Jordan

= NO COUNTRY TO ONE COUNTRY: = JORDAN (1945-1990): 
 * ==What were the significant political changes? ==
 * As a result of their support of the Allies during World War II, the independent Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan was declared on May 25, 1946, following a treaty with Great Britain. In April 1949, the country's name was changed to Jordan. Following its creation, Jordan did not recognize the state of Israel and in 1948 sent forces into the new nation. In the early 1950's, Jordan finally annexed the West Bank in Israel. Following the assassination of the unpopular King Abdullah, in 1953[| King Hussein] was crowned. He faced many border clashes with Israel over water rights to the Jordan River. At this same time citizens protesting Jordan’s relations with the pro- Israeli West, staged riots throughout the country of Jordan. Through 1958 to the early 1960's Jordan remained on poor terms with Iraq and the United Arab Republic. King Hussein declared a state of emergency as a result of a possible revolt by counter government forces outside the country. Both the United States and Great Britain provided military and financial assistance to help support the king's order. Over time, Jordan's relationship with Syria grew worse and border disputes with Israel grew hostile. In the late 1960's, Jordan's government supported such Palestinian guerrilla movements such as Fatah, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. These groups fought a terrorist war against Israel using Jordan as a base. In the early 1970's the Jordanians saw the assassination of the prime minister and attempts on the life of King Hussein. It was said that, "Hussein gained greater popularity with his people, in spite of his autocratic tendencies, by guiding the nation to greater prosperity. Low unemployment rates and high literacy boosted his prestige as well" (Hamilton). In the [|Yom Kippur War] in 1973, Jordan sent troops to fight alongside Syria as a sign of solidarity. Jordan did not agree with the [|Camp David Accords] between Egypt and Israel because the treaty did not require Israel to give back Arab lands seized in the 1967 War. It was stated that, "King Hussein refused to take part and declare he was "absolutely shattered" (Smith 49). In 1984, Jordan and Egypt made amends, but Jordan's arming of Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War damaged relations with the pro-Iranian government of Syria. In 1988, Jordan abandoned its claim to the West Bank in acknowledgment of Palestinian sovereignty there. A series of riots broke out that year after King Hussein dissolved the lower house of the National Assembly. The riots forced the prime minister from office in 1989, which led the United States to offer unprecedented economic aid to Jordan the following year.




 * == What economic developments either strengthen or weaken the nation? ==
 * In the 1960's, Jordan's economy grew with the expansion of foreign trade. Jordan was the first to welcome [|Palestinian refugees]. Since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, Palestinians fled to Jordan in large numbers. These people, "have arrived in several waves since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, forming a very large and integral part of the kingdom's population" (Chatelard). This migration weakened and strengthened Jordan as it allowed the nation to receive development assistance from the international community to help settle and come together with refugees. Jordan's economic development is based on the migration of people. On one hand it was said that the Palestinian refugees flooded the Jordan workforce, but on another scale, refugees and Jordanians left the nation answering the demand of oil producing Gulf states’ need for foreign workers. This has led to economic growth and decline over the decades. Money in the form of foreign aid has contributed to Jordan’s economy by providing funds for Jordanian business and large state sponsored projects.




 * == What were the main cultural events/ influences on the nation? ==
 * In the postwar era, Jordanians’ social life mainly focused around family. Social status was based on gender and age. In every single social class women were secluded to some extent. During this time period, one’s age influenced their social standing in society; the older one was the more respect an individual carried. Religious practices varied throughout Jordan's population. Some Jordanians beliefs and practices were sometimes opposed to the teachings of Israel. Jordanian Muslims generally believed that in matters that they could control, God expected them to work diligently. These religious differences often led to tensions and conflicts.
 * == What was the quality of life for the Jordan people during this time period? ==
 * In the three decades following Jordan’s independence, the health and overall quality of life improved. There was a large increase in population; the population doubled between 1950-1970. [|Relations] between men and women slowly began to change as people adopted values, attitudes and customs much different from those traditional in the country. In the post 1970 years, many young people preferred to set up their own household at marriage rather than live with their parents. Also, labor migration had a huge impact on family structure and relations. By the 1980's observers noticed that couples tended to have and want fewer children. It was noticed that, "Large families were no longer as economically feasible or desirable as in the past" ("Changing Social Relations and Values"). Large families were no longer as economically feasible or desirable as in the past. Jordanians continued to rely upon the extended family, even if many of its members resided in nuclear units. Lastly, social segregation of the sexes prevent women from participating in much of the formal religious life of the community. The 1980's changed this dramatically. Younger women and female university students were seen more in mosques and could be said to have carved a place for themselves in the public domain. Other women during the 1980's resorted to unorthodox practices and beliefs. In urban areas, young women began to demand greater freedom and equality than in the past, although traditional practice still ran their lives. In the 1980's female school enrollment was nearly paralleled to that of boys, and female graduates entered the workforce in increasing numbers.

> Written By: Emma Nayden
 * ==How has globalization influenced Jordan’s development in the postwar era? ==
 * The West had a huge impact on Jordan’s development in the postwar era. Jordan had the opportunity to receive military and financial aid from the United States. In the 1970’s and 1980’s Western influence gave more women in Jordan access to birth control methods which led them to have smaller families. By the late 1980’s girls gained greater access to education, women had more job opportunities and overall earned more respect. Lastly, [|globalization] has really opened up Jordan to other nations’ ideas, but economic connections which during the postwar era led to a better quality of life. As a result of Jordan’s openness to ideas coming from developed nations around the world, their technological and scientific communities grew which fostered new ideas and advancements.
 * Works Cited:[[file:Works CIted-- WIkipage.docx]]

May, 14 2014