History of Qatar: British and Ottoman Relations

Qatar's Political Development (1913-1949)

• Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim ruled Qatar from 1913 to 1949, a period of significant political transformation.
• He was born in Doha in 1880.
• The Ottoman Empire relinquished sovereignty over Qatar in 1913.
• The Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913 formalized this.
• The British and Ottoman governments acknowledged the Al Thani ruling family's authority in 1913.
• This increased the stability of the ruling family.

Lecture Themes

• New powers emerged in the Gulf during the early 20th century.
• British policy toward Qatar evolved.
• Factors motivating the British to sign the 1916 Treaty included stopping slave trade, piracy, and arms trade in Qatar; the spread of piracy, and rising economic crisis due to World War 1.
• Sheikh Abdullah's goals with the 1916 Treaty included securing the transition of power to his son, Sheikh Hamad, and preventing concerns surrounding the growing power of Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, who might seek to incorporate Qatar into his territory.
• British policy toward Qatar changed in the 1930s, leading to a new agreement in 1935. The main motivation for this was the growing importance of oil.
• Sheikh Abdullah successfully allowed the US to enter Qatar's oil survey process.

New Powers in the Early 20th Century

• The Ottoman presence in the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula ended.
• Saudi Arabia emerged as a regional power.
• The fall of Al-Ahsa to Abd al-Aziz Al Saud in 1913 signaled increased British-Qatari concern about Saudi expansion.
• The Pahlavi dynasty transformed Iran into a significant regional power
• The American presence increased in the Gulf, competing with Britain's influence.

Key Changes (pre-1916)

• The Ottoman Empire relinquished sovereignty over Qatar.
• The Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913 was followed by the exit of the Ottoman garrison, solidifying British influence
• British and Ottoman recognition helped stabilize the Al Thani ruling family.
• The sequence of events led to Sheikh Abdullah taking control as ruler of Qatar.

Motivations for the 1916 Treaty

• The exit of Ottoman forces created an opportunity for a new agreement between Britain and Qatar.
• The appearance of new powers in the Arab Gulf (the USA, Japan, and Russia) posed competition for Britain.
• The economic crisis of WWI and piracy in Qatari waters threatened Britain's economic interests.
• The discovery of oil in Masjid Soliman, Iran (1908), underscored British desire to gain access to the Gulf region and protect economic interests.

Sheikh Abdullah's Treaty Goals

• Secure the smooth transition of power to his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad, preventing potential succession conflicts
• Prevent Abd al-Aziz Al Saud's expansion into Qatar. This was achieved through the Treaty of Darin (1915), which limited attacks and interference into internal affairs.

Treaty of 1916 Provisions

• Cooperation on preventing slave trade, piracy, and weapons trade.
• Annual financial assistance and weapons supplies to Qatar.
• Protection of British merchants.
• Prohibiting relations with other countries without British approval.
• British pledge to protect Qatar in case of external attack.
• Restrictions on granting concessions or renting Qatari territory without consent.

Provisions Sheikh Abdullah Refused

• Appointment of a British agent in Doha (feared weakening domestic authority).
• Allowing Indian merchants (banyan), as this risked harming local commercial activities.
• Establishing post and telegraph offices, as this was unnecessary at the time.

British Policy and the 1916 Treaty

• British policy aimed to use al-Ahsa and Qatar to advance their strategic objectives in the Gulf, notably during WWI.
• They sought to maintain a solution free of German influence in the waters of the Gulf.
• A key aim was preventing Abd al-Aziz Al Saud from encroaching on Qatar. This goal emphasized the political and geographic stability of the region.
• The treaty prioritized British interests and securing control over the region, not necessarily Qatar's protection in a broad sense.

The 1916 Treaty (overview)

• Left Qatar's internal affairs under the rule of its local ruler.
• Guaranteed Qatar's independence, with the Brits' role as protectors.
• Marked a shift in the political structure for Qatar, forming part of Britain's sphere of influence in the region.
• These treaties, under Lord Curzon, framed the Arab Gulf region as a "British lake."

Practical Application of the 1916 Treaty

• Qatar accepted the treaty, but British policy evolved based on WWII events and interests.
• The issue of arming Qatar arose due to border concerns with Saudia Arabia's burgeoning power.
• The British largely ignored commitments. The treaty became a framework for advancing and exercising power, given the political circumstances.
• Key requests were made about military support and succession.

The Practical Application of the 1916 Treaty (continued)

• The British largely avoided direct involvement in Qatar's internal affairs, as per Sheikh Abdullah's concerns.
• Rejected pleas for military support in case of threats from family members, and also refused support over succession of his son.

Saudi-British Treaty (1927)

• Abd al-Aziz Al Saud expanded his territories.
• The treaty between Abd al-Aziz and Britain (Treaty of Jeddah) guaranteed boundaries and protection from attacking.

British-Qatari Negotiations Regarding the Airport

• The British sought airports to support air routes to India.
• Initial resistance to building the airport came from Sheikh Abdullah. This was due to concerns of British gaining undue control over the region
• Negotiations in 1931 and 1933 led to the successful establishment of an airport.

The Oil Concession and Renewal (1935)

• Britain needed to protect its oil interests after WWI and the rise of the American oil companies.
• The need for complete protection (not just from sea attacks) from aggressive neighbours became apparent to Sheikh Abdullah regarding new threats - especially land-based.
• Sheikh Abdullah sought renewal of land-based protection.
• Sheikh Abdullah insisted that the British acknowledge his son Hamad as the crown prince.

British Goals in Renewing Protection

• The British welcomed Sheikh Abdullah's request, but were concerned by rising American influence in the Gulf after the loss of oil fields to rival companies.
• The British considered this opportunity to maintain its concession for oil exploration rights in order to maintain political dominance.

Negotiations of the 1935 Protection Treaty

• The British government was prepared to renew the Anglo-Persian oil concession in exchange for protection.
• Protection would be from land attacks, with the support of the Royal Air Force, which required facilities in Qatar.
• The RAF would have access to Qatar whenever needed.

The 1935 Protection Treaty (continued)

• A British political resident visited Qatar to finalise details of protection in April 1935.
• The 1935 agreement stipulated British provision of protection in exchange for an oil concession. 
• Protection would cover external attacks, including those from land. The British Air Force would provide the protection.
• Qatar would protect and guarantee the safety of British officers and facilities.

The 1935 Qatari-British Treaty

• The British acknowledged Sheikh Hamad as crown prince
• The new element was the provision for oil exploration concessions.
• British policy considered Qatar's vulnerability given increasing American influence, creating an opportunity to protect British interests.

Qatar and Oil (Early 20th Century)

• Oil surveying began in 1925, with Sheikh Abdullah agreeing to requests of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
• The agreement wasn't signed until 1935, including surveying, drilling, extracting, transporting, refining and selling oil and natural gas for 75 years.

Qatar and Oil (continued)

• Border disputes emerged in early 1930s with neighbours like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Disputes over the boundaries of Qatar and its neighbours' claim to resources in disputed zones were significant.
• An international dispute regarding ownership of these islands caused significant complexities in the 1930s. 
• Oil production began in 1939, transforming the economic and political landscape of Qatar significantly.
• This period was a definitive start to Qatar's progress in the political and economic sphere.

Qatar and Oil (continued)

• The British company (Qatar Petroleum) succeeded in gaining a concession from Sheikh Abdullah. American company Superior Oil, was awarded rights to explore adjacent waters to Qatar's shores due to the British company.
• A new agreement with Shell was signed in 1952.
• Post-WWII, American companies gained prominence in the Gulf.

Qatar During WWII

• Oil explorations halted in 1942 due to the war.
• Pearl fishing suffered as European markets were closed and financing dried up.
• British efforts were made to assist Qatar with food provisions.

Qatar Requests Weapons (1916-late 1920s)

• The 1916 treaty obligated Britain to supply weapons, but this was delayed by Britain
• When the Sheikh requested weapons to bolster his army, Britain eventually obliged but with the implicit intention that this would be advantageous to long-term British interests on Qatar
• Provided weapons supplies to Qatar on the condition that they were used only for internal security.

Qatar Requests Weapons (continued)

• Sheikh Abdullah requested further supplies in the 1930s. This was due to concerns over internal security due to border disputes and internal threats against territory.
• There was ongoing need for British aid, creating a continued dependence upon British support and resources.

Qatar Requests Weapons (1930s)

• Dispute with Bahrain in 1937 over boundaries.
• Sheikh Abdullah built Zubarah Castle in 1938.
• Attempt to secure loyalty of Al Naeem tribe.
• Requested armored cars but Britain refused citing the nature of the terrain.
• Ongoing concern about British commitment to assist with security given their long-term engagement (protection treaty)

Sheikh Abdullah Refuses British Political Agent

• Sheikh Abdullah objected to Britain's refusal to supply arms for internal security, and the appointment of a political agent. This led Britain to appoint a hospital doctor (unofficially) as an agent.

The Crown Prince Crisis (1948)

• Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad died in 1948.
• Sheikh Abdullah took over again, requiring him to retake control
• Issues over succession arose. Sheikh Abdullah sought advice and requested further weapons aid from Britain.

The Crown Prince Crisis (1948) - continued

• Sheikh Abdullah nominated his son, Sheikh Ali, but there was British resistance to recognising him.

• The British attempted to use this as an opportunity to secure a more prominent role in Qatar.

• Sheikh Abdullah resisted by organising support among local tribal members.

Sheikh Abdullah Abdicates (1949)

• Clashes in Doha
• British agents pressured Sheikh Abdullah regarding a British political agent post.
• Sheikh Abdullah abdicated in favor of his son, Sheikh Ali.

Appointment of a British Political Agent (1949)

• Britain appointed its first political agent in Qatar in 1949.
• Delays were due to concerns about securing control, the need for a locally-desirable approach and the uncertainty surrounding the discovery and start of production of oil - a strategic element in British interest in the Gulf.

This quiz explores significant historical events and treaties that shaped Qatar's geopolitical landscape from the Ottoman presence to British influence. Test your knowledge on key figures, treaties, and the evolution of foreign relations in Qatar during the early twentieth century.