Hildenbrand 1

Abby Hildenbrand
Rapert 7
15 April 2013
Research Essay

Saddam Hussein was one of the most ruthless and twisted rulers of Iraq. He is mostly
known for how he terribly tortured his enemies, but there was much more to his reign. For
instance, how he treated the citizens in his society. Saddam Hussein is now known all around
the world for his terrible acts on his people.
Saddam Hussein was born April 28, 1937, in a small town called al-Auja. Al-Auja is
located just out of Tikrit, Iraq. Before Saddam was born, his father disappeared. Some say he
abandoned his family, others say he was killed. Saddam eventually moved in with his uncle in
1947. When Saddam was 19 years old, he joined the Baath party. Just three years later, he
attempted to assassinate Iraqi prime minister general Abdel-Karim Qassem (Moore). During the
attempt, Saddam was shot (Moore). He fled the country for several years, traveling to Syria and
Egypt (Moore). In 1963, Saddam returned to Baghdad. The Baath party lost power later that
year. Saddam tried to go into hiding, but he was later found and jailed (Moore). In 1966,
Saddam Hussein escaped imprisonment, and brought the Baath party back to power in 1968
(Moore). He soon became the vice chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council in 1969. In
the next few years, Saddam became vice president and deputy secretary of the Baath party.
On July 16, 1979, president Al-Bakr resigned and Saddam rose to presidency (Moore).
Saddam Hussein was the fifth president of Iraq. Most of his citizens didnt like him, but
they ate up and believed every word he said (Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign,
Propaganda Control). The Iraqi government controlled what its people could see on television,
radio, and magazines, giving them little or no exposure to the outside world (Iraqs
Psychological Warfare Campaign, Propaganda Control). Saddam told his people lies, which
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they easily believed (Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign, Propaganda Control). Foreign
infidels cleared rumors, but with the limited things Iraqis heard on television and from Saddam,
the true words were overseen and not believed (Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign,
Propaganda Control). He also used fear and terror to hold his power.
Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi government controlled what their citizens could see and
hear. Magazines and newspapers didnt show the whole truth to a story, or would tell Iraqis the
things they wanted to hear (Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign, Propaganda Control).
Saddam believed this was the best and most easy way to control his people, keeping them
more against other countries than himself (Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign, Propaganda
Control).
For most Iraqis, their everyday lives were lived in fear. Saddam had killed, tortured,
raped, and terrorized his own citizens for over two decades. Under Saddams regime, he killed
many hundreds of thousands of people. One of the worst parts was that most of them were
Muslim (Life Under Saddam Hussein, Propaganda Control). Saddam Hussein even murdered
over 40 of his own relatives (Life Under Saddam Hussein, Propaganda Control). Victims of
torture were subjected to many different types, including the gouging out of eyes, severe
beating, and electric shocks (Life Under Saddam Hussein, Propaganda Control). Some victims
even died as a result, and some have been left with permanent physical and psychological
damage.
In 1990, Saddam ordered Iraqi troops to take the country of Kuwait. In response, the
United States defended Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War. On March 19, 2003, the United States
attacked Iraq. In between it all, Saddam fled Baghdad On December 13, 2003, U.S forces
discovered Saddam hiding in a hole in al-Dwar, near Tikrit. After a short trial, it was decided
Saddam would be sentenced to death for his crimes. On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein
was executed by hanging. The U.S. went into war with Iraq in 2003, showing that their
relationship with Iraq wasnt and still isnt good. Relationships with other countries are ok, but
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not completely great either because Iraq is mostly secluded and on its own (Iraqs Psychological
Warfare Campaign, Propaganda Control).
Saddam Hussein not only tortured his own citizens, but ruled Iraq for 24 long years. He
is now well known around the world for his unacceptable actions. Even though Saddam Hussein
is now long dead, he will still be remembered as one of the most awful and evil Iraqi presidents.




















Works Cited
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Jessica Moore. Saddam Husseins Rise to Power. The Iraq War. N.D. <www.pbs.org>
Jennifer Rosenberg. Saddam Hussein. 20th Century History. 2013.
<www.history.1900s.about.com>
Propaganda Control. Iraqs Psychological Warfare Campaign. N.D. <www.psywarrior.com>
Life Under Saddam Hussein. Life Under Saddam Hussein. April 4, 2003. <www.georgewbush-
whitehouse.archives.gov>