Online Class: The Gulf War

In 1990-1991, the United States of America, under President George H. W. Bush, along with several allied nations launched a massive military operation in the tiny nation of Kuwait at the northern boundary of the Persian Gulf. This was the first war following Viet Nam in which America was actively involved in a combat role.

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  • 18
    Lessons
  • 52
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 276
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 16
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.6
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

In 1990-1991, the United States of America, under President George H. W. Bush, along with several allied nations launched a massive military operation in the tiny nation of Kuwait at the northern boundary of the Persian Gulf. This was the first war following Viet Nam in which America was actively involved in a combat role. Indeed, the United States played a key part in organizing, funding, building, executing, and maintaining the war. It was a historic confrontation in that it was the most widely-seen war in history, covered heavily on television, radio, internet, and other media outlets across the globe.

 

Beginning with Operation Desert Shield, which yielded to the much larger Operation: Desert Storm, this conflict became known as the First Gulf War. This course will examine the history and setting of the Gulf War, the motivations for fighting it, the strategies and tactics that were used, and the battles that were fought. In addition, an examination of how the Gulf War changed the nature of war, the reaction to the conflict at home, and dealing with the aftermath will be undertaken to provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of the conflagration.
 

 

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.8 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(557 votes)

Lesson 1: Setting the Stage: A Very Brief History of the Middle East, Part I

55 Points
This lesson provides part one of a brief history of the region, beginning with the geographical location of Kuwait and Iraq. Additional lesson topics: Fall of Ottoman Empire destabilized Middle East; Fall of Ottoman Empire and destabilization of Middle East
  • Lesson 1 Video A
  • Lesson 1 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: WWI and the Middle East
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2: Setting the Stage: A Very Brief History of the Middle East, Part II

29 Points
This lesson examines the various religious sects within Islam and also provides a political background that lead to the Iran-Iraq War and, ultimately, the Persian Gulf War at the end of the 20th century. Additional lesson topics: Shiites v. Sunni
  • Lesson 2 Video A
  • Lesson 2 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: The Nations of Iraq and Kuwait: Their Geography and History

30 Points
This lesson will examine the geographical features and relevant historical details for each country, beginning with Iraq. Additional lesson topics: History of Kuwait
  • Lesson 3 Video A
  • Lesson 3 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Major Players - Who's Who in the Gulf War

48 Points
This lesson introduces briefly some of the major players in the Gulf War and explains their importance relative to the events related to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in the early 1990s. Additional lesson topics: The Gulf War in Brief; Israel and the Gulf War
  • Lesson 4 Video A
  • Lesson 4 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Charles 'Chuck' Horner
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Gulf War & Middle East Glossary, Part I

49 Points
This lesson provides basic definitions for a number of organizations, philosophies, regions, and other terms relevant to our study of the Gulf War.
  • Lesson 5 Video A
  • Lesson 5 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Gulf War and Middle East Glossary, Part II

50 Points
This lesson continues the essential definitions of Middle East and Gulf War terminology begun in the previous lesson.
  • Lesson 6 Video A
  • Lesson 6 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Republican Guard
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Saddam Hussein: The Leader of Iraq

50 Points
Saddam Hussein was and what his motivations were for invading the tiny nation of Kuwait. This lesson examines the role of this nefarious leader up to the beginning of the Gulf War. Additional lesson topics: Saddam Bio on History Channel
  • Lesson 7 Video A
  • Lesson 7 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: The Importance of Kuwait
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: Israel, Oil, Terrorism, and Hostages: The Decade Before the Storm

49 Points
Beginning in the late 1970s and running through the decade of the 1980s, the situation in the Middle East really began to intensify. Additional lesson topics: How the Middle East was divided up after WWI
  • Lesson 8 Video A
  • Lesson 8 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: The Lebanese Civil War
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Saddam's Battle Plan: Rationale and Weaponry

29 Points
This lesson will provide an overview of Saddam's rationale for the war, as well as the types of weapons he would employ from his arsenal.
  • Lesson 9 Video A
  • Lesson 9 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: A New Breed of Soldier, A New Kind of War

50 Points
This lesson takes a look at the new American soldiers, their equipment, and the aspects of the Persian Gulf War that redefined the way modern wars would be fought. Additional lesson topics: Gulf War Syndrome
  • Lesson 10 Video A
  • Lesson 10 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Maneuver Warfare in the Gulf War
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: The Iraqi Invasion

99 Points
This lesson describes the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, as well as America's rationale for getting involved. Additional lesson topics: Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; Flames of Kuwait
  • Lesson 11 Video A
  • Lesson 11 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: America gets involved in the Middle East
  • Complete Assignment: Why did Hussein Invade Kuwait?
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12: The United States Mobilizes

30 Points
This lesson examines the political debate in the United States regarding whether to get involved in the Persian Gulf. Additional lesson topics: Gulf War Coalition
  • Lesson 12 Video A
  • Lesson 12 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: Operation Desert Shield

46 Points
This lesson discusses the various aspects of Operation Desert Shield and how it was gradually changed from a defensive to an offensive measure (i.e., Operation Desert Storm).
  • Lesson 13 Video A
  • Lesson 13 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: People Behind Desert Shield
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Operation Desert Storm, Part I: Setting the Stage

50 Points
This lesson details the naval blockade of Iraq and the opening salvos of what would become Operation Desert Storm--the proactive phase of the Gulf War. Additional lesson topics: Naval Blockade during Gulf War
  • Lesson 14 Video A
  • Lesson 14 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Why was the Gulf War different?
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Operation Desert Storm, Part II: Air War

54 Points
This lesson recounts the major battles and events of Operation Desert Storm. Additional lesson topics: Air War; The Ground War
  • Lesson 15 Video A
  • Lesson 15 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Iraqi Air Defenses?
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Operation Desert Storm, Part III: Ground War

35 Points
It was time to implement phase two of Operation Desert Storm: the ground war. This lesson details the major events and battles of this final phase of the war.
  • Lesson 16 Video A
  • Lesson 16 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Hussein Tries to defend Iraq and break up the Coalition
  • Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: The End of the War, the Media, and the Aftermath

50 Points
This lesson will cover the details of the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War, as well as the unique media coverage that made this war a uniquely modern one.
  • Lesson 17 Video A
  • Lesson 17 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
  • Complete Assignment: Aftermath of the Gulf War
  • Assessment: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18: Appendix: General Timeline of the Gulf War. Works Sited.

92 Points
Appendix & works sited. Additional lesson topics: The Gulf War: A Chronology
  • Lesson 18 Video A
  • Lesson 18 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: What is your opinion of this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete Assignment: Was the Gulf War Worth it?
  • Complete Assignment: Was it Worth It?
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
895
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Summarize the reasons and evidence for going to war.
  • Summarize the history and conflicts of the nations involved.
  • Identify who's who in the gulf war.
  • Describe Saddam Hussein.
  • Describe the history leading up to the war, including the role of Israel, oil, terrorism, and hostages.
  • Describe Saddam's battle plan.
  • Summarize the Iraqi invasion.
  • Operation Desert Shield
  • Summarize Operation Desert Shield.
  • Summarize Operation Desert Storm.
  • Summarize the end of the war, the media, and the aftermath.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

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Course Title: The Gulf War
Course Number: 7550444
Lessons Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars (557 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Available across all 50 U.S. states, this course includes key regions such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also open in major English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and Ireland.
Last Updated: February 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.6 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "This course helped me to have a clearer understanding of the complex situations in the Middle East...the history of terrorism and the Gulf War were my 2 favorite lessons...." -- Evelyne B.