Oklahoma Academic Standard 5. The student will evaluate post World War II regional events leading to the transformations of the modern world (1945-1990 CE).

Objective 5.2  Evaluate the ongoing regional disputes of the Middle East, including the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq conflict, and the invasion of Kuwait.

In a Nutshell

Students should consider how the post World War II conflicts in this geographical area center on national sovereignty and control of natural resources. Understanding the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq conflict will give students the ability to appreciate the volatile nature of politics in the region and the ongoing struggle between secular and religious authorities. In addition, students should examine foreign policy and the rationale for the United States intervention.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students to evaluate how globalization and the expanding use of petroleum contributes to conflict and cooperation in the Middle East.

• Facilitate student analysis regarding the ways in which incentives and the availability of resources have influenced what is produced and distributed in different types of economic systems in the Middle East. 

• Develop, investigate and evaluate the causes of conflict in the Middle East considering religion, resources, and culture. 

• Analyze information from visual, oral, digital, and interactive texts (e.g. maps, charts, images, political cartoons, videos) about the invasion of Kuwait in order to draw conclusions regarding the cause and impact of the invasion.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Saddam Hussein, Ayatollah Khomeini, Mohammad Reza Shah

• American Hostage situation 

• rise of nationalism in the Middle East

• conflict between theocracies and secular government

• invasion of Kuwait and response by United States-led coalition 

• Some students may mistakenly assume that most Muslims are terrorists or sympathize with goals of terrorist organizations. 

• Some students may tend to oversimplify American involvement in conflicts of Southwest Asia as merely to protect access to oil resources.   

Instructional Resources