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

Saddam Hussein came to power in Iraq through a combination of political maneuvering, violence, and a rise within the Ba'ath Party. He joined the Ba'ath Party in the 1950s and quickly rose through the ranks due to his loyalty to the party and his willingness to use brutal tactics to suppress opposition. After a series of coups and power struggles within the party, Hussein eventually became the vice president of Iraq in 1968 and took over as president in 1979 after the resignation of his predecessor.