Saudi Arab 1932-2011

Question 1

Abdul Aziz

Answer 1

established the Saudi state in 1932

Question 2

Wahhabism

Answer 2

a form of Islam - austere and puritanical

Question 3

saudi government

Answer 3

rule relied on Ulema (wahhabi religious leaders)

most laws derived from Koran and enforced by religious police

Question 4

impact of oil

Answer 4

after WW2, it brought great wealth to the country - wealth enabled them to build the infrastructure of a modern state

Question 5

relations with West

Answer 5

allied with US - needed west to develop and protect its oil

Saudi’s feared and hated communism

Question 6

promotion of Islam

Answer 6

they financed Muslim charities and the building of Mosques and schools throughout the world

Question 7

revolt of 1979

Answer 7

a group of saudi religious extremists denounced their rulers as corrupt and seized the great mosque at Mecca

crushed by the army

Question 8

support for Arab nationalism

Answer 8

emphasised traditional and religious dimension of being an Arab - financed PLO and initiated the oil embargo of 1973

Question 9

dislike of Nasser

Answer 9

disliked his brand of Arab nationalism and his socialist policies