| 1534-1916 |
What is now Iraq is a part of the Ottoman Empire centered in Turkey |
| 1914-1918 |
World War I Britain promises the Arabs independence from the Ottomans in return for war against Central Powers |
| 1920-1923 |
Britain divides the Arab Middle East into separate nations, creating Iraq as a multi-ethnic state (Shi'ites, Sunnis, Kurds); a monarchy established. |
| 1958 |
Monarchy overthrown in a military coup |
| 1968 |
Baath Party comes to power; rise of Saddam Hussein |
| 1970s |
Iraq grows wealthy due to oil reserves |
| 1980-1990 |
Iraq-Iran War; U.S. supports Iraq publicly and Iran privately; Iraq uses chemical weapons against Iran |
| 1990-1991 |
Iraq invades Kuwait; U.N. authorizes U.S.-led coalition to liberate Kuwait; Gulf War under 1st President Bush; Iraq surrenders. |
| 1990s |
U.N.-brokered peace requires Iraq to disarm, give up weapons of mass destruction, allow in U.N. inspectors. |
| 1990s |
Iraq crushes Shi'ite rebellion in South and Kurdish rebellion in North, uses chemical weapons; U.N. establishes no fly zones in the South and North. |
| 2001 |
9/11 heightens fear of terrorism. |
| 2002 |
U.N. Resolution 1441 calls for Iraq to account for its weapons program, allow U.N. inspectors back into the country or face grave consequences. |
| 2003 |
New weapons inspections begin. |
