TIMELINE HISTORY by Agustina Lezcano Treuer

BEFORE - 1913

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:13:52 UTC

Before the WW1, Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire

1919-32

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:14:55 UTC

Iraq was administered by Britain as a League of Nations mandate.

1932

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Iraq became an independent kingdom

1958

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The Hashemite monarchy was overthrown by General Abdul Karim Qassem

1963

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:17:14 UTC

Qassem was deposed by the Baath Party and military offices.

1968

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:18:19 UTC

President Arif was overthrown by the Baath Party and certain members of the previous regime.

1979

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:19:21 UTC

Saddam Hussein became President.

1957

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:21:57 UTC

Saddam joined the Baath Party. This involved him in a variety of violent anti-government activities.

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:23:40 UTC

Saddam demonstrated his loyalty to Khairallah by carrying out an assassination of a local government official in Tikrit.

1959

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-10-27 14:27:59 UTC

There was an attempt to assassinate Iraq's ruler, General Abdul Karim Qassem, it failed.

1964

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 13:38:49 UTC

Saddam was rewarded for his loyalty by becoming a member of the Regional Command

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Saddam began plotting a coup against President Arif (the conspiracy plans were uncovered and he spent two years in jail before escaping in 1966)

July Revolution 1968

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 13:44:38 UTC

After escaping arrest, Saddam Hussein focused on restructuring the Baath Party in Iraq, strengthening security forces, forming a new military, and expanding party branches. To overthrow the Arif regime, he collaborated with sympathetic senior army officers. In a bloodless coup, President Arif was ousted, and Bakr became the president, with Saddam appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). Saddam later ensured the removal of two colonels who posed a threat, solidifying his prominent role in government after Bakr's presidency.

Early 1970s

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 13:46:32 UTC

Saddam had shown that he was and extremely adept politician, both with regard to foreign and domestic issues

1972

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Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union, insuring that Iraq had a superpower ally

1937

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Saddam Hussein was born in Al Ouija, Tikrit, Iraq

1955

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Saddam and his uncle moved to Baghdad and Saddam attended to harkn High school

1941

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Saddam's uncle spent time in prison for joining an attempt to get the British out of Iraq.

1961

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 14:03:25 UTC

Saddam graduated from high school

1962

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 14:03:49 UTC

Saddam had a law degree

1987

lezcanotreueragustina — 2023-11-10 14:06:16 UTC

Saddam made campaigns against the Kurds (many villages were destroyed and thousands were killed)

Early 1980s

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Social spending takes back a seat to military demands due to Iraq's involvement in war

1979

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Saddam introduces a modernization program and builds a chemical warfare plant near Akashat.

1980s

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Iraq becomes a major military power with significant conventional arms imports from Soviet Russia, France, and other European states.

1980s

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Saddam aims to build a non-conventional weapons arsenal - chemical, biological, and nuclear.

1979

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Construction of the first chemical warfare plant near Akashat.

1980s

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Production of chemical agents like Distilled Mustard, Tabun, and Vx.

1980s

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Development of biological weapons industry producing anthrax, typhoid, and others.

1976

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Purchase of the Osiraq research reactor from France.

1981

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Destruction of the Osiraq reactor by Israeli bombing raids.

1980s

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Frustration of attempts to develop a nuclear capacity due to Allied bombing raids.

1951

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Prime Minister Mussadeq nationalizes Iran’s oil industry, causing tensions with British control.

1953

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Shah Pahlavi, aided by the CIA and MI6, overthrows Mussadeq in a coup, aligning his rule with Western interests.

1978

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Shah’s rule marked by protests, strikes, and clashes, culminating in a mass rally in Tehran

1978

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Black Friday - Troops open fire on demonstrators in Tehran, resulting in 84 deaths.

1978

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Over two million people in Tehran demand an Islamic Republic, Khomeini’s return, and the Shah’s overthrow.

1920s-1963

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Reza Khan starts modernization; Shah Muhammad Reza's "White Revolution" begins in 1963.

Late 1970s

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Income inequality grows; rich and poor living conditions in Tehran highlight the disparity. Conspicuous consumption instances, including a multimillion-dollar coronation and Shahyad Monument construction.

1975

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Massive military expansion with the largest navy, air force, and fifth-largest army globally. Funded by soaring oil revenues, but the majority experiences limited improvements in living standards.

Post 1953

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Shah consolidates power by appointing loyalists to key positions, rendering political parties symbolic.

1975

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Shah establishes the Resurgence Party, triggering opposition through anti-profiteering campaigns and attacks on the clerical establishment.

1957

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SAVAK, the secret police, formed with external assistance, grows to 5,000 agents and becomes notorious for brutal tactics.

1977

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Shah, facing international criticism, relaxes police controls, releases political prisoners, and allows Red Cross access. Concessions inadvertently boost opposition, leading to a surge in protests with increased visibility and vocal dissent.

mid 1970s

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- Widespread opposition to the Shah among various groups.

- Shared objective: overthrow the Pahlavi monarchy.

- Shah loses support from different segments of society.

1979

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February 1: Khomeini lands in Tehran after the Shah's departure.

September 1980

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Iraq invades western Iran, sparking an eight-year war with devastating consequences for the region.

1937

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treaty that favored Iraq

1969

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Shah of Iran rejects the treaty made in 1937 that favored Iraq

Early 1970s

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Saddam avoids a full-scale war, acknowledging Iran's formidable army.

1975

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- Skirmishes and minor battles lead to Saddam Hussein signing the Algiers Agreement, normalizing relations with Iran.

- Iraq drops claims on Khuzestan and concedes the border along the Shatt al-Arab to follow the deep waterline.

1980

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Shortly before invading Iran in September, Saddam renounces the Algiers Agreement, determined to regain lost ground.

1970s

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Iran and Iraq were the main contenders for regional leadership, with financial and military resources.

1979

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Egypt's expulsion from the Arab League

Late 1970s-1980

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- Khomeini calls for Iraqi Shiites to overthrow the Baath regime, leading to anti-Baath riots.

- Shiite militants initiate an assassination program against Baath officials.

- Saddam, viewing Khomeini’s actions as a threat, opts for an offensive strategy.

1988

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Ceasefire occurs, influenced by Iraq’s military advantage gained through Western assistance.