What was Iraq like prior to Saddam Hussein's rise to power?

Before Saddam Hussein came to power in Iraq, the country was previously ruled by a monarchy. The Hashemite monarchy, established in 1921, was overthrown in a military coup in 1958 which led to the establishment of a republican government. In the years leading up to Saddam Hussein's rise to power in 1979, Iraq faced political instability, economic challenges, and conflicts with neighboring countries such as Iran.