18 Questions
Who were the rulers of Sharjah and a major maritime power during the 18th century?
Al-Qawasim
Who ruled Kuwait from 1896 to 1915 and made Kuwait a protectorate of the British Empire?
Mubarak bin Sabah
What was the primary means of communication and administration between Kuwait and the Ottoman Empire?
Basra
What was the name of the British military operation in 1961 to protect Kuwait against Iraq?
Operation Vantage
What was the name of the fort built in Kuwait by the Banu Kahled in 1672?
Kut
What led to the halt of the Berlin-Baghdad Railway project?
Kuwait becoming a British protectorate in 1899
Who was the ruler of Kuwait who built the first wall, which helped the emergence of residential areas such as Sharq and Jibla?
Sabah bin Jaber
What was the significance of the Cape of Good Hope in the context of Kuwaiti-British relations?
It was a major sea route used by the British to reach India
Which empire was a major imperial ally to Kuwait, especially during much of the 1800s?
Ottoman Empire
What was the outcome of the 1921 Council in Kuwait?
It lacked a strong popular base and lasted for two months only
What was the Debt Cycle in Kuwaiti society?
An exploitative mechanism that enslaved a diver to a pearl merchant
What was the significance of the Constitution drafted in 1961?
It established Kuwait as a constitutional monarchy and Islam as the state religion
What was the outcome of the Hassa Expedition in 1871?
Hassa was reincorporated into the Ottoman Empire
What was the significance of India in the context of Kuwait?
India was a major source of cotton, spices, and population for the British Empire
What was the title granted to Abdullah II by the Ottoman Empire?
Kaymakam
What was the outcome of the Jeddah Conference in 1990?
Kuwaitis pledged support for Al-Sabah in return for parliament and freedom of press
Who led a protest against the ruler and migrated to Bahrain in 1910?
Helal Al-Mutairi
Who was the ruler of Kuwait from 1977 to 2006?
Jaber Al-Ahmad
Study Notes
The Rulers of Kuwait
- The Al-Sabah family has been in charge of politics and defense in Kuwait since the early 18th century and are the current rulers of Kuwait.
- Sabah bin Jaber, also known as Sabah I, ruled Kuwait from 1756-1762 and built the first wall, which helped the emergence of residential areas.
Early History of Kuwait
- The Utub families, including Al-Sabah and Al-Khalifa, settled in Kuwait in the early 18th century.
- In 1672, the Banu Khalid built the Kut fort in Kuwait for defense, storage, and residence, marking the founding of Kuwait.
British Influence
- Mubarak bin Sabah ruled Kuwait from 1896-1915 and made Kuwait a protectorate of the British Empire in 1899, cutting ties with the Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman Empire
- The Ottoman Empire was a major imperial ally to Kuwait, especially during the 1800s.
- The Ottoman Empire reached its peak during the 16th century.
- The Ottoman Empire granted the title of Kaymakam to the rulers of Kuwait in recognition of their allegiance.
Regional History
- Al-Qawasim, rulers of Sharjah, were defeated by the British in 1819 for alleged piracy activities in the Gulf.
- The Berlin-Baghdad Railway was a German railway built to connect Berlin to Kuwait through Ottoman territory, but the plan was halted when Kuwait became a British protectorate in 1899.
Councils and Constitutions
- The 1921 Council was the first consultative council in Kuwait, consisting of 12 members representing the Sunni merchant elites, but it lacked a strong popular base and lasted for only two months.
- The 1938 Council was the first legislative council in Kuwait, consisting of 14 members representing the Sunni merchant elites, but it was dissolved by the ruler for its vocal opposition.
- The Constitution was drafted by the constituent assembly in 1961 and approved in 1962, establishing Kuwait as a constitutional monarchy with Islam as the state religion.
Economic and Social History
- The Debt Cycle was an exploitative mechanism that enslaved divers to pearl merchants, adding to the power of merchants in Kuwaiti society.
- Faw was an agricultural region close to Shat al-Arab, where Al-Sabah and prominent Kuwaiti merchants owned lands since the 19th century, strengthening Kuwait-Ottoman relations.
Wars and Battles
- The Hassa Expedition was an Ottoman war in 1871 to reincorporate Hassa into the Empire, where Kuwait participated in the war and its ruler Abdullah II was granted the title of Kaymakam for his contribution.
- Ibn Saud, the founder of the third Saudi State, launched an attack on Kuwait in 1920, marking the Battle of Jahra.
- Operation Vantage was a British military operation in 1961 to protect Kuwait against Iraq, which recognized Kuwait's independence in 1963.
This quiz covers the history of Kuwait and its relationship with the Ottoman Empire, including the Berlin-Baghdad Railway and British involvement.
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