Saddam Hussein: Life and Execution of the Iraqi Dictator

Biography of Saddam Hussein

This former Iraqi president was once called “the most dangerous man in the world.” Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be learning more about the life of Saddam Hussein.

Early Life

Saddam Hussein was born April 28th, 1937 near Tikrit, Iraq to a family of peasants. At the age of 20, he left school to join the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party that promoted secularism, socialism and the unification of all Arab countries.

Ba’ath Party

In 1959, Saddam participated in an assassination attempt on the Iraqi Prime Minister, after which he fled the country. He only returned to Iraq when the Ba’athists seized control in 1963. However, he was arrested the next year after they were ousted from power. Three years later, he escaped prison and became a leading member of the Ba’ath Party.

An Important Role Behind the Scenes

In 1968, Saddam was involved in another coup to overthrow the Iraqi government that resulted in the Ba’ath Party coming to power again. Saddam served an important role: he attempted to unite the party and gain widespread support, while also tackling issues like the country’s stability.

Improved Social Programs

In 1972, he brought Iraq’s oil under government control. The added profits from this initiative allowed him to implement unparalleled social programs that included free education and health care.

Propaganda and Murder

Saddam became increasingly important within the government, until he officially seized power in 1979. Aside from assuming the presidency, he also took over as head of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council. One of his main goals as president was to position Iraq as the head of the Arab world. He used propaganda to increase his popularity, and quashed dissidence by executing those who did not support him.

Invasion of Iran

In 1980, Saddam and his government invaded Iran. His main motivators were oil, power in the Arab world, and preventing the spread of radical Shiite ideas. The United States, Europe and other Arab countries supported Iraq, but despite this, the high cost of war forced Saddam to trim his impressive social programs. After years of bloody fighting, the Iran-Iraq war deadlocked and ended in 1988.

Invasion of Kuwait

Despite Iraq’s huge foreign debt, Saddam continued developing his military. In 1990, Saddam and Iraqi forces invaded nearby Kuwait. The ensuing international response included trade restrictions against Iraq, U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia and a United Nations deadline for Iraq’s withdrawal.

The Gulf War

Saddam ignored this and on January 16th, 1991, the Gulf War began. It ended six weeks later when allied forces pushed Iraq’s military out of Kuwait.

Saddam vs. the USA

The postwar period was full of rebellion, unrest and uprisings. Saddam’s government was threatened, and the United States supported a revolt against him. However, his staying power through the war earned him more supporters, and public opinion shifted to an anti-American stance.

Deteriorating Relations between Iraq and the U.S.

Relations between Iraq and the U.S. further deteriorated over the next years. Oil exports were blocked by UN sanctions, and this irrevocably damaged the country’s economy. Saddam was repeatedly charged with breaching the conditions of the Gulf War ceasefire agreement by building weapons of mass destruction.

Operation Desert Fox

Both the U.S. and Great Britain supported Saddam’s removal as president, and launched Operation Desert Fox in 1998 with that goal. This fueled Saddam’s anti-American message, and led many in the Arab world to believe he was the only leader capable of resisting Western hostility.

After 9/11

After 9/11, the Americans worried Iraq would aid terrorism against their country and tried once again to disarm them. When Saddam did not fully cooperate, both the U.S. and Great Britain announced their peacekeeping efforts were over.

The Iraq War

In 2003, President George W. Bush issued an ultimatum: Saddam was to resign and leave his country, or be faced with war. When he didn’t comply, U.S. and allied forces invaded Iraq on March 20th, 2003.

Capture of Saddam

After U.S. soldiers took the city of Baghdad on April 9th, Saddam went into hiding. He was finally found by U.S. soldiers in his underground hideout on December 13th.

Trial and Execution

After an incarceration and trial, Saddam was convicted of crimes against humanity on November 5th, 2006. On December 30th that same year, he was executed by hanging at an army base in Baghdad.

Legacy

Saddam Hussein’s legacy is divided: while some remember him as a firm and fair leader, others maintain he was one of the most dangerous dictators of the twentieth century.