Idaho Social Studies 9-12.US2.40
The Standard
Explain the causes and consequences of the American response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Economic, Political, and Social Reorganization 1974-1992
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why the United States opposed Iraq's takeover of Kuwait. They trace the response from sanctions and troop deployments to the 1991 war, then describe what happened afterward.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain how concerns about Kuwait's sovereignty, oil supplies, and Saudi Arabia's security shaped the coalition response. They can explain that coalition forces freed Kuwait, but Saddam Hussein remained in power.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the United States invaded Kuwait or that the 1991 war removed Saddam Hussein from power. Some confuse this war with the 2003 invasion of Iraq or name oil as the only reason for intervening.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to write three sentences: Why did the United States lead a coalition after Iraq invaded Kuwait? Name one immediate result and one issue left unresolved.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs place paper arrows on a Persian Gulf map to show Iraq's move into Kuwait and coalition troops gathering in Saudi Arabia.
Read an excerpt from UN Resolution 660, then ask: Why did other countries oppose Iraq's move into Kuwait?
Give groups cards labeled invasion, UN sanctions, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Kuwait liberated to sort and explain.
Show a 1990 to 1991 U.S. gasoline price graph and ask how conflict near major oil supplies might affect households.
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