Iraq

Iraq

1. 1900

   • 1918
     • 1920
       • 1921
         • 1948
           • 1952
             • 1958
               • 1968
                 • 1972
                   • The government nationalised.
                     • It took complete control over the Iraqi oil industry, despite British opposition.
                       • Saddam used the wealth to build up education, health and welfare services.
                         • He was recognised with an award from de UN for creating the most modern public helth system in the Middle East.
                   • 1973
                     • The Iraqis joined other Arab oil-producing states in reducing production and sales to western countries.
                       • It was done to punish the West for supporting Israel against Egypt and Syria.
                         • One of the concequences was an increasing of the oil price 400%.
                           • Electricity was extended to the countryside.
                           • Agriculture was mechanised.
                           • Roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and dams were built.
                     • 1976
                       • Saddam became general of the army.
                         • The secret police, also under Saddam's control, got to dominate the army and the Baath Party.
                       • 1979
                         • Sadam Hussein forced the President to resign and formally became the Iraqi President himself.
                           • Lasted 25 years on power.
                           • He carried out a brutal purge of anyone who might be a threaten to him.
                             • He was highly keen on Stalin's use of terror to enforce submission. And threatened his enemies and his own party.
                         • 1980
                           • Iran and iraq went to war.
                           • 1988
                             • Saddam used chemical weapons in his planes to bombard Kurdish.
                               • This was one of the apisodes for which Saddam Hussein was later put on trial, found guilty and executed.
                             • Iran-Iraq's war ended.
                               • Kurdish was mostly depopulated. Chemical weapons were used to carry mass executions and bulldozering villages.
                           • 1981
                             • 200.000 Shiites were deported to Iran as their "loyalty was not proven".
                     • 1974-75
                       • Saddam tryed to extend his control over the Kurdish North. His forces attacked the Kurds.
                         • Iran helped the Kurds and this lead to a future war in 1980.
                 • The republic was ruled by the Baath party.
                   • Most of the Baathist were Sunni Muslims, and although the presence of difference, Shiites were brought into the new government in a show of unity.
                   • Saddam Hussein played a key role during this period.
               • The monarchy was overthrown. Iraq became a Republic.
             • The Iraqi government agreed with the Iraqi Petroleum Company that profits would be delivered equally to the Iraqi government and the British-dominated company.
           • Bitain supported the jewish state of israel against the opposition of the arab states
         • In order to "run the country with collaboration", Britain invited Faisal, a member of a leading Arab family in the middle east to become king of Iraq.
           • However, the British:
             • Kept control of Iraq's foreign policy.
             • Kept control of two airbases.
             • Still owned the Iraqi Petroleum to drill and sell Iraq's oil.
           • It lasted 35 years, a Period within Iraq developed greatly its economy and education.
             • Although, there was some improvement, the country was dominated by a small number of landowners. Most of the population was poor
       • Iraqi nationalists rebelled.
         • Britain tried to crush de 100.000 troops but just gained more opposition doing so.
     • After the First World War the empire was broken up.
       • The three provinces were combined as a League of Nations mandate run by Britain thanks to the Treaty of Sevres.
   • The area we now know as Iraq were three provinces of the turkish empire.

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