Conflict in Iraq Q &A

Directions: Read Part I (Pages 1 - 12) and answer the short answer and extended response questions below. Then, read Part II (Pages 13 - 29) and answer the questions that follow. All answers are due either on your blog (label the post Iraq) or you can submit them in writing on Tuesday. (NOTE: There are two graphic organizers at the end of the readings to help you organize your information for Part II.)

Part I Questions:

Short Response

1. Where do most Kurds, Shi'a, and Sunnis live in Iraq?

Kurds: Northern mountainous region Shi'a: Southeastern Iraq Sunnis: Central region of Iraq

2. Which ethnic group(s) hold(s) power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq?
The Shi'a and Kurds hold power over the majority of oil reserves in Iraq.

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
The main reason they became involved in Iraq was because of the oil-rich land.

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
They advocated greater freedoms and pressed democracy and development.

5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
He became the deputy to President Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr in 1968 and he modernized Iraq's economy and carried out social welfare programs.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
They became involved in the Iran-Iraq War because Iran stepped up attacks against Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, to improve relations with Iran and the hope that they would secure freedom for U.S. hostages in Lebanon.

7. Why did President George H.W. Bush (1989-93) bring the ground portion of the First Persian Gulf War to a halt? List two reasons.

a. they worried about the consequences of controling a completely destabilized Iraq

b. and objected to totally destroying Iraq's retreating army and toppling Saddam Hussein.

Extended Response:

8. What are the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq? Why is it important to understand these differences?

The different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq include the Kurds, Sunnis, and Shi'a. The Sunnis and Shi'a are two different understandings or as they put it branches in the Islamic religion; also known as the Muslim religion. The major difference between the Sunnis and Shi'a is that after the death of their Prophert in 632 they believed in two different people as the Prophet's descendants. Also, the Sunnis emphasized the aspect of conformity and social stability in their religion; while the Shi'a emphasized equity, social justice, and the dignity of the individual. The Kurds are much different from the Sunnis and Shi'a. They have been fighting for independence and to build up their own country, already named Kurdistan, since the the 1950's and they also live in one of the oil-rich lands. The Shi'a live in the other oil-rich land in the Southeast. It is important to understand these differences because they are an important role in Iraqi politics; many Iraqis feel more connected to their tribe than the state of Iraq.

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Part II Questions:

Short Response

9. What dangers did President George W. Bush (2001-09) say Iraq posed to the region and the world? Name two.

a. the supposid weapons program Iraq had

b. and the sponsorship of terrorism

10. What were the U.S. government's declared goals in sending troops to Iraq?

a. to end Saddam Hussein's regime

b. and to uncover the weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. illegal weapons dealers operate throughout the country

b. and in absence of effective government protection many communities are dependent on local militia to protect them

Extended Response:

12. Describe the different groups involved in the ongoing conflict in Iraq. What are their goals? (Reasons for fighting)

Shi'a: they believe that Sunni's are continueing Saddam Hussein's tactics and terrorism, they don't want Sunni minority to control the country again, don't want to be ruled by foreigners, and some groups support division of Iraq into smaller regions.

Sunni: they believe the Shi'a are trying to take control of the country and blame the U.S. for helping them, they don't want to be shut out of government, and they are concerned if the Shi'a were to control the country they would align Iraq with Iran.

Kurd: they are warry of Sunni's political power, the want self determination for Kurdistan, and there's disagreement between smaller groups of Kurds about if they should or shouldn't be apart of Iraq.

al Qaeda: Aims to foster sectarian violence in order to overthrow the Iraqi government, and more radical members seek to establish a caliphate (a single Islamic state that would encompass countries across the region).