Iraq From WWI to present

By Grant Richards
  • Iraq region is no longer part of Ottoman Empire

    Iraq region is no longer part of Ottoman Empire

    Iraq region is no longer part of the Ottoman Empire after the empire collapsed at the end of WWI.
  • Britain creates state of Iraq with League of Nations approval.

    Britain creates state of Iraq with League of Nations approval.

    With League of Nations approval the country of Iraq is created.
  • Great Iraqi Revolution - rebellion against British rule.

    Great Iraqi Revolution - rebellion against British rule.

    Iraqis are tired of British rule and in the summer of the first year under British control they revolt.

  • Faysal, son of Hussein Bin Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, is crowned Iraq's first king.

    The revolt against the British is not successful but the Iraqis are able to crown their first king.

  • Iraq becomes an independent state.

    Iraq is admitted to the league of nations as an independent nation but it would only last seven short years.
  • World War II. Britain re-occupies Iraq.

    World War II. Britain re-occupies Iraq.

    Britain reoccupies Iraq and their short lived independence temporairily comes to an end.
  • Iraq is declared a republic.

    Iraq is declared a republic.

    The monarchy is overthrown in a military coup led by Brig Abd-al-Karim Qasim and Col Abd-al-Salam Muhammad Arif.
  • Saddam Hussein succeeds Al-Bakr as president.

    Saddam Hussein succeeds Al-Bakr as president.

    Terrible ruler comes to power in 1979.
  • Iran-Iraq war

    Iran-Iraq war

    Iran is successful and wins the war.
  • Iraq attacks Kurdish town of Halabjah with poison gas, killing thousands.

    Iraq attacks Kurdish town of Halabjah with poison gas, killing thousands.

    Demonstrates the strong divide between Arabs and Kurds in the country.

  • Southern Shia and northern Kurdish populations - encouraged by Iraq's defeat in Kuwait - rebel, prompting a brutal crackdown.

    Shows Saddam's power and use of brutal power to keep his reign over Iraq.

  • US forces launch a cruise missile attack on Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad

    Retaliation for the attempted assassination of US President George Bush in Kuwait in April.
  • Saddam Hussein wins a referendum allowing him to remain president for another seven years.

    Saddam Hussein wins a referendum allowing him to remain president for another seven years.

    Saddam's brutal rule would eventually would come to an end but this is very similar to the enabling act of Nazi Germany.
  • Britain, US carry out bombing raids to try to disable Iraq's air defence network.

    Britain, US carry out bombing raids to try to disable Iraq's air defence network.

    These attacks have little international support.
  • U.S looks to become involved

    U.S looks to become involved

    US President George W Bush tells sceptical world leaders at a UN General to confront the "grave and gathering danger" of Iraq - or stand aside as the US acts.
  • Ousting of Saddam

    Ousting of Saddam

    US-led invasion topples Saddam Hussein's government, marks start of years of violent conflict with different groups competing for power.
  • Saddam is executed

    Saddam is executed

    Saddam Hussein is executed for crimes against humanity.
  • U.S. ends involvment

    U.S. ends involvment

    US completes troop pull-out.