Chapter Overview

Chapter 15: Africa and the Middle East

Chapter Overview

African states gained independence after World War II, but troubling conditions and authoritarian rule remained widespread. The Middle East has been the site of much conflict. The Islamic revival has affected the lives of people throughout the Middle East. The war on terrorism was launched in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Section 1 Independence in Africa
Independent African states emerged after World War II with high hopes for democracy. Many African leaders advocated Western-style capitalism. Others called for an African form of socialism. Pan-Africanism was also a popular political idea, although African unity never became a political reality. Indeed, bloody wars between competing ethnic groups have been common. Economic challenges have included the need to import technology and manufactured goods, and to confront rapid population growth and drought. AIDS has become widespread. Despite attempts at democracy, one-party states and corrupt military regimes have been more typical. However, protest has brought some democratic change. The struggle to end apartheid resulted in the election of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela as president of South Africa. Pockets of Western culture in Africa's cities contrast with the traditional life in rural areas. Tension between traditional and modern practices has been a dilemma for many Africans and is reflected in African art and literature.

Section 2 Conflict in the Middle East
In 1948, a United Nations resolution divided Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. However, the problem of Palestinian refugees from that time has persisted. During the 1950s Gamal Abdel Nasser became the leader of the Pan-Arab movement. Nasser's confrontation with Israel led to the Six-Day War, in which Israel gained large pieces of territory and brought one million more Palestinians under its control. During the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, oil price hikes led to economic problems in Europe and the United States. The intifada, a popular Palestinian uprising, led to negotiations on Palestinian autonomy, although progress has been slow. A revolution in Iran ended American ties with a close ally and led to an Islamic republic ruled by Islamic law. Iran and Iraq fought a brutal war. Iraqi president Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait but was forced to withdraw after an American-led force organized to free Kuwait.

Section 3 The Challenge of Terrorism
Death and destruction have resulted from the terrorist acts of Islamic militants who want to defeat pro-Western governments in the Middle East and establish their idea of a pure Islamic state. These terrorists kill civilians, take hostages, and hijack planes to advance their goals. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States and its allies attacked al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan. The United States is also fighting the war on terror on the home front. In October 2001, Congress passed the Patriot Act, which included loosened restrictions on law enforcement searches. Critics of the bill claim that the bill tramples on a citizen's constitutional rights. In March 2003, a U.S.-led coalition attacked Iraq, believing that it possessed weapons of mass destruction; when none were found, many questioned the decision to begin the war. However, the war did result in the capture of Iraq's brutal dictator, Saddam Hussein, and free elections for the Iraqis. Violence and unrest are continuing problems in the region.