Iraq War Q and 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: the mountainous regions in the north Shi'a: the south Sunnis: the less oil-rich areas

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

3. What is the main reason Britain become involved in Iraq?
The British wanted control over land that was rich in oil.

4. What did pan-Arabists advocate after World War II?
Pan-Arabists supported independence for the Middle east and to sever ties with Britain.

5. How was Saddam Hussein able to gain power and popularity in the 1970s?
He got rid of all of his enemies in the government and gave more freedom to women.

6. Why did the United States become involved in the Iran-Iraq War?
To help Iraq by giving them American weapons after Iran started to invade Kuwait ships.

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. Bush was concerned about the consequences of controlling a Iraq, a very weak country.

b. He also objected to completely defeating Iraq's army along with 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 groups in Iraq are the Kurds, the Shi'a and the Sunnis. The different religious groups are the Muslims and the Islamic people. It is important to understand the differences because they all have different beliefs. There are have conflicts between eachother because of those beliefs. The differences make it difficult for Iraq to unite as a country.

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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. Iraq's suspected weapons program.

b. Iraq's support 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. Also to uncover weapons of mass destruction.

11. List two reasons violence continues in Iraq.

a. People's possesion of illegal weapons.

b. the lack of an effective government which leads to local militia as a main protector.

Extended Response:

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

Shi'a: To increase power in Iraq, resisting Sunni and U.S. dominance.

Sunni: To fight al Qaeda with the U.S. forces, resisting Shi'i and U.S. dominance

Kurd: Self-determination.

al Qaeda: Violence towards the U.S. to drive them out, also instigating civil war in Iraq.