1. The Eastern Mediterranean Ch 22 Section 2 pp. 510-515

2. Objectives The student will:1) discuss the holy places of different religious groups in the Eastern Med. 2) outline the history of political unrest in the region. 3) discuss the region’s economy 4) learn about modern life

3. Religious Holy Places • Three major monotheistic religions were founded in SWA: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam • All 3 claim Jerusalem as a holy city

4. Jewish Presence • Jerusalem is the ancient & modern home land for Jews • The holiest site in Jerusalem is the Western Wall (Wailing Wall).

5. Christian Heritage • Jerusalem is the sacred location of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ • Christians visit places like the Mount of Olives & the Church of the Holy Sepulchre • When Jerusalem was under Muslim control Christians launched wars, called the Crusades, in efforts to win the city back

6. Islamic Sacred Sites • After Mecca & Medina, Jerusalem is considered the most holy city to Muslims • The Dome of the Rock is the place where Muslims believe Muhammad rose into heaven • Jews believe this same site is where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son to God

7. A History of Unrest • The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) ruled the Eastern Med from 1520-1922. • The Ottoman Empire was declining when they aligned w/ Germany during WWI. • At the end of the war, the OE collapsed & Britain & France received the land of the Eastern Med.

8. The Legacy of Colonialism • France took the northern portion (Lebanon & Syria) & Britain took the southern portion (Jordan & Israel) to rule until they were ready for independence. • Tensions arose b/t different religious groups b/c the French often played the groups against one another

9. British Control Palestine • The area of present day Israel was known as Palestine • 19th cent Zionism: a movement to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine • As more & more Jewish settlers moved into the area, tensions b/t Arabs & Jews heightened • The British divided the area into 2 portions: Palestine & Transjordan to relieve tensions

10. Creating the State of Israel • At the end of WWII thousands of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust wanted to settle in Palestine • World opinion supported est. of a Jewish state • Britain referred the plan to the UN in 1947, which proposed a plan to divide Palestine into one state for Jews & one for Arabs

11. Creating the State of Israel (cont) • Arabs didn’t agree w/ the split • Israel was est May 1948 • Immediately Arab nations (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, & Yemen) invaded Israel; Jewish troops fought back & by the 1950s Israel was a firmly est nation

12. Caught in the Middle • Christians and Palestinian Arabs were caught in the fighting & many had to flee to UN refugee camps • Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)- a group that uses political & military means to gain control of Arab land in Israel

13. Economic Problems • Political division • Refugees • Lack of water • Weak infrastructure

14. Refugees & Civil Wars • 3.6 million refugees; some still live in refugee camps • Hard for them to find food, shelter, many are unemployed, poor countries struggle w/ education • Civil wars in Cyprus & Lebanon have also caused huge economic problems

15. Modern Infrastructure • Great economic potential • Good climate for agriculture; many tourist destinations • Many lack the infrastructure needed for a growing economy

16. Eating Out, Eating In • Separate eating areas for men & women • Hummus, baba ganouzh, fruits, coffee/tea, chicken & lamb are imp foods

17. A Variety of Cultures • Sunni Muslim Arabs are the majority • Lebanon has been a refuge for Christians & Shi’ite Muslims • Israel attracts Jews from all over the world 7 has many cultures as a result

18. Name 1 holy site for Muslims, Christians, & Jews. Why have so many groups fought over Palestine? How did colonialism add to tension in the area? 4. Why was the state of Israel created? 5. What are some factors that contribute to economic problems in the area? Check for Understanding