Ottoman Iraq

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer takes a detailed look at the Ottoman rule in Iraq that began in 1535 and lasted until World War I. The writer notes that during this time Iraq became a central player in Ottoman religious, economic, and political developments, as it was important to Ottoman interests in protecting its lands from the Eastern threats, primarily those of modern day Iran. The writer points out that the end of Ottoman rule over Iraq left a territory that could only be ruled through dictatorships and thus political hardships. Further, the writer maintains that the progression of Ottoman influence in Iraq meant that Iraq was not able to develop as its own political entity, resulting in years of political and religious frustrations that are still manifesting themselves today.

From the Paper:

"Iraq came under Ottoman rule in the 16th Century as the Ottoman's brought all the holiest cities of Islam under their domain from the Persians. The conflict over Iraq to the Ottomans was that the Ottoman Empire feared the Persians from East and thus sought to create a Sunni buffer state in opposition to the Shiite Persians of the East. The Ottomans had important territories in what would become modern day Turkey and Syria and Persia posed a direct threat to them. This means that Iraq had a political purpose for the Ottoman Empire and encouraged the Ottomans to take control of the area. Creating a buffer state would not only help with international stability and security, but the political conquest of Iraq would help to cement Ottoman control over Sunni territory and heighten Ottoman influence in the Eastern portion of their Empire while securing their borders from their main Eastern threat. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Iraq's History Page." 22 Apr. 2007 <http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/history.html>.
• Rayburn, Joel. "The Last Exit From Iraq." Foreign Affairs 85 (2006): 29. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=996893171&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Roberts, Sam. "How the Middle East Got That Way." New York Times Upfront 139 (2007): 24. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1197559201&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• Shagoury, Michael. "Four Centuries of Modern Iraq." The Middle East Journal 57 (2003): 700. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=489430421&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=77110&RQT=309&VName=PQD>.
• "The Ottoman Period, 1534-1918." Iraq: Historical Setting. Library of Congress Country Study. 22 Apr. 2007 <http://historymedren.about.com/library/text/bltxtiraq8.htm>.

More papers on Ottoman Iraq:

• Research Paper # 64864 : "The Legacy of the Ottoman Empire"
• Research Paper # 3985 : "Iraq and the Kurdish Problem: A History"
• Essay # 137791 : "Explaining Iraqi and Lebanese Nationalisms."

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: