Chapter 1: History Flashcards

1
Q

The act of what created new bonds between the tribes?

A

Migrating and establishing a new community

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2
Q

*When did Kuwait gain its independence?

A

June 19,1961

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3
Q

Which tribe built the town of Kuwait?

A

Bani Khaled

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4
Q

What does Kuwait or grain mean?

A

Small castle / Fort

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5
Q

Which century did the Utub family arrive in Kuwait and where did they come from?

A

18th century, Central Arabia

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6
Q

Did all of the Utub settle in Kuwait?

A

No, some settled in Qatar and Bahrain

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7
Q

What does Utub mean?

A

Travel form place 2 place

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8
Q

Were the Utubs always considered a tribe?

A

No, they were loosely bound interrelated families, they had the identity of one tribe when they arrived in Kuwait

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9
Q

How did Kuwait originally begin earning a living?

A

Pearl diving, boat building, and trade

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10
Q

Which 2 areas were close trade partners of Kuwait in 18th century?

A

India & Africa

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11
Q

Kuwait was an important stop on trade routes of (which countries) going to (which area)

A

India
Persia
Arabia
Going to Europe

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12
Q

What benefit did Bani Khaled give to Kuwait?

A

Allowed Kuwait the space to grow

Offered protection from outside threats

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13
Q

How did Kuwait initially survive and develop a degree of autonomy given that it was a small area, and its location vulnerable to external powers?

A

Careful Diplomacy-(shifted alliance between Ottomans, European traders, and surrounding tribes according to needs)
Manipulation of local power

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14
Q

How did Utub rule Kuwait?

A

By adding political institutions (leadership being most important)

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15
Q

Who was the first Ruler of Kuwait and what was his family’s role?

A

Sheikh Sabah I

Explicit political functions (diplomatic relations and city security)

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16
Q

What were the three families of the Utub and their role?

A

Al Khalifah- sea industries (trading+ pearl)
Jalamah- coastal security
Sabah- diplomatic relations and city security

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17
Q

Who was the second sheikh of Kuwait?

A

Abdullah I

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18
Q

Why did Al Khalifah leave Kuwait?

A

They had a disagreement with Al-Sabah, wanted political power as well
Wanted to become wealthier merchants
(Left to Bahrain eventually)
*it was acceptable at that time for migration to take place

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19
Q

Is it true that the conflict with Al-Khalifah was severed after they left?

A

No, they maintained good relations after they left

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20
Q

Were the early Al-Sabah leaders absolute rulers?

A

No, they consulted with Al-Utub family
Also had good relations with nomadic tribes ( Bedouin)
These relations formed the basis of 20th century alliances

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21
Q

Were the Wahhabis considered allies during Abdullah I rule?

A

No, they posed a serious threat

Only fortified internal defenders and new external alliances saved them

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22
Q

Who was the first Sheikh that established relations with British East Indian Company, in which year, and what prompted the relations?

A

Sheikh Abdullah I in 1775 when Persians occupied Basra
Britain felt threatened by the Persians and routed their trade through Kuwait
Sheikh Abdullah housed the company’s Basra representatives for 2 years
*In return Britain protected Kuwait form Wahhabi attack

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23
Q

Who responded to the Wahhabi expansion and in which year?

A

The Ottomans, encouraged Mohammed Ali to launch an attack on them in 1881

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24
Q

How did Sheikh Abdullah II turn towards the Ottomans, and in which year?

A

By approaching them in a Kuwaiti alliance in exchange for autonomy
Even accepted the title of qaimmaqam )provincial governor) in 1871

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25
Q

Which Sheikh severed Ottoman- Kuwaiti alliance?

A

Sheikh Mobarak

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26
Q

Who is considered the founder of modern Kuwait?

A

Sheikh Mobarak

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27
Q

How did Sheikh Mobarak begin his political career?

A

As the charge of desert security and tribal relations under Sheikh Mohammed rule

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28
Q

How did Sheikh Mobarak overthrow his brother Mohammed?, and in which year?

A

By coupling ambitions with popular, tribal and merchant dissatisfaction with Mohammed
(Had a fear that Mohammed’s pro Ottoman policies risked Kuwait becoming part of Ottoman Empire)
1896

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29
Q

Which entities were concerned with Mubark’s rise to power?

A
The ottomans
Ottoman allies (such as Al-Rashid tribe)
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30
Q

Which powers became Kuwait’s new allies after Mubarak came into power?

A

Al Saud- were given refuge
Ibn Saud spend time in Mubarak’s court

Britain- with a formal alliance

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31
Q

What was the major factors that prompted Britain to develop ties to Kuwait?

A

Safeguarding trade routes to India (Ottomans plans in the area) *Ottoman allowance to Germany for constructional a Berlin- Baghdad railroad with a line to Kuwait!
*MOST IMP FACTOR

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32
Q

What date did Mobarak sign a treaty with Britain?, and what were the terms?

A

January 23, 1899
Britain supported Kuwait against Ottoman opposition in exchange for
Exclusive relationship with Britain
British control of Kuwait’s foreign policy

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33
Q

How did Mubarak send expeditions against Al-Rashid and why?

A

With help of Britain

Because they were enemies of Ibn Saud (Mubarak’s ally)

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34
Q

When was the first political agent sent to Kuwait?

A

1904

By the time Mubarak died in 1915, Kuwait was a strong ally of Britain

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35
Q

In what way did the economy change under Mubarak’s rule?

A

From regional to British dominated world economic orientation
Decreased the autonomy of Kuwait’s merchants, but increased Utub merchants power

36
Q

When did Sheikh Mubarak establish seas & land custom administrations?

A

1899

37
Q

Was Education a government institution under Mubarak rule?

A

No, it was in private hands, mainly oriented for merchants (accounting and other skills)

38
Q

What was the first school In and when was it founded?

A

Mubarikiyya school

1911-1912

39
Q

What was Sheikh Mubarak’s most important political innovation?

A

Centralization of power to the ruler (more Authoritative)

40
Q

Was the first Healthcare system public or privately owned?

A

Private, formed by Doctors from the Arabian Mission of the Dutch Reformed State In America

41
Q

In what way did Mubarak centralize power to the hands of the ruler?

A

Naming himself ruler without consultation with Utub tribe, made decisions alone , alienating leading families

42
Q

Who was the successor to Sheikh Mubarak, and what popular decision did he carry out?

A

Sheikh Jabir 1915-1917

Repealed House and Land Taxes

43
Q

What happened in the Battle of Jahra, when, and under which Sheikh?

A

The Ikhwan forces clashed outside Kuwait in spring of 1920 under Sheikh Salim rule
Sheikh Salim built a wall to guard against attacks
Kuwait reinforcement + tribal support +British forces resulted in a Kuwaiti victory

44
Q

Why was the Battle of Jahra considered important?

A

It established Kuwaiti independence from Saudi Arabia
Reinforced state’s growing identity
Proved Sheikh Salim’s popularity as the tribes backed him up

45
Q

What happened at the Uqair conference, and when?

A

1922
Contract between KSA and Kuwait with Britain as the mediator
Delimited Kuwait’s borders with KSA
Granted KSA a large chunk of Kuwaiti territory
Reduced Kuwait;a area to 1/3 of previous
(Ensured the end of Expansionist ambitions)

46
Q

Which Sheikh introduces a security apparatus, decided Kuwait into sections with a local overseer?

A

Sheikh Salim

47
Q

What were the 2 main important events of Sheikh Ahmed in general?

A

Economic (oil discovery)

Political (Majlis movement)

48
Q

Why did Kuwait face an economic recession under Sheikh Ahmed’s rule?

A

Because of a Saudi embargo against Kuwaiti goods from 1923-1937 because of
low taxes in Kuwait
Refusal of:
Placing Tariffs on goods going from Kuwait to KSA
Placements of a Saudi tax collector in Kuwait!

49
Q

What were other factors other than Saudi embargo that helped bring about Economic recession in Kuwait under Sheikh Ahmad’s rule?

A

Territorial loss

Japan cultured pearls, reducing price of Gulf pearls

50
Q

Why did some merchants turn from Saudi Arabia to Iraq when Sheikh Ahmed was the ruler?

A

Because of the Saudi blockade, high Saudi taxes

51
Q

When was the first geological survey team send to Kuwait to look for Oil (British Oil a company)

A

1913

52
Q

Eastern and General Syndicate got permission from Ibn Saud and Sheikh Ahmed to look for oil where?

A

In the neutral zone

53
Q

What was KOC initially?

A

A joint oil company composed of both BP and Gulf (American company)
Made in 1932 (supposed to have joint venture for 75 years)

54
Q

When did KOC Become fully Kuwaiti owned?

A

1975

55
Q

How was the occasion of paying taxes considered somewhat advantageous for merchants?

A

They would use the event to express their views on political life

56
Q

Why did leading pearl merchants leave Kuwait in 1909?

A

To protest the new imposed taxes by sheikh Mubarak (returned only after retraction of the taxes and a virtual apology!)

57
Q

When was a twelve man council consisting of the leading merchants made?

A

Following Sheikh Salem’s death (1921)

Wanted a say in ruling family after Mubarak’s authoritative ruling

58
Q

How did Oil revenues change political relationships?

A

It threatened to remove taxes on merchants (would no longer have a say on ruling)
1935 was Sheikh Ahmed’s 1st oil payment from KOC

59
Q

How did merchants try to remain in control over political affairs following Oil’s discovery?

A

Merchants argued that oil revenues should be considered state funds and should be funneled through the 12 men body and be used for development of (health, education, and infrastructure)

60
Q

When did the Majlis movement first arise, and what happened?

A

1938
Merchants began to organize politically 1st in the institutions of (Education + Kuwait municipalities)
Later, a say in succession,public policy and the expansion of social services)

61
Q

When did the merchants organize a Legislative Assembly and organize Kuwait’s first political party (National Bloc)?

A

June 1938 under Majlis Movement

62
Q

Which Sheikh did the merchants find allies with in 1938?

A

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim

63
Q

What areas did the Majlis have the right to pass law In 1938, and what specific enactments were made?

A
Security
Finance
Social policy
Foreign policy
Passed laws that 
Opened schools
Introduced reforms in the judicial system
Began new construction projects
64
Q

When was the assembly dissolved?

A

December 1938

65
Q

What were the 2 main reasons the assembly failed?

A

The opposition was unable to expand the merchants base into unifying the movement
Opposition looked to forces outside Kuwait, compromising Kuwait’s security (losing popular support)

66
Q

Why did the merchants approach the British political agent?

A

To offer them some support (it was uncertain)-
They said that the movement’s strength was underestimated
They tried to remove its ties to anti British Iraqi forces

67
Q

Why did Britain side with the Sheikh in Dec 1938?

A

They were concerned that the assembly would become a National institution and could take a look at Oil issues
Realized they had too much power

This turned the merchants into the nationalist force they feared

68
Q

Why did Iraq claim that Kuwait was part of Iraq?

A

Because of the never ratified Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, declared Kuwait as an autonomous region of the Ottoman Empire (Which Iraq was a part of)

69
Q

When did Iraqi foreign minister claim that Kuwait was part of Iraq and offer support for the opposition movement?

A

1938

70
Q

What was the consequence of the opposition movement being dismantled?

A

Sheikh Ahmed had little restraints as to how to spend his revenues

71
Q

When was the first barrel of oil exported?

A

1946

72
Q

Which Sheikh followed Sheikh Ahmed?

A

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim

73
Q

Why is national day celebrated 25 feb?

A

Because that was the day that sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim got ‘crowned’- he had a big role in bringing up Kuwait
Poverty & Dependent-> Rich & Independent

74
Q

What were some social programs Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim implemented?

A

Free healthcare & Education
Welfare benefits
Guaranteed State employment
Government paid Kuwaitis to go abroad for treatment & education

75
Q

Why were the Oil revenues in the 50s considered a ‘mixed blessing?’

A

Large sums of money were spent on poorly designed projects- Kuwait was on the Verge of bankruptcy!
Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim blamed the British representatives who tried to force their advisors on the government

76
Q

How did Kuwait’s increasing oil revenue and expanding market in the 50s affect Britain?

A

Britain become more involved with Kuwait, rather than a political relationship it took on an Economical one, increasing its influence- encouraged the government to invest in British firms- which were inefficient

77
Q

How did Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem react to the economic crisis of the 50s?

A

Called a stop to nonessential state spending
Sent contractors home
Turned ships away from harbor

78
Q

Why did Britain grant Kuwait independence in June 19 1961?

A

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim stopped listening to British Political advisors and minimized British contractors, Britain saw that it had little to gain from this new relationship

79
Q

What was Sheikh Abdullah Al Salim’s last accomplishment following independence?

A

Setting up a Constituent Assembly to draft the constitution

80
Q

Why was it considered unusual that Shekih Abdullah AlSalim nominated sheikh Sabah AlSalim as heir?

A

Because of the previous alternation in lineage between Sheikh Jabir and Sheikh Salim

81
Q

When was the Constitution signed?

A

1962

82
Q

Under which Sheikh was Kuwait’s first foreign minister appointed?

A

Sheikh Sabah Al Salim

83
Q

Under which leadership did Kuwait assume full ownership of KOC?

A

Sabah Al Salim

84
Q

What actions suggest that Sheikh Sabah-Al-Salim was more authoritative than Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem?

A

Instituting press controls
Limiting public assembly
Deporting suspicious foreigners
Interfering in the electoral process

85
Q

What series of crises did Sheikh Jabir Al Ahmad see?

A

Economic problems (oil price decline)
Political problems (2nd dissolution of assembly 1986)
Pro democracy movement of 1990
Iraqi invasion 1990