10,000 Facts About Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein was the fifth president of Iraq, serving from 1979 until 2003. He was a controversial figure, and his presidency was marked by both successes and failures.

Early Life and Career

Saddam Hussein was born in Al-Awja, Iraq, on April 28, 1937. He was the son of a poor peasant farmer and grew up in a small village. Hussein's father died when he was three years old, and his mother remarried shortly thereafter. Hussein's stepfather was a strict disciplinarian, and Hussein often clashed with him.

Hussein left home at the age of 14 to attend high school in Baghdad. He was a bright student and excelled in his studies. Hussein joined the Ba'ath Party, a pan-Arab nationalist organization, while he was in high school.

After graduating from high school, Hussein enrolled in the University of Baghdad to study law. He was a member of the Ba'ath Party's student organization and participated in several anti-government demonstrations. Hussein was arrested several times for his political activities, but he was always released after a short time.

In 1959, Hussein graduated from the University of Baghdad and began working as a lawyer. He continued to be active in the Ba'ath Party and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1969, Hussein was appointed Vice President of Iraq.

Presidency

In 1979, Hussein became President of Iraq after the assassination of President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. Hussein's presidency was marked by both successes and failures.

Achievements

• Hussein's government implemented a number of policies that benefited the Iraqi people, including:
  • Free education and healthcare
  • A modern infrastructure
  • A strong military
• Hussein also led Iraq to victory in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).

Failures

• Hussein's government was also responsible for a number of human rights abuses, including:
  • The torture and execution of political dissidents
  • The use of chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians
  • The invasion of Kuwait in 1990
• Hussein's policies also led to the isolation of Iraq from the international community.

Overthrow and Execution

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq and overthrew Hussein's government. Hussein was captured in December 2003 and tried by an Iraqi court. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006.

Legacy

Saddam Hussein is a controversial figure, and his legacy is still being debated. Some people believe that he was a brutal dictator who deserved to be executed. Others believe that he was a strong leader who made Iraq a powerful country. Ultimately, Hussein's legacy will be decided by the Iraqi people.

Tables

Table 1: Saddam Hussein's Key Policies

Table 2: Saddam Hussein's Human Rights Abuses

Table 3: Saddam Hussein's Achievements

Table 4: Saddam Hussein's Failures