The Middle East has seen a great deal of conflict throughout the 20th century. According to a quote by Golda Meir, the main cause for this conflict is oil. This statement is incorrect, and the main cause of conflict in the Middle East is nationalism and statehood. Throughout the 20th century the Middle East has experienced two deadly battles that were the result of nationalism and statehood. The first was the Six Day War in 1967, and was started because the Israelis felt the surrounding Arab nations were preparing to attack, so Israel quickly acted first. The second battle, the Battle of Yom Kippur in 1973, was a result of the Six Day War, and was an attempt by the Arab nations to regain what Israel took.
The Six Day War in 1967 was a very short battle, and victory for the Israelis. Tensions between Israel and Arab countries continued, and as the UN left the Suez Canal, Egypt began to send its forces in. When Egypt had begun to mobilized its troops, Israel knew it was only time before there was an attack by the surrounding Arab countries. Instead of waiting to be attacked, Israel quickly launched the first attack to get the edge. This plan worked, and they destroyed 90% of Egypt’s air force in the first 6 hours, crippling the Arab states forces. This made it very easy for Israel to quickly end the battle, which only lasted 5 more days. This war resulted in Israel gaining a significant amount of land, including the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem. This war was started due to nationalistic tensions between Israel and the surrounding Arab states.
In addition, the Battle of Yom Kippur was a result of the Six Day War. After Israel’s victory, Egypt, and Syria believed that the land that Israel gained belonged to them, and wanted to get back. Egypt and Syria launched an attack on October 17, 1973, which was the day of Yom Kippur, a very special day for Jewish people. The Egyptian and Syrian forces were accompanied by several other Arab states in the attack, and soon gained back the land Israel had occupied. Despite this initial success, Israel pushed the Arab forces back out of the land they had occupied, with the help of US weapons, and intelligence.
However, Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries, known as OPEC, had caused significant conflict during the 70’s, in the Middle East, and around the world. Arab members of OPEC enforced an embargo against the US, and several other countries that supported Israel. This caused a large economic problem due to the extremely high oil prices. In 1973 oil prices increased by 70%, and continued to increase by 5% annually until their objectives were met.
Throughout the 20th century the Middle East in particular has seen a considerable amount of conflict. Although oil had created conflict, the majority of the problems the Middle East has had comes from nationalism, and statehood. Israel and the Arab states both believed they belonged and had the right to the land, and when negotiation failed, war was the next option.
The Six Day War in 1967 was a very short battle, and victory for the Israelis. Tensions between Israel and Arab countries continued, and as the UN left the Suez Canal, Egypt began to send its forces in. When Egypt had begun to mobilized its troops, Israel knew it was only time before there was an attack by the surrounding Arab countries. Instead of waiting to be attacked, Israel quickly launched the first attack to get the edge. This plan worked, and they destroyed 90% of Egypt’s air force in the first 6 hours, crippling the Arab states forces. This made it very easy for Israel to quickly end the battle, which only lasted 5 more days. This war resulted in Israel gaining a significant amount of land, including the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem. This war was started due to nationalistic tensions between Israel and the surrounding Arab states.
In addition, the Battle of Yom Kippur was a result of the Six Day War. After Israel’s victory, Egypt, and Syria believed that the land that Israel gained belonged to them, and wanted to get back. Egypt and Syria launched an attack on October 17, 1973, which was the day of Yom Kippur, a very special day for Jewish people. The Egyptian and Syrian forces were accompanied by several other Arab states in the attack, and soon gained back the land Israel had occupied. Despite this initial success, Israel pushed the Arab forces back out of the land they had occupied, with the help of US weapons, and intelligence.
However, Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries, known as OPEC, had caused significant conflict during the 70’s, in the Middle East, and around the world. Arab members of OPEC enforced an embargo against the US, and several other countries that supported Israel. This caused a large economic problem due to the extremely high oil prices. In 1973 oil prices increased by 70%, and continued to increase by 5% annually until their objectives were met.
Throughout the 20th century the Middle East in particular has seen a considerable amount of conflict. Although oil had created conflict, the majority of the problems the Middle East has had comes from nationalism, and statehood. Israel and the Arab states both believed they belonged and had the right to the land, and when negotiation failed, war was the next option.