Middle East History Comprehensive Study Guide (1897-2025)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Middle East history from 1897 to 2025.

Zionism

A political movement for Jewish self-determination and a homeland in historic Palestine.

Diaspora

The scattering of Jews outside Israel, particularly after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple.

Nakba

The 'catastrophe' referring to the 1948 Palestinian refugee crisis when ~700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled.

McMahon-Hussein Correspondence

1915-1916 The agreement where Britain promised Arab independence in exchange for support against the Ottomans during WWI.

Sykes-Picot Agreement

1916 A secret treaty between Britain and France to divide Ottoman territories, contradicting promises made to Arabs.

Balfour Declaration

1917A statement by Britain supporting the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine.

First Intifada

A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the territories, characterized by civil disobedience.

Oslo Accords

A series of agreements between Israel and the PLO beginning in 1993, aiming for mutual recognition and peace.

Green Line

The 1949 armistice line which marked the borders of Israel prior to the Six-Day War.

Operation Protective Edge

A 2014 military conflict between Israel and Hamas leading to significant destruction in Gaza.

Law of Return

Israeli law granting any Jew the right to immigrate to Israel and gain citizenship.

Territories

Regions like the West Bank and Gaza Strip that are subject to military control and considered disputed.

Camp David Accords

The 1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, marking the first recognition of Israel by an Arab state.

Hezbollah

A Lebanese Shi'a militant group and political party, formed in 1985, that opposes Israel.

Palestinian Authority

An interim self-government body established following the Oslo Accords, governing parts of the West Bank.

Al-Qaeda

A Sunni extremist group founded by Osama bin Laden, known for the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Iranian Revolution

The 1979 overthrow of the Shah of Iran, leading to the establishment of an Islamic Republic.

Two-State Solution

A proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisioning independent Israeli and Palestinian states.

Golan Heights

A region captured by Israel from Syria in 1967, now considered Israeli-controlled but claimed by Syria.

Abraham Accords

Normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states, initiated in 2020.

San Remo Confernece

An international meeting held in 1920 to determine the future of territories in the Middle East after World War I, establishing mandates for British and French control.

British Mandate starts

1922- increased jewish immigration and favored a jewish state in palestine

British white papers

started in 1939 by the British government regulating Jewish immigration and land purchases in Palestine,

Truman doctirine

a US policy established in 1947 to contain Soviet geopolitical expansion by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries resisting communism.

UN plan 181

A United Nations proposal in 1947 recommending the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, aiming to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

UN Resolution 194

A United Nations resolution passed in 1948 that addressed the Palestinian refugee situation, calling for their return and compensation for their loss of property.

UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, established in 1949 to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees.

UN resolution 95

1951: askss egypt to be peacefull and let israeli ships through suez canal

Fatah

A major political party in the Palestinian territories, founded in t1959, known for its nationalist stance and as the leading faction within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

PLO

The Palestine Liberation Organization, founded in 1964, aims to create an independent State of Palestine and represents the Palestinian people in diplomatic efforts.

Khartoum Resolution

A set of resolutions adopted in 1967 by Arab states declaring no recognition of Israel, no peace with it, and no negotiations with it following the Six-Day War.

UN res 242

A United Nations Security Council resolution passed in 1967 calling for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories and the recognition of every state's right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries.

Arab oil Embargo

First Camp David Accords

A series of negotiations held in 1978 between Egypt and Israel, facilitated by the United States, resulting in a peace treaty that established diplomatic relations and a framework for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Iran Revolution

The 1979 revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini, marking a significant shift in Iranian politics and society.

Egypt Isreal Peace treaty

The 1979 agreement between Egypt and Israel that formally established peace between the two countries and resulted in Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula.

Isreal Jordan Peace treaty

The 1994 agreement between Israel and Jordan that formally established diplomatic relations, resolved long-standing conflicts, and promoted cooperation in various areas such as trade and tourism.

2nd camp david

The 2000 summit between Israel and Palestine mediated by U.S. President Bill Clinton, aimed at achieving a final peace agreement but ultimately ended without a resolution.

Israel withdraws from gaza

Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, which involved the evacuation of Israeli settlements and military presence, aimed at reducing tensions but led to ongoing conflict.

Hamas wins election

In 2006, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, leading to significant political changes and increased tensions between Hamas and Fatah.

Sea and air blockade in gaza

The restriction of movement imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip since 2007, limiting access to goods, services, and travel, aimed at security but contributing to humanitarian crises.