9781422285985

US-Led Wars in Iraq, 1991-Present

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ago, the region came under the control of the Ottoman Empire, a major world power that existed from the 15th century until the early 20th centu- ry. At the empire’s height, the Ottoman rulers, known as sultans, ruled territories in North Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The sultans were Muslims, and so were most of the people they ruled. However, because the empire was so widespread, it contained peo- ple of many different races and cultures. To rule effectively, the sultans had to create a strong system of local governments. After Mesopotamia became part of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century, it was divided into three vilayets , or provinces. The moun- tainous territory in the north was ruled from the city of Mosul. A central province was ruled from Baghdad. The southern province was ruled from the city of Basra. The sultans appointed pashas , or governors, to rule over autonomous— politically independent and self-governing. creditor— a country or person owed money by another. economic sanctions— restrictions imposed to punish a country by preventing it from purchasing (or selling) goods and services. glut— a larger supply of something than is needed. mandate— the authority, granted by the League of Nations to an estab- lished power like Great Britain or France, to administer a less developed territory. Under the mandate system, the more estab- lished countries were expected to help the new nations develop good governments and the social institutions required for stability and independence. nationalism— the desire by a people who share a language and culture to gain a politically independent state of their own. protectorate— a country that is defended and controlled by a more powerful state. stalemate— a situation in which neither of two opposing sides can win. weapons of mass destruction (WMD)— weapons, such as biologi- cal or chemical agents or nuclear warheads, that are capable of killing large numbers of people. WORDS TO UNDERSTAND IN THIS CHAPTER