, Mongols, Russians, Byzantium Influenced by Chinese, Mongols, Russians, Byzantium and Islamand Islam

Modern Turkey is remnants of Modern Turkey is remnants of OttomanOttoman Turkish Empire Turkish Empire Modern ProblemsModern Problems

20 % of population 20 % of population KurdishKurdish creating human rights violations creating human rights violations Islamic Fundamentalism gaining some support and strengthIslamic Fundamentalism gaining some support and strength Cultural conflict between Alevis Islam and Sunni IslamCultural conflict between Alevis Islam and Sunni Islam Wants Wants EUEU membership but not likely membership but not likely Controls Controls Bosporus and DardanellesBosporus and Dardanelles