Free Report On History

1) Causes of the Gulf War date back almost a decade before the very Gulf War began. It was namely in the 1980s that the basis of the conflict originated. An array of political, economic and strategic interests of a number of states (both Gulf ones, like Iraq, Iran and Kuwait and non-Gulf ones, like those, who participated in the UN mission) intertwined in the region which led to the outburst of the developments as we know them.
Chronologically one of the first reasons were political developments during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). The thing is that Kuwait accorded a huge loan of 14 billion dollars to Iraq as a financial support to oppose Iran. After the end of the War, however, Iraq refused to return the debt explaining that protecting Kuwait was among the objectives of Iraq during the War. Another reason for political divergences between Tehran and Kuwait consisted in differing views on the policy of OPEC. In order to boost oil prices in the late 80s Tehran demanded from the other Gulf states that the extraction limits be restricted, but Kuwait was the only state that opposed this demand, due to which the new price policy was not enforced. But the main reason which can also be considered a pretext for the War was the allegation worded by Iraq that blamed Kuwait for diagonal drilling in the near-border area, hinting on the fact that Kuwait had been extracting, in fact, Iraqi oil, not Kuwaiti. This allegations were articulated by Tehran in summer 1990 and already in August 1990 Saddam Hussein drew 100 000 of Iraqi troops to the Kuwaiti border and invaded Kuwait.
International community reacted on the spot within the framework of the UN Security Council imposing economic sanctions on Iraq. In November, Iraq having left impervious to pleas and threats from the entire world, a new resolution was issued threatening to invade Iraq by the forces of the international coalition in case Iraqi troop would not be withdrawn from Kuwait by 15th of February 1991. As this did not happen an international coalition led by USA did invade Iraq launching operation Desert Storm and not only liberating Kuwait, but occupying 15 percent of Iraqi territory.
The legacy of the War was mixed. First of all, after the mishaps USA had in Vietnam this was a great opportunity for the USA not only to renew the prestige of its armed forces, but also to claim their long-standing interests in the region. For Iraq repercussions also were serious as defeat resulted in a long period of isolation and sanctions. What happened in Iraq in 1990 can be considered the reason of why the notorious developments are keeping happening there nowadays.
2) 1960s African-American civil rights movements was a political impetus that turned out to be able to fuel other movements led by other groups of minorities both in the US society and in global context.
It was namely starting with 1960s that gays began to declare their rights organizing first gay pride parades and organizing first gay rights groups. In 2962 Illinois became the first state that decriminalized homosexual acts and in 1966 in San Francisco the first transgender organization was created.
The rights of women became also an issue. Community centers were widely used by women for assembling and developing programs of action, the main points in which were raising awareness about such issues as abortion and equal salary for both genders. It was namely in 1966 that the National Organization of Women was established. This organization sought (and continues to seek) to end sexual discrimination in any sphere of social life.
National minorities also raised their voice in 60s. A good instance of this can be Chicago Movement (El Movimiento) organized by Latinos back in 40s. This movement fought for the political and economic rights in USA, for better attitude towards them – not as to immigrants but as to US citizens. The movement also reached its peak in 60s when numerous marches and demonstrations (like Poor People March in which Latinos actively participated) were organized. Native Americans – the other minority – went even further organizing Native Americans Advocacy Group in 1968 in Minnesota. The demands worded by Native Americans were far reaching – they demanded even sovereignty recognition. However, notwithstanding the fact the their sovereignty was not recognized this movement became a clear sign to Washington to take into account national minorities’ points of view.