Transcript Political Directions - Methacton School District

Political Directions
Chapter 27, Sec. 1
Pan-Arabism
O By 1950, most Middle Eastern nations had
won independence.
O Despite this, they still felt the effects of
European imperialism.
O Their national boundaries had been drawn by
the West and their economies depended
heavily on the European powers.
O This led to opposition to western culture.
Pan-Arabism
O Goals
O Arab nationalists believed that a unified Arab
state could be a major world power.
O They believed that such an Arab state could
be strong enough to end European
domination of the Middle East.
O Experiments in this idea (Egypt and Syria)
were short-lived.
Obstacles to Unity
O National, ethnic, and kinship ties proved to
be stronger than the desire for pan-Arabism.
O Many people felt greater loyalty to their own
country than to the pan-Arab state.
O Other factors made pan-Arabism difficult
including geographic, economic, and
religious differences.
O Despite their failure to unit many Arab
leaders still held onto the dream of a panArab state.
Political Traditions
O After the period of imperialism many Arabic
nations struggled to define their individual
identities.
O Most states turned to powerful central
governments with a sole leader.
Forms of Government
O Most Middle Eastern nations today are
republics, though in some dictators hold
power.
O At the time of independence many nations
were monarchies but then some later
became republics.
O Republics: Egypt, Iraq, and Iran
O Monarchies: Saudi Arabia and Jordan
Forms of Government
O Middle Eastern countries vary in the degree
to which citizens can participate in their
government.
O Saudi Arabia has a monarch that has
absolute power.
O Jordan has a constitutional monarchy with an
elected parliament and king.
O Turkey and Israel are multiparty states that
hold free elections. Citizens there are freer
to express their opinions.
Forms of Government
O In both Syria and Iraq a strongman ruler and
a single political party, the Baath party,
dominate.
O Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein
brutally silenced critics and crushed
opposition groups.
Islamic Law
O Shariah – the moral code and religious law
of Islam
O As in the past, Islam acts as both a religion
and basis for government.
O Muslims recognize the Koran as governing
all aspects of life.
O While most Middle Eastern countries follow
western styles of government, some nations
(like Iran and Saudi Arabia) rely on Shariah.
Challenges to Stability
O Many different factors have posed major
challenges to the governments of the Middle
East.
O These factors include minority groups
seeking self-rule, rapid population growth,
urbanization, widespread poverty, and
illiteracy.
Civil War in Lebanon
O For many years Lebanon was one of the most
unstable places in the Middle East.
O Lebanon is home to many different Christian and
O
O
O
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Muslim groups.
Power in the government was divided amongst these
different groups.
However it gave less power to the growing Muslim
population than to Christian groups.
In 1975, Lebanon plunged into a Civil War which
lasted for 16 years.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
emerged at this time to launch terrorist attacks on
Israel.
Foreign Involvement
O In time, Syria, Israel, Iran, and the United
States all became involved in the struggle.
O Syria and Israel occupied parts of Lebanon
O Thousands of Lebanese were killed in the
fighting, and the once-thriving economy was
destroyed.
O Finally, in 1991, the Lebanese agreed to a
power-sharing agreement that gave Muslims
a greater say in government.
The Force of Islamic Tradition
O After independence, Middle Eastern nations
inherited many elements of western culture and
technology.
O Leaders set up secular governments and schools.
O Islamic law was replaced by law codes with
western principles.
O In cities, especially, young people embraced
western music, clothing, and cultural values.
O Women gained more freedom to go out in public,
and some stopped covering their heads and
faces.
The Islamist Movement
O Some Muslims saw westernization has a
form of colonialism.
O To them, it was an evil force undermining
Islamic society.
O They demanded a return to the values set out
in the Koran and early Islamic traditions.
O People in Muslim lands often disagreed
about if this should be done.
The Islamist Movement
O The Islamists insisted that governments use
the Shariah as the basis of law.
O They wanted to restore authority to religious
leaders and to enforce strict separation of
men and women in public places.
O The Islamist view spurred a religious revival
throughout the Muslim world.
O It seemed to offer a balance to the rapid
social and economic challenges sweeping the
Muslim world.
Extremism
O Extremist groups such as al Qaeda have used
terror and violence to promote their values.
O They claim to be in a holy struggle against the
enemies of Islam.
O Extremists have targeted the United States for
attack.
O They accuse the U.S. of spreading its culture and
values in a new form of imperialism.
O They also condemn the U.S. for aiding Israel and
helping oppressive governments stay in power.
Extremism
O Most Middle Eastern leaders reject the actions
of Islamic extremists.
O They say that westernization is a natural process.
O Governments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria
have cracked down on Islamic extremists.
O However, they were not able to destroy the
movements.
O In many Muslim countries, people who feel they
have no future continue to be drawn to the
extremists.