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1900
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the area that we now think of as Iraq was actually Three provinces of the Turkish Empire.
1900
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the three provinces combined were dominated by the British. For Iraqui nationalists this was a bitter blow because they wanted independence for Iraq
1920
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The British had a rebellion, they had 100,000 troops in Iraq. They crushed the uprising and they aroused even more opposition.
1921
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British control Iraq's policy and had two airbases near Basra and Baghdad. Moreover, they controlled oil. They did this by the British owned company "Iraqui Petroleum Company" which drilled and sold all of Iraq's oil.
1921
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British realised that they couldn't run the country on their own. So they invited Faisal (member of a leading Arab family) to become king of irak. However, Irak was far from independent
1940
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The monarchy remained for 35 years. Iraq had a very good economic development and the education also improved. Nevertheless, there was a lot of discontent:
-The country was ruled by a few of landowners and the majority of the population was very poor.
-Britain supported the new Jewish state of Israel.
-In 1952, the Iraqi government agreed to share the profits of oil in equal parts between Iraq and Britain.
1958
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In 1958, Iraq became a republic and after a coup in 1968 the republic was ruled by the Baath Party. Most Baathists were Sunni Muslims, however the Shiites formed the majority of the population.
1968
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Saddam Hussein was one of the Baathist who participate in the coup of 1968. Hussein was immersed in the anti-Britsh and anti-Western atmosphere. He was made Vice-President, however he was the strongest manin the regime.
1968
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Hussein admired Stalin and he used similar methods to build up his own power. Hussein controlled the Baath Party, the most important departments in the government and the army. He placed family and friends in important positions of power and of the army.
1972
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Saddam and the Baathists became more powerful, extending their control over Iraqi government and society.
1972
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The government nationalised and took complete control of the Iraqi oil industry. He used the Iraqi oil to build up education, health and welfare services. The country became richer, they build roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and dams. Moreover, the Iraqis became more educated and healthcare. New lawyers, businessmen and government officials emerged.
1974
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Iraq's population was made up of three main groups: Shia muslims, Sunni muslims and Kurds. The Kurds were self-rulers but Saddam wanted to control the Kurdish North. Between 1974 and 1975 he attacked the Kurds. The Kurds lost their self-government and most of them were executed or send to exile. The Kurds get help from Iran; later Iran and Iraq go to war and the Kurds get control in the north of Iraq. Hussein saw this as a threat so bombarded the Kurdish using chemical weapons. This was one of reasons for which Saddam was put on trial and later executed.
1976
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Hussein was made a general in the army. He was a good leader and the President became more weak. Repression was extended throughout Iraqi society. Sadam Hussein forced the ailing President to retire and he became the President of Iraq.
1979
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He held on in power for 25 years in spite of several plots against him. In many ways he continued ruling Iraq in similar ways to those who were before him. When he became to power he carried out a brutal purge to anyone who might be a Threat to him.
1980
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Saddam became suspicious of the Shiite majority in Iraq. Between 1980 and 1981 200,000 Shites were deported to Iran as their loyalty wasn't proved