Slide 2:
Iraq invaded Iran on 22 September 1980, triggering a bitter eight-year war which destabilised the region and devastated both countries.
The then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein claimed as a reason for the invasion a territorial dispute over the Shatt al-Arab, the waterway which forms the boundary between the two countries.
However, the conflict was rooted in regional rivalry.
Saddam Hussein felt directly threatened by the Islamic revolution which had brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power in Iran the year before.
The ayatollah, for his part, saw Saddam as a brutal Sunni tyrant oppressing his country's Shia majority, and did not disguise his desire to see him toppled.
Thus, for Saddam Hussein, the war's purpose was pre-emptive: to overthrow the Khomeini regime before that regime could overthrow him.
He believed that Iran was in turmoil and that his forces could achieve quick victory.
It was a monumental mistake. Iraq invade Iran 22 Sep 1980
Eight-year war - destablised region devastated countries
Reason invasion (Saddam Hussein) – dispute over Shatt al-Arab – waterway boundary between Iran/Iraq
Truth – conflict rooted in regional rivalry
Saddam Hussein – threatened by Islamic revolution
Islamic revolution – Ayatollah Khomeini
Ayatollah – Saddam seen as “brutal Sunni tyrant oppressing his country’s Shia majority”
Saddam Hussein – war was pre-emptive
Overthrow Khomeini before he was overthrown himself
Hussein – believe Iran in turmoil, could achieve quick victory
Monumental mistake
“Ideas” Column :
“Ideas” Column Is the source accurate?
Is the source reliable?
Is it fact or opinion?
Is it relevant?
How will I use this in my essay?
Slide 4:
Notes
Iraq invade Iran 22 Sep 1980
Eight-year war - destablised region devastated countries
Reason invasion (Saddam Hussein) – dispute over Shatt al-Arab – waterway boundary between Iran/Iraq
Truth – conflict rooted in regional rivalry
Saddam Hussein – threatened by Islamic revolution
Islamic revolution – Ayatollah Khomeini
Ayatollah – Saddam seen as “brutal Sunni tyrant oppressing his country’s Shia majority”
Saddam Hussein – war was pre-emptive
Overthrow Khomeini before he was overthrown himself
Hussein – believe Iran in turmoil, could achieve quick victory
“Monumental mistake” Ideas
Good source as BBC is generally reliable
Can be considered accurate
May have other motives – journalists position on conflict?
Has provided a lot of facts
These are good facts that can be used for introduction
Provides an opinion here – need to support this with another reference
Appears that the Islamic revolution played a key role in the cause of Iran-Iraq war
This is a good quote that should be used in essay when discussing religious differences
Ayatollah – biased by religious beliefs
Opinion of author – appears to be correct – supported by other references