Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Hafez al-Assad's primary goal during his presidency in Syria?
What was Hafez al-Assad's primary goal during his presidency in Syria?
Which of the following groups primarily opposed Bashar al-Assad's rule in 2011?
Which of the following groups primarily opposed Bashar al-Assad's rule in 2011?
What percentage of Syria's population is culturally Arab?
What percentage of Syria's population is culturally Arab?
Which religious group is the largest among Lebanese Christians?
Which religious group is the largest among Lebanese Christians?
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What external influence shaped Lebanese culture after World War I?
What external influence shaped Lebanese culture after World War I?
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What effect did Syria's civil war have on its population by March 2017?
What effect did Syria's civil war have on its population by March 2017?
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Which country gained independence in the 1940s after being controlled by France?
Which country gained independence in the 1940s after being controlled by France?
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Which conflict caused extensive damage to Beirut in the 1970s?
Which conflict caused extensive damage to Beirut in the 1970s?
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Study Notes
Syria
- Syria is an Arab country, ruled by a powerful family, recently experiencing civil war.
- Damascus is the capital, considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
- Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire in the 1500s.
- Syria was under French control after World War I, gaining independence in the 1940s.
- From 1971 to 2000, the Syrian government was led by a dictator (Hafiz al-Assad).
- Bashar al-Assad, Hafiz al-Assad's son, became president in 2000, aiming to improve Syria's economy.
- In 2011, anti-government protests started, met with brutal force.
- The protests evolved into a civil war, divided by the Syrian government and rebel groups.
- The civil war expanded to include the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
- Syria has a diverse population, 90% Arab, 10% Kurd and Armenian.
- Religious groups including Sunni (74%), Druze & Alawite (13%), and Christians.
- The civil war led to the deaths of approximately 368,000 people by March 2017.
- Over 11 million Syrians lost their homes, and about 5 million refugees left the country.
Lebanon
- Lebanon is a small, mountainous country on the Mediterranean coast, home to various groups of people.
- Many religions and ethnic minorities settled in Lebanon during the Ottoman period.
- France controlled Lebanon and Syria after World War I.
- Lebanon gained independence in the 1940s, with French cultural influence.
- Lebanese population is primarily Arab, divided by religion into Muslims (Sunni & Shia) and Christians (Maronites).
- The Maronites are the largest Christian group, while Muslims have become the majority.
- Religious groups struggled for power in Lebanon after independence.
- The 1970s civil war pitted Christians against Muslims, including Palestinian refugees.
- The conflict involved other countries, severely damaging the capital, Beirut.
- Warfare lasted until 1990.
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Description
Explore the complex history of Syria, from its ancient roots as one of the world's oldest cities to its modern civil war. This quiz covers Syria's colonial past, the rise of the Assad family, and the impact of civil unrest. Test your knowledge of the significant events and demographic diversity that shape this Arab nation today.
