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Section III (Peace and Conflict): Conflict in the Gulf 1980-2011
Quick questions on Iraqi invasion of Kuwait 1990: HSC Modern History Conflict in the Gulf
11short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the post-war Iraq problem?Show answer
Iraq emerged from the Iran-Iraq War (ceasefire 20 August 1988) with an army of around 1 million but a wrecked economy. Foreign debt totalled around 80 billion US dollars. Annual debt service exceeded annual oil revenues. The regime needed money.
What is the Glaspie meeting?Show answer
US ambassador April Glaspie was summoned to meet Saddam on 25 July 1990. The Iraqi transcript records Glaspie saying:
What is last diplomacy?Show answer
US-Iraq talks between Baker and Aziz at Geneva on 9 January 1991 lasted six hours and produced nothing. The Iraqi National Assembly voted on 14 January 1991 to authorise war. The UN deadline expired at midnight on 15 January 1991 New York time.
What is resolution 660?Show answer
14-0 with Yemen abstaining. Condemned the invasion and demanded immediate withdrawal.
What is resolution 661?Show answer
Imposed comprehensive sanctions: a total trade embargo on Iraq and Kuwait.
What is resolution 662?Show answer
Declared the annexation null and void.
What is resolution 665?Show answer
Authorised naval enforcement of the sanctions.
What is resolution 678?Show answer
Authorised "all necessary means" if Iraq had not withdrawn by 15 January 1991. The vote was 12-2 (Cuba and Yemen against, China abstaining). This was the legal basis for war.
What is q1?Show answer
Source A is UN Resolution 678 (29 November 1990). Using Source A and your own knowledge, explain the international response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. [5 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Evaluate the extent to which the 1990 invasion of Kuwait was the result of Saddam's economic crisis rather than a planned annexation. [25 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Compare the views of Lawrence Freedman and Pierre Razoux on the causes of the 1990 invasion. [10 marks]