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 Current Conflicts:
Case Studies in the Muslim World
 
A Brief Chronology of the History of Iraq
(Compiled by Gloria Neumeier) 
1534 - 1916  Iraq is part of Ottoman Turkish Empire, ruled by Sultanate in Istanbul 
1914 -1918  World War I
British promise Arab independence in return for Arab "revolt" against Turkish Empire. In secret, British and French (with Russian consent) make Sykes-Picot Treaty dividing Arab lands between them in League of Nations approved mandates or protectorates. 
For an on-line map see: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~gov46/sykes-picot-1916.gif
1920 - 1923  The working out of these agreements result in the British simply drawing the boundary lines of new countries like Iraq, Kuwait and even adjusting Saudi Arabia's claims on oil rich lands. British put an Arab prince, Faisal, a foreigner to Iraqis, on the throne. It is these impositions that Arab nationalists still regard as a crime against all Arabs and why Iraq claims rights to Kuwait. 

Iraq's boundaries include Kurds in the north, Shia Persians in the South and a minority of Sunni Arabs around the center. Throughout the 1920's and 1930's, these groups revolted many times and were repressed by British and Iraq monarchy.
1940s  Members of Iraqi military stage a pro-Nazi military coup. The coup is repressed and Iraq occupied by the British to protect oil resources. This added to anti-British sentiment, particularly among members of the military.
1958 Military coup, led by General Qassim, overthrows the Iraqi monarchy. This era is influenced by the Arab nationalism and anti-foreign sentiments of Egyptian leader, Nasser. Qassim declares Kuwait is part of Iraq. British troops forestall any action. 
1968  Baath Party takes control after earlier attempt fails. Saddam Hussein eventually rises to the top of government after a career in security operation involving torture and execution of all opposition - Kurds, Communists and labor unions. Baathists are secular socialists. 
1970's  Iran (under the Shah) encourages a rebellion by Kurds against Iraqi government. In 1975, Iran agrees to stop supporting Kurds in return for Iraq giving them part of Shatt al-Arab waterway, on coast of Persian Gulf - a waterway essential for oil export to Gulf. 

During the 1970's Iraq grows prosperous on oil revenues, modernizes, creates welfare state with loyalty to Baath party and Saddam Hussein who proclaims Iraq as center of Arab world. 
1980  Iranian Revolution ousts Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini now leader of Iran-declared an Islamic religious state. Khomieni denounces secular Arab states. Saddam Hussein abrogates 1975 agreement on Shatt al Arab waterway and invades Iran. 
1980 - 1988  Iran-Iraq War drains the economies of both countries. United States supports Iraq with weapons and technology because of resentment over Iran holding American hostages. Iraq claims it is defending the rest of Arab world from Shiite expansionism, borrows huge sums to support war.
1990  Kuwait demands repayment of debt; Iraq renews old claims and accuses Kuwait of manipulating world oil prices to bankrupt Iraq. Iraq invades Kuwait hoping to get more oil lands. U. S. President Bush pushes Iraq out in Gulf War. Both Kurds in north and Shiite group in south of Iraq, rise up against Saddam Hussein's rule but are severely repressed, although the United States promotes a safe Kurdish area on northern border with Turkey. 
1990's  Repeated demands for UN inspectors to have full access to suspected Iraqi weapons sites. An embargo is adjusted to allow an oil-for-food agreement. Iraq accuses inspectors of spying for Israel and the United States. Inspectors leave. Saddam Hussein blames western countries for deprivation of Iraqi citizens.