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Write an account of how the end of the Iran–Iraq War led to problems in the region. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
Write an account of how the end of the Iran–Iraq War led to problems in the region.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Write an account of how the end of the Iran–Iraq War led to problems in the region. - AQA - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Consequences of War and Economic Strain
Answer
The end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988 left both nations economically devastated. Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, faced significant financial burdens due to war debts, leading to a need to increase its oil production to regenerate wealth. This strategy, however, brought Iraq into conflict with neighboring Kuwait, which was producing oil above its OPEC quota, further straining relations.
Step 2
Saddam Hussein's Aggressive Policies
Answer
In an effort to reclaim lost revenue, Hussein threatened Kuwait, claiming it was historically part of Iraq. This aggressive posture contributed to rising tensions in the Gulf region, culminating in the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, which would lead to the Gulf War.
Step 3
Regional Instability and Foreign Intervention
Answer
The Gulf War not only destabilized Iraq but also drew in foreign powers, most notably the United States and its allies. Their intervention increased militarization and fostered animosity towards the West, creating a prolonged cycle of conflict and instability in the region, which has been felt in subsequent decades.
Step 4
Rise of Sectarian Conflict
Answer
Additionally, the power vacuum and weakened state structures in Iraq following the war contributed to the rise of sectarian violence. Ethnic divisions, especially between Sunni and Shia groups, were exacerbated, leading to prolonged conflicts that would eventually spiral into further wars in the region, such as the Iraq War in 2003.