Figure 1.--A young Baghdad boy tries to shake hands with Gen Abd al-Karim Qāsim, probably at the time of the coup d'état, in which he overthrew and executed most of the Hashemite royal family (1958). Qāsim was a nationalist Iraqi Army brigadier who after seizing power ruled the coutry as prime minister for 5 years. He became a target of Nasar for oposing Nasser's brand of Pan-Arabism. He was otherthrown and executed in the Ramadan Revolution (1963).

Nasser's appeal proved to strong for King Faisal who for many Iraquis had a British taint. The officers of the 19th Brigade, organized the 'Free Officers'. Led by Brigadier Abd al-Karīm Qāsim (1914-63) and Colonel Abdul Salam Arif, the Free Officers overthrew the Hashimite monarchy in an outpooring of violence (1958). The King and his family was shot as was Prime Minister Nuri as-Said. Most were killed. Qāsim headed the new Republic of Iraq. Qāsim had attended the Iraqi Military Academy and advanced through the ranks had become a general officer. Many Iraquis were moved by the appel of Nasser and Pan-Arabism. Some supported the Communists and the Societs in the Cold War. There were few advocates of Western liberal democracy or capitalism. Qāsim affected by the political winds of the day disapproved of socially conservative and pro-Western policies of the Hashemite monarchy. Qāsim gradually assumed leadership of the dispeate opposition groups in the Army. The King and Prime Minister approved troop movemnts to supporg the neighboring Hasemite Kigsom of Jordan. Instead, Qāsim and his loyalists move the troops into Bagdad and over threwthe monarchy (July 14, 1958). The King and his family were hot and a repunlic declared. Qāsim became prime minister. The majoe issue at the time was Arab unity. And as Qāsim opposed joining the Egyptian-Syrian United Arab Republic, he incurred Nassar's disfavor. Qāsim proved to be a poor politican. He supresse abn Nassarite Army revolt in Mossul, but this began his loss of support from the Army. He had little popular support except among the Communists, but he soon was forced to suppress Communists in the Army and Police. Qāsim instead of building support continued to narrow it. He noved to suspend all organized political activity (1960). He supressed both right- and left-wing civilian and military elements. His only source of support was the Army and he had lost considerable support there. The Kurds in te north orgnized a revoly (spring 1961). Qāsim had failed to implement autonomy measures. The Kurdish revolt undermined what support Qāsim’s still commanded within the Army. The Army became bogged down in a bloody and inconclusive campaign against the Kurds. This and futher purges fed the formation of resistance groups. Former ally Abdul Salām Ārif organized a coup (February 1963) They overthre the Qāsim regime and executed Qāsim. While not an accomplushed politican, Qāsim did carry out some important reforms.