Iran and Iraq were not friendly neighbours.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Many in Iran were dissatisfied with the Shah's modernisation programme.
2. [1] Many in Iran were upset by the growing gap between rich and poor under the Shah.
3. [1] Many demonstrated against his autocratic rule.
4. [1] The Shah's secret police force, SAVAK, was hated because of its brutality.
5. [1] The Shah's lavish lifestyle created much opposition.
6. [1] Socialists and nationalists united in their opposition to the Shah.
7. [1] Khomeini led the religious opposition to the Shah.
8. [1] Khomeini criticised the fact that the Shah had opened Iran up to western influences.
9. [1] Khomeini opposed the Shah while he was in exile.
10. [1] The government's criticism of Khomeini led to mass protests.
11. [1] In 1978 and early 1979 Iran was engulfed by mass protests against the Shah.
12. [1] In 1979 Khomeini returned from exile.
13. [1] Opposition was spearheaded by the mullahs.
14. [1] It did this because it wanted to be in control in that part of the world.
15. [1] Saddam Hussein wanted Iraq to dominate the Gulf.
16. [1] Saddam wanted to increase his oil revenues.
17. [1] Saddam Hussein was worried that Khomeini wanted to overthrow him.
18. [1] Saddam worried that the revolution in Iran would spread to Iraq.
19. [1] Iraq wanted control of oil rich Khuzestan, which was part of Iran.
20. [1] Saddam Hussein wanted control of the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
21. [1] Khomeini was supporting the Kurds, who were resisting Saddam Hussein's rule in the north of Iraq.
22. [Explanation L3] The main reason why Iraq invaded Iran was because Saddam Hussein wanted to dominate the Gulf. Iran and Iraq were the two leading countries in the area and Saddam wanted to make sure that Iraq, and not Iran, emerged as the most powerful country. He thought that increasing his oil revenues by taking Khuzestan would give Iraq the necessary money to become the top country.
23. [1] Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait was not at all surprising. Many thought that he was going to do it.
24. [1] Iraq had an historic claim to Kuwait.
25. [1] Kuwait largely blocked Iraq off from the Gulf.
26. [1] Iraq was suffering terrible internal difficulties and Saddam Hussein needed a distraction from these.
27. [1] It was claimed that Kuwait was extracting oil from one of Iraq's oil fields.
28. [1] Iraq had massive debts and conquering Kuwait would bring it much wealth.
29. [1] Kuwait had increased production of oil which reduced its price, meaning less income for Iraq.
30. [1] Kuwait refused to wipe out Iraq's debts.
31. [1] Saddam Hussein thought that the USA had indicated it would not act if he invaded Kuwait.
32. [1] It was a big risk because it might cause the US to intervene.
33. [1] It might upset and alienate other Arab countries.
34. [1] Iraq was bankrupt and exhausted after the war with Iran.
35. [Explanation L3 (Not Surprising)] I do not think that his invasion of Kuwait was at all surprising. Iraq's rulers had claimed that it was part of Iraq for decades. They argued that Kuwait was an artificial creation by the British. They also argued that the creation of Kuwait meant that Iraq's access to the Gulf was greatly reduced. This meant that it was no surprise that Saddam Hussein decided to conquer Kuwait and make it part of Iraq.
36. [Explanation L3 (Surprising)] It was very surprising because he was taking such a risk. The invasion caused a massive storm both in Arab countries and all around the world. An international alliance was soon set up to drive Iraq out of Kuwait. This was the risk he was taking – that he would be driven out and humiliated. It was also surprising that he would take such an action just a couple of years after the end of the war with Iran when Iraq was totally exhausted and bankrupt.