East Africa and its close relationship to Arabia

Magnet geography / East Africa, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Arabians were the first African slave traders and the merchants who bought and exported African ivory and gold.

Arabians brought their religion to East and to West Africa. That was Islam.

Swahili is a language that comprises Arabic, African tribal vocab and German. It is the common language of East Africa and a lot of the world.

The camel is a work animal that is important to both regions.

Cut paper project on the Rift Valley of Africa

Magnet geography / Africa , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Sketch and cut out the continent of Africa.
Cut apart the section that is east of the Great Rift Valley. Move it a bit away from the continent.
Paste into notebook page.
Add the identifications. All of them.

5 pt project. Quiz on this material next class.

From the Mediterranean to the Arabian Sea quiz

Man in Arabian Sea, a photo by mReport on Flickr.

From the Mediterranean to the Arabian Sea
1. Name the tower from which the call to prayer is traditionally chanted: __ . a) minbar b) minaret c) Imam d) muezzin
2. Name the title of the person who chants the call to prayer: __ . a) minbar b) minaret c) Imam d) muezzin
3. Spiritual leader of a mosque: a) minbar b) minaret c) Imam d) muezzin.
4. On the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula: a) Persian Gulf b) Arabian Sea c) Red Sea d) Indian Ocean.
5. On the western side of the Arabian peninsula: a) Persian Gulf b) Arabian Sea c) Red Sea d) Indian Ocean.
6. Name for the trek to Mecca that is required once in the life of devout Muslims: a) Shahada b) Salat c) Hajj d) Ramadan.
7. Fasting from dawn to dusk is expected during the month called: a) Shahada b) Salat c) Hajj d) Ramadan.
8. Mecca is a city in which the __ is located. a) Kaaba b) Aqaba c) Qu'ran d) Zakat.



bdcaccda

East of the Mediterranean quiz

Taverna: fine arts dishes from the Mediterranean: Caleb's baklava, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

East of the Mediterranean

1. Nation that is Not on the shores of the Med: a) Syria b) Turkey c) Jordan d) Israel.
2. North of Jordan: a) Syria b) Iraq c) Palestine d) Egypt.
3. Nation that is Not on the Persian Gulf: a) Kuwait b) Saudi Arabia c) Yemen d) Oman.
4. Nation that is Not on the Arabian Peninsula: a) Egypt b) Jordan c) Oman d) UAE.
5. Body of water most closely associated with the Arabian peninsula: a) Mediterranean b) Atlantic c) Indian Ocean d) Black Sea.
6. Island nation on Persian Gulf: a) Bahrain b) Qatar c) UAE d) Kuwait.
7. The sole non-Muslim nation of the Middle East: a) Egypt b) Israel c) Lebanon d) Syria.
8. The Persian Gulf is named for a) Iran b) Iraq c) Saudi Arabia d) Oman.
9. The nation of Israel is believed to have nuclear bomb capability. The next nation of the Mid East to achieve nuclear status will be: a) Iran b) Iraq c) Saudi Arabia d) Oman.


cacacabaa

A city of 3 religions: the ancient city of Jerusalem

Magnet geography / ancient city of Jerusalem, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Holy city vocab:

Helena - mother of Constantine, Roman emperor; she converted to Christianity and led Constantine (city of Constantinople) to the same conversion.
sepulchre - tomb
via - street
dolorous - pain or sadness
Temple Mount - highest area of Jerusalem
Torah - holy book of Jews
Dome of the Rock - restricted to Muslim visitors at this time in history.
Romans destroyed ancient Jewish temple. Jews migrated away from Palestine to locations across Europe.

Separatists by culture: Jews in Europe in the Medieval era

Geography Magnet / Jews in Europe in the Medieval era , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Shakespeare gives Shylock one of the most eloquent speeches in the Merchant of Venice:

Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means,
warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer
as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us,
do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?
Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his
sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge.
The villainy you teach me, I will execute,
and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
(Act III, scene I)

"Peace the old fashioned way" vs diplomatic force

Drone used by US forces, Afghanistan, Iraq, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Diplomacy is negotiation. If you can assemble enough like-minded nations, you might well be more effective than through using deadly force.

If peace through bombing were viable the 2003 US invasion of Iraq might have proven successful. The US Army's "Shock and awe" plan, alas, did not lead to a great advantage.

It was the only example of a US pre-emptive strike that has been pursued.

additonal vocab -
- Isolationism
- emir, shah and caliph

Quiz on the nations in the region of the Persian Gulf

Magnet geography / Persian Gulf , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

- Iran (ancient Persia) is developing nuclear power. It is a huge headache for the US as any atom bombs which were developed might be used against the principal US ally: Israel.

Reasons for our continued and heavy-duty allegiance to Israel:
- the powerful Jewish lobby's impact on Congress.
- a successful defeat of Israel would be devastating to the US and the world.
- it is the Holy Land.


- Plus a note on the Petroleum Trap, in which people come to doubt the value of a formal education when employment in the oil industry is immediately lucrative.

The ancient and perhaps insoluble conflict between the Arabs and the Jews over control of Palestine/Israel

Magnet geography / Jews vs Palestinian Arabs , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Skits that brought the ancient Holy Land conflict to life were performed in geo classes.

Jews feel righteous because they
- are indigenous to the region.
- purchased the land to which they returned.
- after getting the ancient lands have improved the productivity; ie, "Made the deserts bloom."

Arabs feel righteous because they
- did not leave the region as did the Jews in their exodus to Europe.
- owned the land by virtue of long-term habitation.
- were made into refugees by the victories of the Jewish army as the state of Israel was being created.

Please see the board graphic for details.

Paper project: Masjid al-Haram or the Grand Mosque of Mecca

Magnet geography / Great Mosque of Mecca, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Cut out and glue down the mosque, the Kaaba and Black stone, the 4 minarets.

Label all items as in Sarah E's paper. 7 pts.

Open notes quiz next class. Plus a score for the Mosque Project.

Indie work this week: comparison essay (see guidelines) on the Grand Mosque of Mecca and St Peter's Basilica, Rome.

Mecca's (Mekkah) Grand Mosque / quiz next class

Mekkah's Great Mosque... (HDRi), a photo by Nomad Saleh on Flickr.

Vocab as relates to the Grand Mosque, or Masjid al-Haram:
- The Prophet Muhammed, 630 CE (Anno Domini)
- Qu'ran: revelations to The Prophet by the Archangel Gabriel.
- Grand Mosque of Mecca, or the Sacred Mosque
- Saudi Arabia
- Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea.
- Kaaba
- Black stone
- Imam
- minaret
- muezzin
- Hajj
- 5 Pillars of Islam
- Qu'ran (Koran)
- Lunar calendar

Paper cut-out project, with all identifications:
7 pts.

From Oxfordshire to Mecca / Lawrence of Arabia quiz

MECCA IN MY HEART 4EVER, a photo by uae_salahbabi on Flickr.

From Oxfordshire to Mecca / Lawrence of Arabia quiz

1. On his journey from London to Cairo, Lawrence's ship went through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. His boat also had to traverse the a) English Channel
b) Suez Canal c) Red Sea d) Persian Gulf.
2. In Cairo the viewer sees Lt. Lawrence at his British Army work: a) demolitions
b) dossier c) cartography d) translating Arabic.
3. Lt. L. is sent to Saudi Arabia to observe the progress of the __ . a) Turks
b) Bedouins c) Persians d) camels.
4. The "Med" is not spelled a) Mediterranean b) Mediterranean c) Mediterranean d) Mediterannean.
5. If your ship travels south from Cairo on the Red Sea your destination might be a) Greece b) Palestine c) Ethiopia d) Lebanon.
6. Body of water on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula: a) Persian Gulf b) Indian Ocean c) Red Sea d) Nile R..
7. The capture of Damascus is the ultimate goal of the Bedouin forces.
Damascus is the capital of __. a) Syria b) Lebanon c) Iraq.
8. The south coast of the Arabian peninsula is part of a trade route connecting
a) India and East Africa b) Egypt and Europe c) Persia and China d) East Africa and West Africa.
9. Egypt's bordering nation on the northeast is a) Yemen b) Oman c) Israel d) Lebanon.
10. Lawrence became expert at the __ camel. a) Bactrian b) Dromedary c) Persian d) Qu'ranic.
11. Lawrence leads Bedouin forces against the Turks from 1915 to 1918, says Wikipedia. This implies a) love of war b) consistent leadership c) ethnocentrism d) enormous egotism.
12. Col. Brighton asserts that "Britain is a small country. What makes it great is __ . " a) discipline b) navy c) technology d) bravery.

Prince Feisal (later, King Feisal) quiz

King Feisal of Saudi Arabia, a photo by Mig_R on Flickr.

Prince Feisal (later, King Feisal) quiz
1) In Arabia there is a conflict between the nomadic, tribal Bedouin peoples and the Turks, rulers of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - which includes Arabia. Who’s on the German side? a) Bedouins b) Turks.
2) “The Officer’s Mess” is a term for
a) a carelessly kept meeting room or b) the lounge area for the commissioned soldiers.
3) Arabian tribes are led by the wise, if weary,
a) Prince Feisal of Mecca b) Lloyd George c) Woodrow Wilson.
4) What is the attitude of L’s desert guide toward the British officer’s pistol carried by L.? a) curiosity b) extreme desire c) unconcern.
5) The Arabic word for canyon, usually a dry, rocky area between mesas, is “wadi.” What do the existence of these stone canyons say about the ancient geography of this region? a) centuries of wind erosion b) ancient waterways c) glaciation.
6) The tribal groups of the Harish versus the Hazimi: we conclude that murderous tribal warfare is a historic part of life in the vast desert. T / F
7 ) What kind of vessel is used to bring up water from the deep well in the desert? a) Goat skin b) wooden bucket c) woven-palm sort of basket-bucket.

The Blasphemy quiz and the Suez Canal

The Suez Canal, a photo by Mornby on Flickr.

Blasphemy quiz
1) Translate "Peace (be with you)” into Arabic: a) shalom b) salaam c) shazam.
2) Re. the scene where the Bedouins are strafed and have to move their camp. Where did the Turks get airplanes in 1916? a) Germans b) French c) British.
3) The scene is Feisal's tent. “Recite, then, as much of the __ as may be easy for you ... and seek ye the forgiveness of God. Verily, God is forgiving, merciful ...” These are the opening words of the a) Qu’ran b) Bible c) Baghavad Gita .
4) The scene in Feisel’s tent is unusually respectful of Muslims. I say “unusually” because of the traditional attitude: a) Western world's lack of respect for Muslims b) low Muslim self-concept c) all they have is oil, fine Persian rugs and chewy date fruit.
5) Lawrence quotes the Qu'ran. How would he know such material?
a) movie producer explained it to him b) his momma c) his Oxford education.
6) In 1915 the top British priority in the Mid East was protection of a waterway important to their shipping and movement of warships. What is the name of this key passage, which connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean? a) Arabian Sea b) Panama Canal c) Suez Canal.
7) In explaining to Feisel the reason for Britain’s worldwide power, the British officer puts an emphasis on England's __ . a) technology b) discipline c) skill d) wealth.
8) In the early 1900’s the city at the center of Islamic art, business and scholarship was not Mecca, nor Cairo. It was: a) Medina b) Damascus c) Jerusalem .
9) According to Feisel, do Arabs love the desert? No. Then what do they love? a) fountains and gardens b) mountains c) ships and oysters.
10) At the desert’s edge Lawrence spends a night concentrating on the Arab dilemma in their feckless fight against the Turks. He has a breakthrough. What is his solution? a) attack from the sea b) attack at night c) attack from the desert.
11) A cruel and terrible desert must be crossed by the Bedouin.
The desert is the a. Sahara b. Rub al Kali c. Nefud.

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, says Wikipedia.

Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows transportation by water between Europe and Asia without navigation around Africa.

There is an alternative to the Suez Canal: travelling around the Cape of Good Hope at the south end of the African continent. This was the only route before the canal was constructed. It is still the only route for ships which are too large for the canal.

In the early 21st century the long route has enjoyed increased popularity because of increasing piracy in Somalia.[57][58] Between 2008 and 2010, it is estimated that the canal has lost 10% of traffic due to the threat of piracy, and another 10% due to the financial crisis.

An oil tanker going from Saudi Arabia to the United States has 2,700 miles longer to go when taking the route south of Africa rather than the canal.[59]

Islam: the origin of the rift between the Sunni and Shi'a branches of Islam

Magnet geography: Islam, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The question of the right successor to the Prophet Muhammad was answered by the appointment of Abu Bakr, the prophet's general and best friend, as Caliph, or leader.

There were those who believed that Ali should have been named the Caliph. Ali was related to the prophet both by blood and by marriage to the prophet's daughter, Fatima.

Thus the Sunni are those who follow the succession of Abu Bakr and the Shi'a (or Shi'ite) believe that Ali should have been Caliph.

Sunnis are the majority in Islam. Most Shi'a are in Iran / Persia.

There are numerous other sects within Islam. For instance, the famous whirling dervishes are members of the Sunni Sufi.

The Wadi quiz

Mecca May 2010, a photo by HajUmrahDays on Flickr.

Wadi quiz

1) When the troops leave the wadi, the women watching them emit a high-pitched scream as encouragement. What is that called? a. ovulation b. ululation c. trepidation d. insubordination.
2) What small, Turkish-held city will be attacked by the combined tribes of the Harish and the Hazimi in a surprise raid?
a) Cairo b) Medina c) Aqaba.
3) This Turk-controlled city lies on what body of water? a) Gulf of Aqaba b) Gulf of Suez c) Gulf of Aden.
4) Lawrence is awarded the robes of a tribesman for his valorous service. Somehow, he finds the indigenous garments a) uncomfortable b) appealing c) murderous.
5) In the desert the Bedouins find a place surrounded by trees where their camels can drink. It is called an __ . a) aquifer b) fountain c) oasis.
6) What kind of trees are those - which thrive in the middle of the desert? a) coconut palms b) date palms c) oasis palms .
7) Days of WWI: From 1914 to __ . a) !917 b) 1918 c) 1920.

The classic elements of a mosque interior

Mosque interior, Istanbul, Turkey, a photo by Timothy Neesam (GumshoePhotos) on Flickr.

A mosque (masjid in Arabic) is a place for worship in Islam. Although prayers can be done privately, either indoors or outdoors, nearly every community of Muslims dedicates a space or building for congregational prayer, says About.com.

A minaret is a slim tower rising from a mosque. They vary in height, style, and number. Minarets may be square, round, or octagonal and are usually covered with a pointed roof. Originally used as a high point from which to make the call to prayer (adhan), minarets remain a traditionally decorative feature of most mosques.

The central area for prayer is called a musalla (literally, "place for prayer"). It is deliberately quite bare. No furniture is needed, as worshippers sit, kneel, and bow directly on the floor.

The mihrab is an ornamental indentation in the wall of a mosque, which marks the direction of the qiblah. Mihrabs vary in size and color, but are usually shaped like a doorway and decorated with tiles and calligraphy to make the space stand out.

The minbar is a raised platform in the front area of a mosque, from which sermons or speeches are given.

The shoe shelf is a feature of many mosques worldwide. Muslims remove their shoes before entering a mosque, to preserve the cleanliness of the prayer space.

Fountains are frequently found in historic mosques. They provide water with which to purify oneself, washing of the face, arms, head, and feet before entering the mosque and beginning prayers.

5 Pillars of Islam project due next class / 10 pts colorful illustrations

5 Pillars of Islam illustrations, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Five Pillars of Islam project due next class / 10 pts

- colorful illustrations
- brief explanations of each commandment.
- documentation.

Prince Feisal quiz / Lawrence unit

La longue nuit, a photo by alsltanm on Flickr.

Prince Feisal quiz
1) In Arabia there is a conflict between the nomadic, tribal Bedouin peoples and the Turks, rulers of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - which includes Arabia. Who’s on the German side? a) Bedouins b) Turks.
2) “The Officer’s Mess” is a term for
a) a carelessly kept meeting room or b) the lounge area for the commissioned soldiers.
3) Arabian tribes are led by the wise, if weary,
a) Prince Feisal of Mecca b) Lloyd George c) Woodrow Wilson.
4) What is the attitude of L’s desert guide toward the British officer’s pistol carried by L.? a) curiosity b) extreme desire c) unconcern.
5) The Arabic word for canyon, usually a dry, rocky area between mesas, is “wadi.” What do the existence of these stone canyons say about the ancient geography of this region? a) centuries of wind erosion b) ancient waterways c) glaciation.
6) The tribal groups of the Harish versus the Hazimi: we conclude that murderous tribal warfare is a historic part of life in the vast desert. T / F
7 ) What kind of vessel is used to bring up water from the deep well in the desert? a) Goat skin b) wooden bucket c) woven-palm sort of basket-bucket.

bbabbta.

In Arabia: the Life of the prophet

Magnet geography; Life of the prophet, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Islam - devotion to God, or Al'lah and to the teachings of the Qu'ran.

Muslim - a person who adheres to the teachings of the Qu'ran / Koran.

Mecca - birthplace of the Prophet Muhammed; the holiest city of Islam.

Medina - city in which the prophet lived while in exilke from Mecca. Second holiest city to Sunni Muslims.

Moslem - same as Muslim despite the adjustment in spelling.

Jerusalem - third holiest city of Islam. Jeruslem is holy to 3 religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Thus Fri, Sat and Sun are each sabbaths in the city of Jerusalem.

Khadija, a widow fifteen years Muhammad's senior, later proposed marriage to him, which he agreed to. They lived together for almost a quarter of a century, says quaranicstudies.com, until the death of Khadija - about 8-9 years after the revelation of the Qur'an. Muhammad did not get married to any other woman during Khadija's life, despite the fact that polygamy was common practice in that society.

It was in a desert cave in 610 CE, i.e. at the age of forty, that Prophet Muhammad received from Allah the first verses of the Qur'an. The verses were delivered by the Archangel Gabriel. The Qur'an continued to be revealed in fragments to Prophet Muhammad over the following twenty two years. The last words of the Book were revealed to the Prophet shortly before his death in 632 CE.

Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib: Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661,[5] and was the first male convert to Islam.[6][7] Sunni Muslims consider Ali the fourth and final of the Rashidun (rightly guided Caliphs), while Shia Muslims regard Ali as the first Imam and consider him and his descendants the rightful successors to Muhammad, all of which are members of the Ahl al-Bayt, the household of Muhammad. This disagreement split the Ummah (Muslim community) into the Sunni and Shia branches.[1]

Abu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death.[1] As Caliph, Abu Bakr succeeded to the political and administrative functions previously exercised by the Prophet, since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with Muhammad's death according to Islam. He was called Al-Siddiq (The Truthful)[2] and was known by that title among later generations of Muslims.

Indie work -
Brief comparison essay on the biographies of Jesus of Nazareth and the Prophet Muhammed.

Quiz each class on movie notes. See questions below.

Make a joyous, high-pitched, warbling sound: ululation!

World geography Magnet / Lawrence , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Ululation is a long, wavering, high-pitched vocal sound resembling a howl with a trilling quality. It is produced by emitting a high pitched loud voice accompanied with a rapid movement of the tongue and the uvula, says Wikipedia.[1]

The term ululation is an onomatopoeic word derived from Latin.

Ululation is found in some singing techniques and ritual situations. In Arab countries ululation is commonly used by women to express celebration, especially at weddings.

Ululation is commonly practiced by Jewish women of Mediterranean communities originating in North Africa, the Middle East as well as in Ethiopia, and central and south Asia at all joyous occasions such as at a hachnasat sefer Torah (the dedication of a Torah scroll, circumcisions,[3] communal celebrations, weddings,[4][5] bar miswa[6] celebrations, and most of all at henna celebrations.[7]

Ululation is also widely practiced in southern and eastern parts of India.

In Ancient Egypt, reference to ululation appears on the inscription of the pyramid texts of Unas, on the West Wall of the Corridor (section XIII),[12] and of Pepi I, in the Spells for Entering the Akhet.[13] In ancient Greece ululation or ololuge was normally used as a joyful expression[14] to celebrate good news[15] or when an animal's throat is cut during sacrifice.[16] However, in Aeschylus' Agamemnon, along with being an expression of joy, it is also used for fury,[15] and in Sophocles' Electra it is employed as an expression of grief.[14]

Southwest Asia, the home of coffee

World geography Magnet / Lawrence , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The home of coffee is Yemen, where you will find the city of Mocha.

Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia, says passionfocoffee.com, but was first cultivated on the Arabian Peninsula.

When coffee came to the Arabian Peninsula in c1100, it was the time of the Arab Empire. As those who lived in the Arab Empire were Muslims, they were forbidden to drink alcohol, unlike their European counterparts.

Over time, coffee became to the Arabs what wine was to the Europeans. The effects of caffeine were well-suited to Muslim religious customs. According to Islam, Muslims should pray 5 times a day. The stimulating effect of caffeine made it possible for many Muslims to stay awake during prayer time.

As the Arab Empire stretched through Arabia, North Africa, and parts of Europe, trade routes were established . Arab traders brought coffee to Europe, and Europeans too enjoyed the stimulating effects of caffeine and the taste of coffee. Coffee remained popular in Europe. As time went on and Europe expanded its influence over the world, like the Arabs before them, they traded coffee throughout the world.

TE Lawrence and the Turks and Arabs

World geography Magnet / Lawrence , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Ottoman Empire was headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, and controlled the entire Middle East. The people were Muslim Turks.

The Arabs were known as the Bedouins; they were nomadic tribes scattered across the Arabian peninsula.

The Bedouins wanted to push the Turks out of Arabia. Lawrence and the British agreed with that goal and gave military aid to the Bedouins.

By 1918 the Bedouins reached Damascus and pushed the Ottoman Turks out of Arabia.

Then, however, control of the Middle East was grabbed by the French and British.

Arabian Horse: handsome, speedy, tough and expensive

Arabian Horse Silhouette Black and White Print, a photo by Striking Photography by Bo on Flickr.

The Arabian horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula, says Wikipedia.

With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years.

Throughout history, Arabian horses spread around the world by both war and trade, used to improve other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and strong bone. Today, Arabian bloodlines are found in almost every modern breed of riding horse.

The Arabian developed in a desert climate and was prized by the nomadic Bedouin people, often being brought inside the family tent for shelter and protection from theft.

Selective breeding for traits including an ability to form a cooperative relationship with humans created a horse breed that is good-natured, quick to learn, and willing to please.

The Arabian also developed the high spirit and alertness needed in a horse used for raiding and war.


Indie work:

An essay comparing the Arabian Horse and the dromedary, or Arabian camel.

Lawrence of Arabia quiz: From Oxfordshire to Mecca

lawrence_of_arabia, a photo by studiokiekje on Flickr.

From Oxfordshire to Mecca / Lawrence of Arabia quiz
1. On his journey from London to Cairo, Lawrence's ship went through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. His boat also had to traverse the a) English Channel
b) Suez Canal c) Red Sea d) Persian Gulf.
2. In Cairo the viewer sees Lt. Lawrence at his British Army work: a) demolitions
b) dossier c) cartography d) translating Arabic.
3. Lt. L. is sent to Saudi Arabia to observe the progress of the __ . a) Turks
b) Bedouins c) Persians d) camels.
4. The "Med" is not spelled a) Mediterranean
b) Mediterranean c) Mediterranean d) Mediterannean.
5. If your ship travels south from Cairo on the Red Sea your destination might be a) Greece b) Palestine c) Ethiopia d) Lebanon.
6. Body of water on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula: a) Persian Gulf b) Indian Ocean c) Red Sea d) Nile R..
7. The capture of Damascus is the ultimate goal of the Bedouin forces.
Damascus is the capital of __. a) Syria b) Lebanon c) Iraq.
8. The south coast of the Arabian peninsula is part of a trade route connecting
a) India and East Africa b) Egypt and Europe c) Persia and China d) East Africa and West Africa.
9. Egypt's bordering nation on the northeast is a) Yemen b) Oman c) Israel
d) Lebanon.
10. Lawrence became expert at the __ camel. a) Bactrian b) Dromedary c) Persian d) Qu'ranic.
11. Lawrence leads Bedouin forces against the Turks from 1915 to 1918, says Wikipedia. This implies a) love of war b) consistent leadership
c) ethnocentrism d) enormous egotism.
12. Col. Brighton asserts that "Britain is a small country. What makes it great is __ . " a) discipline b) navy c) technology d) bravery.

Brief quiz each class during "Lawrence of Arabia"& the Middle East study

TE Lawrence and the Middle East, aka SW ASia, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

PLease be prepared for a brief open notes quiz in each class during the viewing of "Lawrence of Arabia." The questions on the movie which are posted on the blog will be the guide.

Continent of Africa -
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Red Sea
- Mediterranean

The Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Yemen
and other nations
- Persian Gulf
- Arabian Sea

- Indian Ocean

One third of the world's oil supply comes from nations around the Persian Gulf, says National Geographic.

- Arabian dromedary, "ship of the desert"
- Mongolian 2-humped Bactrian camel, provider of fiber for Camel-hair fabrics.

WW I -
1914 - 1918
France and England Vs Germany and Austria-Hungary.

The Turks were allies of the Germans.
The Arabs were allies of the British.

TE Lawrence (1888 - 1935, a mere 46 years) was a soldier, author and diplomat.
The movie "Lawrence of Arabia" is an award-winning version of his life in WWI.

Movie summary: As a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Quotes -
L: "I'm different."
L : Bedouins are a greedy, barbarous and cruel people." After Sherif Ali murders a tribesman at a forbidden desert well.
Col. Brighton: "Britain is a small nation; what makes it great is discipline."

Saudi Arabia and the story of Lawrence of Arabia

Saudi Arabia Map, a photo by jsobel on Flickr.

Southwest Asia map quiz

Your choices: a) Saudi Arabia b) Israel c) Egypt d) Jordan e) Syria f) Yemen
g) Iraq h) Lebanon i) Palestine j) Red Sea k) Nile River l) Persian Gulf
m) Arabian Sea n) Indian Ocean o) Atlantic p) Arabian Peninsula q) Cairo
r) Aqaba s) Damascus t) Britain u) France v) the "Med"

1. On his voyage from England to the Mid East, Lawrence had to pass
through 2 bodies of water: the __ and the __ .
2. Lawrence's first post with the British Army was the prominent city of __.
3. In 1914 the British Army sent Lawrence to aid the Bedouin forces
located here: __ .
4. The Med is spelled a) Meditteranean b) Mediterranen c) Meditterranean
d) Mediterranean e) Mediterrenean.
5. Red Sea port held by the Turks during the early part of WWI: __.
6. Between Cairo and Mecca one crosses this body of water: __.
7. Body of water on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula: __.
8. Nation that lies directly north of Israel on the coast: __.
9. The capture of Damascus is the ultimate goal of the Bedouin forces.
Damascus is the capital of __.
10. On the south coast of the Arabian peninsula is a sea, __, and an ocean, __.
11. Israel's bordering nation on the southwest is __.
12. Mecca is a city in the nation of __.

1. Atlantic, Mediterranean
2. Cairo
3. Arabian Peninsula or Arabia
4. d
5. Aqaba
6. Red Sea
7. Persian Gulf
8. Lebanon
9. Syria
10. Arabian Sea, Indian O
11. Egypt
12. Saudi Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia and a study of the Mid East

Magnet geography / Mid East , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Lawrence of Arabia:" 85 questions that help illuminate the movie.

The award-winning movie Lawrence of Arabia is based on Lawrence's chronicle of war and politics, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

1) British movie director David Lean won 7 Oscars for the movie, which runs over 200 minutes, or a good 2 hours. T / F
2) The movie opens in England, 1935. Motorcycles (Triumph, BSA, etc) were a symbol of British success in the Industrial Revolution. Enjoy the brief but loving camera attention given to Lawrence's British v-twin cycle, the Brough Superior. It was called "the Rolls Royce of motorcycles." In what nation is the Rolls Royce manufactured? a) France b) Germany c) England.
3) The Lawrence funeral service is in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, a burial place reserved for national heroes. Remarks heard in the crowd indicate that L. was a complex fellow and not a perfect hero. T / F
4) Cairo, Cartography department, British Army, about 1914: in several ways L. stands out from the soldiers with which he is serving. a) articulacy b) ribaldry c) bestiality.
What is cartography? the making of a) menus b) posters c) maps.
5) What are the dates of WWI? Name the nations aligned with the British. Name the countries working with the Germans.
1914 - 1918; US enters war in 1917. Brits and French vs. Germans and Austria-Hungary.
6) Your dossier: a) portfolio b) genealogy c) association memberships.
7) What language has L. studied in addition to his mother tongue and French? a) Arabic b) German c) Chinese.
8) In Arabia there is a conflict between the nomadic, tribal Bedouin peoples and the Turks, rulers of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - which includes Arabia. Who’s on the German side? a) Bedouins b) Turks.
9) “The Officer’s Mess” is a term for
a) a carelessly kept meeting room or
b) the lounge area for the commissioned soldiers.
10) Arabian tribes are led by the wise, if weary,
a) Prince Feisal of Mecca b) Lloyd George c) Woodrow Wilson.
11) What is the attitude of L’s desert guide toward the British officer’s pistol carried by L.? a) curiosity b) extreme desire c) unconcern.
How does L. use the pistol in making his way amongst the Bedouins?
a) let's make a deal b) bribery c) bridge-building.
12) The Arabic word for canyon, usually a dry, rocky area between mesas, is “wadi.”
The wadi is where Arabs have typically made their settlements. T / F
What do the existence of these stone canyons say about the ancient geography of this region? a) centuries of wind erosion b) ancient waterways c) glaciation.
13) The Harish versus the Hazimi: murderous tribal warfare is a historic part of life in the vast desert. T / F
14) What kind of vessel is used to bring up water from the deep well in the desert? a) Goat skin b) wooden bucket c) woven-palm sort of basket-bucket.
15) Translate "Peace (be with you)” into Arabic: a) shalom b) salaam
c) shazam.
16) L. sings a WWI era ditty called “The Man who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo.” Where is Monte Carlo? a) Mediterranean b) Persian Gulf c) North Sea. In gambling, what does it mean to “break the bank”?

17) A Britishism for being posted to a unit is “seconded.” T / F
18) What is meant by the term biplane? a) engine "blips" b) two wings
c) plane can be flown either right-side-up or upside-down.
19) Where did the Turks get airplanes in 1916? Not “at the store.” a) Germans b) French c) British.
20) What sound can Arabs seem not to be able to pronounce consistently? a) L
b) Y c) Ch.
21) In the caravan some camels are surmounted by small, square tent enclosures. Who is in such a tent? a) wives of the emir b) children of the royal family c) pet monkeys.

22) “Recite, then, as much of the __ as may be easy for you ... and seek ye the forgiveness of God. Verily, God is forgiving, merciful ...” These are the opening words of the a) Qu’ran b) Bible c) Baghavad Gita .
The scene in Feisel’s tent is unusually respectful of Muslims. Why do I say “unusually”? a) Western lack of respect for Muslims b) low Muslim self-concept c) camels ate all the dates.
23) Lawrence quotes the Qu'ran. How would he know such material?
a) movie producer explained it to him b) his momma c) his Oxford education.
24) In 1915 the top British priority in the Mid East was protection of a waterway important to their shipping and movement of warships. What is the name of this key passage, which connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean? a) Arabian Sea b) Panama Canal c) Suez Canal.
25) In explaining to Feisel the reason for Britain’s worldwide power, the British officer puts an emphasis on England's __ . a) technology b) discipline c) skill d) wealth.
26) In the early 1900’s the city at the center of Islamic art, business and scholarship was not Mecca, nor Cairo. It was the capital of Syria:
a) Medina b) Damascus c) Jerusalem .
27) According to Feisel, do Arabs love the desert? No. Then what do they love? a) fountains and gardens b) mountains c) ships and oysters.
28) Feisel refers to the Islamic golden age. About what centuries did the peak of their achievements occur? a) 750 to 1050 b) 1400 - 1500 c) 1800 - 1900.
29) At the desert’s edge Lawrence spends a night concentrating on the Arab dilemma in their feckless fight against the Turks. He has a breakthrough. What is his solution? a) attack from the sea
b) attack at night c) attack from the desert.
30) A cruel and terrible desert must be crossed by the Bedouin.
The desert is the a. Sahara b. Rub al Kali c. Arezy an Nefud.
31) “The Howeitat are brigands.” Write a synonym for brigand.
a) gourmets b) swift of movement c) bandits.
32) What 3 nations has Lawrence visited thus far in the movie? a) England, Egypt, Syria b) England, France, Egypt c) England, Egypt, Saudi Arabia.
33) Can a man claiming to perform a miracle be judged guilty of blasphemy? By definition, miracles are created by __. a) God b) Moses c) Abraham.
34) The boys who become Lawrence’s servants are unsuitable, he is told, because they are “outcast and parentless.” What would we call them? a) bastards b) idiots c) dispossessed.
35) What is a shilling? a) currency b) to sell something via lies and trickery c) a pint of ale.
36) “Allah favors the compassionate.” Offer a synonym for compassionate. a) healthy b) benevolent c) all-knowing.
37) During the desert crossing, Lawrence makes a point of using the precious water for shaving. Why does he insist on shaving?
a) code of the British officer b) OCD c) his beard is patchy and unappealing.
38) Which character has 2 African bodyguards? a) Lawrence
b) Sherif Ali c) General Dryden.
39) "In sh’Allah" is a frequent interjection and means: a) "If God is willing" b) "God be with you" c) "I believe in God" d) "God is merciful."
40) Gasim the Bedouin falls off his camel and is lost in the desert during the night. a) Lawrence stubbornly insists on going back to try to find him b) Lawrence accepts that being lost is Gasim's fate
c) Lawrence is unable to decide on the best course of action and talks about what might be done for days and days.


41) In the desert the Bedouins find a place surrounded by trees where their camels can drink. It is called an __ . a) aquifer b) fountain
c) oasis.
What kind of trees are those? a) cocoanut palms b) date palms c) oasis palms .
42) An argument about the role of fate is waged between Lawrence and the Arabs.
The Englishman’s key phrase is “Nothing is __.” a) written b) known
c) seen before dawn.
43) Lawrence’s father, he explains, is Sir Thomas Chapman.
Yet his father and mother are a) not married b) not suited c) illiterate.
44) Lawrence is awarded the robes of a tribesman for his valorous service. Somehow, he finds the indigenous garments a) uncomfortable
b) appealing c) murderous.
45) After some tricky negotiations, Auda Abu Talib of the Howeitat says “Dine with me in __ Ruum!” a) Wadi b) Musa c) Caribbean.

46) The camel driver’s stick is often used for another purpose.
a) mini tent pole b) back scratcher c) cleaning boots.
47) Auda Abu Talib says, “’The Arabs,’ What tribe is that?” What does he imply? a) there is no unity among the Arab tribes b) he is hard of hearing c) there is not enough money on the table.
48) What is a British guinea? a) small pig b) hen c) currency.
49) What city will be attacked by the combined tribes in a surprise raid?
a) Cairo b) Medina c) Aqaba.
It lies on what body of water? a) Gulf of Aqaba b) Gulf of Suez
c) Gulf of Aden.

50) When the troops leave the wadi, the women watching them emit a high-pitched scream as encouragement. What is that called? a. ovulation b. ululation c. trepidation d. insubordination.
51) “The law says the man must die.” This is based on a code associated with a historic leader of Mesopotamia. a) Cyrus b) Hammurabi c) Darius.
52) In the tribal dispute - which almost begins a blood feud - who is the condemned murderer? Who is the executioner? What irony is there?
53) The Turks at Aqaba outnumber and outgun the Arabs but the Bedouin raiders are successful. What is their great advantage?
54) Lawrence declares he will cross the badlands of the Sinai Peninsula. Where is he going?
55) The servant boy Daud dies in the desert in a most unexpected way. What is it?
56) When a camel lies down, which set of legs folds first?
57) The spooky, abandoned buildings encountered on the edge of the Sinai actually lie beside the __ __ .
58) “Bringing a ‘wog’ into the Officer’s Mess” is offensive to many soldiers. Explain.
59) “Undisciplined, unpunctual, untidy; knowledge of languages, music, literature, etc.” Who is being described?
60) In WWI the British attacked the Turkish-held Mid East and drove the Turks from the holy city of __.
61) “You acted without orders.”
“Shouldn’t an officer use their initiative at all times?” Explain.
62) Lawrence leads Bedouin riders in swift attacks on the Turks that depend on surprise for success. Today that’s called __ warfare (French word).
63) The Bedouins are wary of being partners with the British. They believe that the British are thinking, “Let the Arabs drive out the Turks, then we’ll take over.”
T / F
64) Intermission is another opportunity for the director to air his score over a dark screen. What does this imply?
65) The American reporter called Bentley in the movie is another true element in the Lawrence story. The journalist’s real name is Lowell Thomas. What happens as a result of Bentley’s stories and photos?
66) Lawrence uses his expertise in explosives against the Turkish __.
67) What is the Geneva Convention? a) guidelines for humane treatment of prisoners during war. b) a secret system used by the people of Switzerland.
68) What happens to the Bedouin army after the looting of Turkish trains?
69) Why does Lawrence shoot and kill his servant and friend Farraj?
70) Lawrence allows himself to be captured by the Turks in Deraa. Why?

71) Is there such a thing as a fair-haired, blue-eyed person of Middle Eastern blood?
Is a Circassian the same as a Caucasian?
72) Write a brief description of the location of the Caucasian Mountains.
73) On the eve of the battle for Jerusalem Lawrence has a breakdown. What action does he take?
74) The Sykes-Picot Treaty is an agreement at the end of WWI that proclaims that 2 nations will divide the control of the Middle East. Which European nations took over the defeated Turkish Empire?
75) Is Lawrence guilty of having told the Bedouins “half lies” about their future and control of their ancient lands? Was he guilty of naiveté?
76) What happened to Lawrence while being held by the Turks in Deraa?
77) On the eve of the attack on the Turks in Damascus, people notice that Lawrence is a changed man. Describe his attitude.
78) Lawrence’s personal troops are hired soldiers. The word for commercial soldiers is __.
79) General Allenby is chauffeured in what brand of British auto?
80) Who wins the race to conquer the Turks in Damascus? a) the Arabs b) the British.
81) The tribal people form a government in Damascus. It is called the __ National Council.
82) The Arab armies prove incapable of governing Damascus. What governance factors flummox the Arabs?
83) The Arab tribal leaders leave Damascus and return to their homes in __.
84) What factor in British life is repulsive to Lawrence in his return to Britain?
85) Lawrence did not want to be famous as a successful soldier. His desire was to be recognized as a significant writer. Did he reach his goal?
86) At what age does Lawrence die?