the middle east and north africa what is an arab? how did arab culture spread? what factors shaped...
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THE MIDDLE EAST THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AND NORTH
AFRICAAFRICAWHAT IS AN ARAB?WHAT IS AN ARAB?
HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?WHAT FACTORS SHAPED POLITICAL WHAT FACTORS SHAPED POLITICAL
DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION?DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION?
WHAT IS AN ARAB?WHAT IS AN ARAB?• LINGUISTIC LINGUISTIC
GROUGROUPP• Those who speak Those who speak
Arabic as their Arabic as their native languagenative language
• Not standardized Not standardized in spoken formin spoken form
Modern Spoken ArabicModern Spoken Arabic
Many dialects Many dialects hindered hindered communication communication and Arab unityand Arab unity
Al Jazzera News Al Jazzera News speak standard speak standard written Arabic written Arabic
Broadcasts from Broadcasts from QatarQatar
Arab CultureArab CultureNomadic TraditionsNomadic Traditions
Arab culture – Arab culture – follows customs follows customs common to a common to a desert desert environmentenvironment
Nomadic – Nomadic – search for search for water, grazingwater, grazing
Bedouin Bedouin TraditionTradition
HOW DID ARAB HOW DID ARAB CULTURE SPREAD?CULTURE SPREAD?
TradeTrade
ConquestConquest
ReligionReligion
TRADETRADE
Mid East Mid East Crossroads of Crossroads of worldworld
Between Europe Between Europe and Chinaand China
Great Trade CitiesGreat Trade Cities Caravans to Sub Caravans to Sub
SaharanSaharan AfricaAfrica
CONQUESTCONQUEST
Arab Armies Arab Armies moved West moved West
Conquered Conquered Egypt and other Egypt and other North African North African civilizationscivilizations
Arabic became Arabic became common common languagelanguage
RELIGIONRELIGION
Islam arose in Arabia (620 CE)Islam arose in Arabia (620 CE) Revitalized Arab civilizationRevitalized Arab civilization Arabs conquered neighborsArabs conquered neighbors Conquered people adopted IslamConquered people adopted Islam No translations of KoranNo translations of Koran Islam says “no conversion by the Islam says “no conversion by the
sword” but, were conquered people sword” but, were conquered people forced to convert?forced to convert?
al Azhar Universityal Azhar UniversityForemost Authority on Foremost Authority on
Islam Islam
EXCEPTIONS?EXCEPTIONS?
Not all countries in this Not all countries in this region are Arabregion are Arab
1.1.
2.2.
3.3.
EXCEPTIONS?EXCEPTIONS?
1. Israel – Hebrew (Palestinians are 1. Israel – Hebrew (Palestinians are Arab speaking)Arab speaking)
2. Turkey _ Turkish2. Turkey _ Turkish 3. Iran - Farsi3. Iran - Farsi
WHAT DEFINES THIS WHAT DEFINES THIS REGION?REGION?
Religion – birthplace of three major Religion – birthplace of three major monotheistic world religions.monotheistic world religions.
Oil – holds 56% of world’s reservesOil – holds 56% of world’s reserves
Water – drinking water and important Water – drinking water and important shipping lanesshipping lanes
RELIGIONRELIGION
Birthplace of Major World ReligionsBirthplace of Major World ReligionsAll monotheistic and linked by a common All monotheistic and linked by a common
ancestorancestor Judaism – 2000 BCE Judaism – 2000 BCE Christianity – 4 BCE Birth of JesusChristianity – 4 BCE Birth of Jesus Islam – 610 CE Koran revealed to Islam – 610 CE Koran revealed to
Muhammad Muhammad
JERUSALEM JERUSALEM Holy City for Jews, Christians and Holy City for Jews, Christians and MuslimsMuslims
Religion Links Believers Religion Links Believers to the Middle East to the Middle East
Strong emotional tiesStrong emotional tiesPeople around the world care about the People around the world care about the
politics of the regionpolitics of the regionWant stabilityWant stabilityAccess to the Holy Sites (Jerusalem, Access to the Holy Sites (Jerusalem,
Mecca)Mecca)Donate money and support causes based Donate money and support causes based
in the Mid Eastin the Mid East
OILOIL
Oil Money Causes TensionOil Money Causes Tension Not equally distributed (rich & poor Not equally distributed (rich & poor
countries)countries) ““Rogue nations” – oil money allows Rogue nations” – oil money allows
some countries to operate outside of some countries to operate outside of the world community. (Libya, Iran…)the world community. (Libya, Iran…)
““mischief money”mischief money”May conflict with Muslim values.May conflict with Muslim values.
““Mischief Money”Mischief Money”
LOCKERBIELOCKERBIE1988 Pan Am Flight 1031988 Pan Am Flight 103
Blown up by bomb planted Blown up by bomb planted by Libyan agentby Libyan agent
Libya proven to be state Libya proven to be state sponsor of terrorismsponsor of terrorism
Lockerbie Bomber freed by Lockerbie Bomber freed by Scotland in 2009. Died in Scotland in 2009. Died in 2011. Was oil a factor?2011. Was oil a factor?
MOMAR KHADAFIMOMAR KHADAFI
OPECOPECPowerful cartel controls Powerful cartel controls oil production and pricesoil production and prices
OPECOPEC
1960 regains control of 1960 regains control of industry from Westindustry from West
Increased demand brings Increased demand brings increased profitsincreased profits
OPEC uses their power for OPEC uses their power for political purposes political purposes
1973 Yom Kippur War – OPEC 1973 Yom Kippur War – OPEC curtailed production to punish curtailed production to punish Israel's allies Israel's allies Lines at pump, rationing, Lines at pump, rationing,
shortages, Odd/even days, shortages, Odd/even days, carpooling, fuel efficient cars carpooling, fuel efficient cars etc.etc.
80's recession decreased 80's recession decreased OPEC's PowerOPEC's Power
2012 Iran (OPEC member) 2012 Iran (OPEC member) threatened to close the threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz unless Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions liftedsanctions lifted
OIL , OPECOIL , OPEC
&&
POLITICSPOLITICS
2012 Iran threatened to close the 2012 Iran threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions lifted
Straits of Hormuz unless sanctions lifted
WATERWATER
Control of this Control of this scarce scarce resource used resource used to mean power to mean power in M.E., butin M.E., but
Desalination Desalination plants allow for plants allow for new new developmentdevelopment
• WHAT FACTORS HAVE WHAT FACTORS HAVE AFFECTED THE POLITICAL AFFECTED THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION?REGION?
Political Development Political Development Shaped byShaped by
Tribal CultureTribal CultureReligious ValuesReligious Values InvasionInvasion ImperialismImperialismArab Arab
NationalismNationalism
TRIBAL CULTURETRIBAL CULTURE
Alliances with Alliances with related tribesrelated tribes
First loyalty to First loyalty to tribal leaderstribal leaders
Outsiders not Outsiders not trustedtrusted
Problems with Problems with democracydemocracy
““Tribes with flags”Tribes with flags”
• In modern Mid In modern Mid East countries East countries tribal issues and tribal issues and practices are just practices are just below the surface. below the surface.
Iraqi Tribal LeadersIraqi Tribal Leaders
RELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS INFLUENCEINFLUENCE
• No separation of “mosque and state”No separation of “mosque and state”• This was a Western concept in reaction to the This was a Western concept in reaction to the
power of the popepower of the pope• No organized clergy in Sunni IslamNo organized clergy in Sunni Islam• Less concern about a powerful cleric taking overLess concern about a powerful cleric taking over• Religious values are an obvious framework for Religious values are an obvious framework for
GovernmentGovernment
The Sharia LawThe Sharia Law
• Based on the KoranBased on the Koran
• The teachings of the prophet MuhammedThe teachings of the prophet Muhammed
• The interpretation of Islamic legal scholarsThe interpretation of Islamic legal scholars
The Sharia Governs Civil The Sharia Governs Civil and Criminal Mattersand Criminal Matters
Civil:Civil:
•Religious dutiesReligious duties
•Business disputesBusiness disputes
•Family mattersFamily matters•MarriageMarriage•DivorceDivorce•Child custodyChild custody•InheritanceInheritance
Criminal MattersCriminal MattersCarry Harsh PunishmentsCarry Harsh Punishments
•Adultery - stoningAdultery - stoning
•Robbery - executionRobbery - execution
•Theft - amputationTheft - amputation
•Slander - lashesSlander - lashes
•Intoxication - lashesIntoxication - lashes
•Murder and injury – Murder and injury – retaliation by victims retaliation by victims realtivesrealtives
Sharia Courts Spark Sharia Courts Spark ControversyControversy
Should Sharia or Should Sharia or other religious courts other religious courts be allowed to operate be allowed to operate in countries that have in countries that have Western legal Western legal systems?systems?
Religious Divisions Religious Divisions Cause Tension In the Cause Tension In the
Modern WorldModern World Sunni /Shia splitSunni /Shia split Sunni 85% Sunni 85% Shia 15%Shia 15% Discrimination against Discrimination against
Shia minoritiesShia minorities Iraq and Iran are Iraq and Iran are
predominantly Shiapredominantly Shia
Shia LeadersShia Leaders
Leaders - direct Leaders - direct descendants of descendants of the Prophetthe Prophet
Ayatollahs in Ayatollahs in spiritual spiritual communication communication with 12with 12thth Imam Imam
Political PowerPolitical Power
Religious Minorities Religious Minorities Face DiscriminationFace Discrimination
FundamentalismFundamentalismQuickTimeª and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
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FundamentalismFundamentalism
Is characterized by a sense of Is characterized by a sense of “embattled alienation” even in “embattled alienation” even in the midst of a culture that follows the midst of a culture that follows the same religion.the same religion.
FundamentalismFundamentalism
• Belief that one's religious Belief that one's religious texts are infallibletexts are infallible
• One’s practice is better or One’s practice is better or more pure than that of more pure than that of others who follow the same others who follow the same faith.faith.
Fundamentalism is Fundamentalism is GrowingGrowing
• What causes it?What causes it?• Why does it attract followers?Why does it attract followers?• How can we deal with its violent How can we deal with its violent
forms – without more violence?forms – without more violence? (BBC News)(BBC News)
Christian Christian FundamentalistsFundamentalists
• Waco Massacre Waco Massacre • 1993 siege on 1993 siege on
headquarters of headquarters of Branch DavidiansBranch Davidians
• Cult like group led Cult like group led by David Koreshby David Koresh
• 76 killed, including 76 killed, including 20 children20 children
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Jewish Jewish FundamentalistsFundamentalists
• Orthodox in their Orthodox in their observanceobservance
• Torah given to Torah given to Moses by God and Moses by God and must be observed must be observed in every detailin every detail
• In modern Israel In modern Israel “settlers” claim “settlers” claim God given rights to God given rights to land designated for land designated for PalestiniansPalestinians
Muslim Muslim FundamentalistsFundamentalists
“Islamists”“Islamists”
Also known as Also known as “political “political Islam”Islam”
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Islamist GroupsIslamist Groups
Al QaedaAl QaedaHamas Hamas HezbollahHezbollahMuslim Muslim
BrotherhoodBrotherhood
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What explains the rise of What explains the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism?Islamic Fundamentalism?
• autocratic leaders, repressive gov’tsautocratic leaders, repressive gov’ts• overcrowded cities overcrowded cities • insufficient social support systemsinsufficient social support systems• high unemployment rates high unemployment rates • government corruptiongovernment corruption• a growing gap between rich and poora growing gap between rich and poor
• Will it go away if these problems are Will it go away if these problems are addressed?addressed?
Islamist Groups Are Islamist Groups Are Often a Problem in Often a Problem in Muslim Countries Muslim Countries
• Challenge their own gov’tsChallenge their own gov’ts• Threaten securityThreaten security• May impose their own strict May impose their own strict
regimesregimes• Assassination and terrorAssassination and terror
How has INVASION How has INVASION shaped political shaped political development?development?
• 333BCE Alexander the Great - Greek 333BCE Alexander the Great - Greek InfluenceInfluence
• 30 to 395CE Romans - Rise of 30 to 395CE Romans - Rise of ChristianityChristianity
• 395-1453CE Byzantine Empire - Parts of 395-1453CE Byzantine Empire - Parts of ME controlled from Constantinople ME controlled from Constantinople
• 1453-1918CE Ottoman Empire1453-1918CE Ottoman Empire• http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPI
RE17.swf
Ottoman Turks Were Ottoman Turks Were Muslim, Not Arab, Muslim, Not Arab, Dominated RegionDominated Region
IMPERIALISMIMPERIALISM
• Ottoman Empire is defeated in WWIOttoman Empire is defeated in WWI• The Allies divide up Ottoman lands The Allies divide up Ottoman lands • European domination 1918 to 1940’sEuropean domination 1918 to 1940’s• Influenced by western language, dress, Influenced by western language, dress,
education, law and governmenteducation, law and government• Western oil companies are powerfulWestern oil companies are powerful
Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles
• ““The Peace to End All Peace”The Peace to End All Peace”• Creates Mandates that gave control of Creates Mandates that gave control of
the ME to victorious European powers.the ME to victorious European powers.• GB - Palestine, Jordan, Iraq (Egypt)GB - Palestine, Jordan, Iraq (Egypt)• France - Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, France - Syria, Lebanon, Morocco,
AlgeriaAlgeria• Italy - LibyaItaly - Libya
British Mandate British Mandate In PalestineIn Palestine
See See
Israel – Palestine Israel – Palestine Power PointPower Point
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Arab NationalismArab Nationalism(Pan-Arabism)(Pan-Arabism)
• Post WWII movement to end Western Post WWII movement to end Western domination of the Middle Eastdomination of the Middle East
• Arabs had helped Allies during WWI Arabs had helped Allies during WWI and expected independence not and expected independence not “Mandates”“Mandates”
• But oil is too importantBut oil is too important• Arab Nationalists carry out attacks on Arab Nationalists carry out attacks on
Western targets 1920-1940’sWestern targets 1920-1940’s
““The Mandates”The Mandates”
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Independence Independence Movements After Movements After
WWII WWII
• Weakened by WWII and attacks by Weakened by WWII and attacks by nationalists, Euro powers can’t hold on to nationalists, Euro powers can’t hold on to “mandates” after WWII“mandates” after WWII
• Independence movements sweep the regionIndependence movements sweep the region• Some swift, some long and bitterSome swift, some long and bitter• Algeria fights for independence from French Algeria fights for independence from French
1954-19621954-1962• New governments take many formsNew governments take many forms
Governments of the Governments of the Middle EastMiddle East
Monarchy, Parliamentary Monarchy, Parliamentary Democracy, Republic, Fake Democracy, Republic, Fake
Republic and TheocracyRepublic and Theocracy
MONARCHYMONARCHY
Traditional Traditional Monarchies Monarchies
King, Sultan, Sheikh, King, Sultan, Sheikh, Emir hold absolute Emir hold absolute power.power.
What give monarchs What give monarchs legitimacy?legitimacy?
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Constitutional MonarchConstitutional Monarch
Monarch‘s power is Monarch‘s power is limited.limited.
People have rights.People have rights.
Some elected Some elected offices.offices.
Parliamentary Parliamentary DemocracyDemocracy
• Multi Party electionsMulti Party elections• Proportional Proportional
RepresentationRepresentation• Majority picks Prime Majority picks Prime
MinisterMinister• Or forms CoalitionOr forms Coalition• Vote of no confidenceVote of no confidence• People have a voicePeople have a voice
Turkish ParliamentTurkish Parliament
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RepublicRepublic““Presidential Legislative Democracy”Presidential Legislative Democracy”
• ConstitutionConstitution
• Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers
• Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances
• Free and open electionsFree and open elections
• People vote, elect representativesPeople vote, elect representatives
• Peaceful Transfer of PowerPeaceful Transfer of Power
• Rights of the people are protectedRights of the people are protected
Fake Republics?Fake Republics?
Constitution that is Constitution that is not enforcednot enforced
Rule by dominant Rule by dominant partyparty
Elections are not Elections are not free and fairfree and fair
Gov’t controls the Gov’t controls the mediamedia
The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring
•Authoritarian RulersAuthoritarian Rulers
•Abuse of Civil and Abuse of Civil and Human rightsHuman rights
•High UnemploymentHigh Unemployment
•Lack of OpportunityLack of Opportunity
•Gap Between Rich Gap Between Rich and Poorand Poor
•What is Freedom?What is Freedom?
Underlying CausesUnderlying Causes
The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring
Trigger Cause:Trigger Cause: •December 2010December 2010
•Self-immolation of Self-immolation of Tunisian street vendorTunisian street vendor
•Sets off protests Sets off protests across the MENA across the MENA regionregion
The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring
What made it What made it possible?possible?
The Arab SpringThe Arab SpringImmediate ResultsImmediate Results
Leaders Forced Out of Leaders Forced Out of Power in Power in
•Tunisia (Ben AliTunisia (Ben Ali))
•Egypt (Hosni Mubarak)Egypt (Hosni Mubarak)
•Libya (Momar Khadafi)Libya (Momar Khadafi)
•Yemen (Saleh)Yemen (Saleh)
•But others, like Bashar al-But others, like Bashar al-Assad of Syria, fight backAssad of Syria, fight back
Syrian Civil WarSyrian Civil War
The Arab SpringThe Arab Spring
Long Term ChangesLong Term Changes
Who will take power?Who will take power?
What new alliances will What new alliances will be formed? be formed?
Will all Arab citizens Will all Arab citizens have rights ?have rights ?
How will it affect U.S. How will it affect U.S. Interests?Interests?