Teaching Activities

Try the following with your students:

1. Ask students to research the origins of the Arab–Israeli wars (see sample question 2) and instruct them to present their findings in the form of a table as follows:

Origins	1948–49	1967	1973
Long-term
Short-term
Trigger

This should be followed up with a discussion about the most important/least important factors that led to each war.

2. Using the table constructed in question 1 above, ask students to identify patterns of similarity and differences between the causes of each war. This can then be followed up with a discussion about why there were three Arab–Israeli wars and why, more generally, history seems to repeat itself. This could lead to a wider debate about the use of history and the question of whether we can learn from ‘mistakes’ made in the past.

3. Teach students about the importance of contingency factors in determining the causes, course and consequences of events such as wars. Ask students to research any of the conflicts mentioned in the Chronology and to state how far they believe contingency factors to be influential in shaping the causes, course and consequence of the conflict chosen.

4. Ask students to use the Chronology and their own knowledge to identify patterns of change and continuity in Middle Eastern affairs over the whole period. Their observations can be recorded in a table and should be followed up with discussion about why it has been so difficult for peace and stability to be maintained in the Middle East.