Transcript Lebanon - Blue Valley Schools

MAPS
ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE REGION
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The predominant cultural backgrounds and ancestry of the Lebanese vary from
Aramaean to Canaanite , and Greek .
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Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
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Much of Lebanon’s diversity is created through different religions such as
Muslims and Christians.
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Christians dominate in the south and northwest of Lebanon while Sunni
Muslims in the far north, Shiite Muslims in the northeast and south and Druze
in the south-central and southeast.
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Christians are considered ethnically descended from the Ancient Phoenicians.
These people lived in Lebanon before Lebanon was a country.
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The Muslims are considered Arabic.
MAJOR CAUSE OF CONFLICT
• Since the 1970’s ethnicities in Lebanon have been
fighting.
• Lebanon is split by 60% Muslims and 40% Christians.
• Christians made up the majority and controlled the
country’s main businesses, but as the Muslims became
the majority, they forced political and economic equality.
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Other countries then felt the need to intervene in
Lebanon's conflicts.
OUTSIDE FORCES OR INFLUENCES
• America and Israel both sent in troops to try to
put a stop to the civil conflict going on, but their
attempts failed. The United States withdrew their
troops after many of them died due to a truck
bomb in 1983. After this incident, Lebanon was
left under the power of Syria, who held a
historical claim on the area. But in 2005, they
also had to pull back their troops.
CULTURAL CONFLICT
• The cultural conflict of Lebanon pertains mainly to religious
differences. In 1943, Lebanon became an independent country.
After WWII, the Arab-Israeli war caused many refugees to flee to
Lebanon, this also caused much conflict. There was also religious
conflict between the Christians and Muslims. Also the country of
Syria did not view Lebanon as an independent country. They marched
into Lebanon and ruthlessly killed many innocent lives. They shot
“indiscriminately” at the Christians in Lebanon. Other incidents
brought both the United States and Israel into the war. The United
States Embassy was bombed and Tel Aviv was raided, causing Israel
to get into the conflict.
TIMELINE
1943
Lebanon becomes an independent country.
1948
Arab-Israeli war occurs, causing refugees to flee to Lebanon, a key
component to the civil war to happen 27 years later.
1978
Syria opens fire on Christian sectors, causing the war to worsen.
1982-1983
Lebanese president assassinated, and U.S Embassy bombed by a
suicide bomber.
1990
Agreement ends the civil war, giving each religion one half of the 128
Parliament seats.
REGIONS HISTORY REFLECTS 5 THEMES
Location: Lebanon is located near Israel and Syria which both have much civil conflict
themselves, and much of that reflects onto Lebanon, thus providing external
reasons for civil conflict there.
Place: Lebanon has religious conflict and problems between the Christians and
Muslims, since many refugees have fled to the country from neighboring
countries. It is placed in an area that is a hotbed of conflict.
Movement: During the Arab-Israeli war, refugees fled to Lebanon, and those refugees
then turn on the Lebanese government. This is a main component of the
Lebanon Civil War.
Region: The region includes Syria, which has a historical claim on Lebanon. Israel
also got involved in the war after the raid on Tel Aviv. This caused both of the
countries to send troops into Lebanon. Then the U.S got involved after the U.S.
Embassy was bombed.
Human-Environment Interaction: Many countries feel the need to invade and share
their ideas with Lebanon. This has a lot to do with the environment. Because so
many of these countries are close to each other, they heavily influence Lebanon's
religion and cultural views.
HYPOTHESIS
• To create peace in Lebanon they need to create their own multidiversity government such as that in 1932. This government should
cater to the needs of both the Muslims and the Christian religion,
and others. By creating their own government and not relying on
other countries to take over, Lebanon will be able to better solve their
country’s problems as they see them first hand.
• Lebanon should not give more power to one religion over another.
The religions in Lebanon need to remain equal in power and show no
superiority to one religion. Lebanon should remain as a country with
no specific religion.
PHOTOS
EXTRA CREDIT VIDEO
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/14/us-lebanon-politicsidUSKCN0IX18K20141114
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After watching the video, What do you believe the Lebanese government should
do to leave this “paralyzed government” phase?
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Why do surrounding countries feel the need to take over Lebanon?
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Do you believe Lebanon will have a country-wide religion? If yes, which religion?
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What new laws could the Lebanon government create to prevent other countries
from taking over?
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Do you think Lebanon would benefit from being an independent country, or do
they need another country to take over to benefit?
REFERENCES
Holmes, O. (2014, November 14). Lebanon's politics paralyzed by regional conflict. Retrieved
February 4, 2015, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/14/us-lebanon-politicsidUSKCN0IX18K20141114
List of cathedrals in Lebanon. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cathedrals_in_Lebanon
RFI. (2011, June 13). New Lebanese government formed. Retrieved February 4, 2015, from
http://www.english.rfi.fr/middle-east/20110613-new-lebanese-government-formed
Rubenstein, J. M. (2014). The cultural landscape: An introdction to human geography. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Sztypuljak, D. (n.d.). Trailer & Images from Lebanon. Retrieved February 4, 2015, from
http://www.heyuguys.com/trailer-images-from-lebanon/
The Lebanese civil war. (2008-2015). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from
http://www.thefinertimes.com/War-in-The-Middle-East/the-lebanese-civil-war.html
The Middle East and Iran. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from http://war-in-middleeast.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunni-shiite-demographics-of-lebanon.html
This One Photo Shows What Many Muslim & Conservative Christians Have In Common | Liberty
Viral. (2014, July 4). Retrieved February 4, 2015, from http://libertyviral.com/this-one-photoshows-what-many-muslim-conservative-christians-have-in-common/#axzz3QoELV1fs