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The Persian Gulf War

Let us take a look!

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Introduction:

  • President H.W. Bush’s biggest foreign policy challenge occured when the country of Iraq invaded its neighbor Kuwait
    • This occured on August 2, 1990

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Introduction:

  • By taking Kuwait, Iraq gained control of 20 percent of the world’s oil reserves
  • Also, Iraq gained a substantial coastline on the Persian Gulf

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Causes of the War:

  • Since 1979, Saddam Hussein was the dictator of Iraq
  • The U.S. feared the following
    • How Hussein would use his influence over such a large oil supply
    • Saddam may invade Saudi Arabia next, which had even more oil

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Additional Statistics:

  • Iraq had the world’s 5th largest army
  • According to Fortune Magazine, Kuwait is the 7th richest country in world

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Iraq Invades Kuwait Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9zIVJ_coig&has_verified=1

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Crisis in Kuwait: Strategy Development Briefing

Let us take a look at the directions!

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Causes of the War:

  • President Bush built up an international coalition demanding Saddam leave Kuwait
    • UN also drafted a resolution demanding Iraq leave

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Operation Desert Storm:

  • By the fall of 1990, 700,000 troops assembled in Saudi Arabia
  • President Bush hoped the presence of troops would be enough
    • It did not work
  • On January 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm was launched

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Leaders and Developers of the Operation:

  • General Colin Powell
  • General Norman Schwarzkopf

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Operation Desert Storm:

  • American-led coalition bombed Iraqi forces for five weeks
    • Iraq responded by launching scud missiles on coalition forces and Israel

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Group Discussion:

  • In your groups, answer the question below
    • Why did Saddam attack the nation of Israel, who was not involved in the coalition against him?
  • Once everyone is done, we will review everyone’s answers as a class

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Operation Desert Storm:

  • On February 23, coalition forces invaded Kuwait
    • Iraqi troops surrendered or fled
    • Iraqi also set fire to oil fields in Kuwait
    • It took four days to liberate Kuwait
    • Iraq lost 25,000 men, while American forces lost 148 men

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News Footage of Operation Desert Storm Video

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/video/flashback-operation-desert-storm-602522691675

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Largest Oil Spill:

  • When the Iraqi forces burn the oil fields, it resulted in the largest oil spill in human history
  • An estimated 240 to 260 million gallons of crude oil were spilled�

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Burning of Kuwaiti Oil Fields Video

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Operation Desert Storm:

  • Once Kuwait was liberated, coalition forces did not pursue Iraqi forces into Iraq to Baghdad and overthrow Saddam Hussein
    • Saddam and his regime survived
  • Bush’s approval rating skyrocketed

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Operation Desert Storm Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2TQ8a4LK3A

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Group Discussion:

  • In your groups, answer the question below
    • Did President Bush make a mistake by not pursuing complete victory and overthrowing Saddam Hussein? Why or why not?
  • Once everyone is done, we will review everyone’s answers as a class