Introduction:

"The science of cartography is limited" - Eavan Boland, Irish Poet

This resource examines the evolution over the past 150 years of the many political, cultural, economic, and religious tensions that permeate the entire middle east region. This resource does not concentrate on the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. That conflict is only one of many tensions that exist in this troubled part of the world.

The "Middle East" is difficult to define. The geographic, political, ethnic, religious, and cultural borders that exist in the region do not always coincide. Formerly known as the "Near East," the modern day Middle East stretches from northern Africa and Egypt in the West, north along the Mediterranean Sea to Turkey, East to Iran, and South to the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the remainder of the nations along the Arabian Peninsula. This site also includes Afghanistan in its discussion of the Middle East, though that nation has only recently been included in the region.

The problem of defining the Middle East is not due to a lack of geographic, political, or cultural knowledge of the region. Instead, the difficulty arises from the fact that, depending upon which factor one chooses to analyze, the boundaries within the region begin to blur. If one draws a map that includes only Muslim nations, for example, then large blank spots begin to appear in portions of Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Syria. Within the Muslim countries as well, you have large divisions between the Shiite and Sunni sects, thereby creating further divisions upon the map. Likewise, a map of the cultural identities in the region appears spotty, with sectarian populations dotting the mountain ranges of a number of politically drawn nations.

This site attempts to rectify the limitations of map-making by examining each of the political, ethnic, religious, and economic boundaries in the region throughout the twentieth Century. By tracing the recent cultural, religious, and political histories of the countries in this region, along with the Middle East's role in major conflicts of the twentieth century, one can reach a greater understanding of the interplay among the different boundaries that exist.

Organization

The site itself is organized as a "Tool-box" for drawing an accurate map for the region. The site discusses four main themes, with each theme separated into two fifty-year sections. A timeline, with events sorted into one of four main themes, serves as a foundation for the site. There is also a separate readings section which provides resources for examining each of the four themes: Cultural and Religious Boundaries, Imposed/Political Boundaries, Economic Boundaries, and Shared Boundaries. Framing Questions for each theme provide a lens through which teachers and students can understand the fact that political, economic, and cultural borders are not perfectly aligned in the region. In addition to the broader Framing Questions, each reading is accompanied by a set of Reading Guide Questions meant to help structure teachers' use of these resources.

Use

The content is intended to both supplement and guide High School World Cultures and World History curriculum. Some of the more general resources can be used in other classes and at more intermediate levels, while some of the readings are more appropriate for Advanced Placement students. Because this region is so complex, it is often difficult to find objective resources that approach all of the factors that shape the Middle East. This thematic toolbox is intended to remedy that fact by providing a multi-dimensional lesson-guide for the region that combines historical, political, cultural, religious, and economic analysis. By combining exercises in modern current events with discussions of historical conflicts, this site's resources trace the relationship of change and continuity throughout recent Middle Eastern history. The site also examines the cultural interactions among and within Middle East society while discussing political cultures and political identities.

 

Editor's Note: This unit was researched and written by Erin Brooke Shively, a graduate student at Duke University School of Law and The Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University. The readings present a wealth of primary source materials, along with analyses from leading authors in each thematic area. We hope the questions that accompany each theme and reading will provide ample starting points for a thoughtful examination of this complex region. We welcome your comments. Please send them via e-mail here.

 

Cultural and Religious Boundaries • 1900-1949

Introduction
The Western concept of political nationality does not define Middle Eastern populations the way it does western populations. Citizens of many Middle East nations do not share a single religious or cultural background. Instead, individuals tend to trace their heritage to one of a number of ancient civilizations. Many current dialects Middle Eastern can be traced to ancient languages such as those of Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian (Farsi), and Hittite civilizations. Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia are the only nations whose language and culture are directly tied to their nation status.

In studying the Middle East, it is extremely important to examine the effects of the region's cultural and religious cleavages. These readings provide a chance to do exactly that. The framing questions touch upon broad cultural and religious themes, while the specific reading questions focus on more detailed topics in Middle Eastern society and culture.

Framing Questions
• What are the five pillars of Islam, and how do those fundamental beliefs influence beliefs and obligations in the Islamic world? How do these beliefs structure the social roles of Muslim women?
• Compare and contrast the main tenets of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. How are these religions alike? How do they differ?
• How did the environment and cultural differences contribute to the clan lifestyles and tribal mentalities among the Arab population?
• What types of difficulties did ethnic and religious groups encounter while trying to preserve their language, customs, and ancestral links in this region? What effect did the imposed political borders have upon sects that found themselves spanned across multiple countries?

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