The BRITISH MARITIME SYSTEM AND NATIONAL IDENTITY 1750-1898 Flashcards
why did the british want to expand control over souhtern gulf?
During the eighteenth century, the British attempted to expand their influence in the southern Gulf. They considered themselves masters of the seas and attempted to control shipping and trade as much as possible. One of the possible reasons for this was that cloth, which they had once shipped through Russia and Syria, now came through the Arabian Gulf.
wht challenge was faced by british?what was the main reason?
The Qawasim’s large navy came to challenge British sea power in the area. At its peak, according to reports from the time, the Qasimi navy had over 60 large ships and could put over 15,000 sailors to sea. Conflict Inevitably broke out. To the Qawasim, the seas of the Arabian Gulf were their territory and they had a right to control and to ‘tax’ ships that passed through their waters. By the end of the eighteenth century, the Al Nahyan had also established their power base on Abu Dhabi. Their seat of power, Qasr al-hosn, became the center of economic activities, especially pearling. The British were keen to maintain and expand control of the sea routes to India. They felt that the increasing economic power of Al Nahyan and the Qawasim threatened that control.
what did the british do to justify themselves
To Justify their actions, the British accused the Qawasim of ‘piracy’.
what evidence can we provide to say that the accusation of ‘piracy’ was false?
Detailed research by today’s Ruler of Sharjah, Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, provides an effective and detailed answer to the British claim. He has Investigated many documents kept in Mumbai (Bombay) and shown
that Qawasim piracy was ‘myth’ created by the British. They used this to justify their attempts to control trade in the Arabian Gulf.The charge of piracy by the British against the Qawasim was first made in December 1804, and continued up to 1821. But in the period from 1801 to 1821, imports from the Arabian Gulf to Bombay more than doubled and exports from Bombay to the Arabian Gulf almost tripled. In other words, Qawasim activity did not affect trade or the ‘safety of the seas’.
what steps did the british take to claim control of trade?
In 1805, after several encounters, the British blockaded the Qawasim fleet on Qishm, an island in southern Iran that they controlled. Clashes at sea between British and Qawasim ships continued and four years later, the British attacked Ras al- Khaimah.
On November 13th 1809, they captured the town and destroyed its harbor and fortifications. The Qawasim, however, rapidly rebuilt their fleet. This led to further clashes and, In late 1819, the British once again attacked Ras al- Khaimah as well as other strongholds along the coastline like the fort of Dhayah, north of Ras al- Khaimah.
what was the general maritime treaty of 1820
In January 1820, the General Maritime Treaty was signed between the British and rulers of several of the Emirates. An original copy was signed on the beach at Ras al-Khaimah and then additional rulers signed. These Included the sheikhs of Ras al-Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm al-Quwain.
what were the aims of the general maritime treaty?
The aim of the treaty was to further British control of shipping, but it also provided for an expansion of pearling and trade by the rulers of the emirates. This treaty also included a commitment to prohibit maritime transport of slaves, long before the practice was abolished in many other countries.
what were the outcomes of the general maritime treaty?
The aim of the treaty was to further British control of shipping, but it also provided for an expansion of pearling and trade by the rulers of the emirates. This treaty also Included a commitment to prohibit maritime transport of slaves, long before the practice was abolished in many other countries.
One result of the General Maritime Treaty was the development of closer relations between two tribal groupings of the Bani Yas and the Qawasim. They were to grow in power and play a critical role in the development of the modern state. Throughout the nineteenth century, the foundations of the modem country were being laid.The General Maritime Treaty was able to end piracy in the region.
why was the uae referred to as ‘trucial states’
The word “trucial” was used to describe the fact that the rulers of the UAE’s seven component states were bound by truces signed with the United Kingdom in 1820 and an agreement signed in 1892 accepting British protection. As a result, they were known as the trucial states.
what were disadvantages of general maritime treaty
- UAE rulers were prohibited to build large ships and erect fortifications along the Arab coast.
- British used the treaty to claim the right to police the seas of the lower Gulf.
what was the truce signed in 1835?
The British who were fearful of resurgent resistance from our local people, persuaded the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to sign a Maritime Truce In 1835 banning acts of war at sea during the pearling season. it was signed by-the Sheikh of Umm al Qaiwain in the following year.
what is a truce
A truce Is a cease fire agreement.
wht was rhe ten year’s truce
the ten years truce(signed 1843) allowed the British supported fleet of Indian naval forces to patrol the pearl banks along the coast
what is the perpetual maritime treaty of 1853?
The british and local shieksh agreed tohave complete peace at sea.The Sheikhs agreed to a complete cessation of hostilities at sea and refered to this as ‘a perfect maritime truce for evermore’. It was this truce that gave the British the idea of calling this region as the trucial coast.
signed 1853
explain the ‘exclusive agreements of 1892’
With the Ottoman Empire’s presence and influence in the Iraq and the Northern Gulf, the United Kingdom entered into another agreement with the Trucial Sheikhdoms through a new treaty known as the Exclusive Agreements of 1892. It provided guarantees of British military protection of the Gulf Sheikhdoms but attempted to restrict the ability of the local sheikhs from engaging in foreign policy and other negotiations and full autonomy.
