Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim, 1913-1949

When did Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim become the ruler of Qatar?

Which event marked the beginning of shared British-Qatari concern about Saudi extension towards the Gulf emirates?

What event formalized the Ottoman Empire relinquishing sovereignty over Qatar?

In which year did the Ottoman garrison exit from Qatar?

Which country emerged as a significant regional power with the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty?

What change increased the stability of the authority of the ruling family in Qatar according to the 1913 Agreement?

Why did Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim become the ruler of Qatar in 1913?

What motivated the British to sign the 1916 treaty with Qatar?

What was one of Sheikh Abdullah's goals with the Treaty of 1916?

Why did the British want to prevent Abd al-Aziz al-Saud from taking over Qatar?

What event prompted negotiations between the British and Qatar towards signing a treaty in 1915?

Why did the British work on creating a new framework for their presence in Qatar after the Ottomans left?

Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim (1880-1949)

Became the ruler of Qatar on July 17, 1913, and ruled for 36 years
His rule was during an important and transformational period in Qatar's history

Changes in the Arab Gulf Region (Early 20th Century)

Ottoman presence in the Arab Gulf and Arabian Peninsula ended
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emerged as a regional power
Emergence of the Pahlavi dynasty and transformation of Iran into a significant regional power
Increasing American presence in the Gulf, especially in the context of its “open market” policy and competition against the British role in Qatar

Key Changes in Qatar's History (Early 20th Century)

Ottoman Empire relinquished sovereignty over Qatar, formalized in the Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913
British and Ottoman acknowledgment of the rule of Al Thani in Qatar, according to the 1913 Agreement
Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim's assumption of rule in Qatar after a series of problems with his family
British took control of Qatar after the Ottoman forces left in 1915

Factors Motivating the British to Sign the 1916 Treaty with Qatar

Exit of the Ottoman forces from Doha in 1915 created an opportunity for a new agreement between the British and Qatar
Appearance of new powers competing with the British in the Arab Gulf, especially the United States, Japan, and Russia
Flourishing of the weapons trade in Qatar and the spread of piracy in its waters, threatened the British fleet during World War I
British wanted to protect their interests in the region, especially with the discovery of oil in Iran in 1908

Sheikh Abdullah's Goals with the Treaty of 1916

Ensure the transition of power to his son, the crown prince Sheikh Hamad
Prevent Abd al-Aziz al-Saud's expansionist ambitions towards Qatar, after his seizure of Al-Ahsa in 1913

Test your knowledge about the ruler Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim and the transformational period he ruled in Qatar from 1913 to 1949. Explore the essential changes in the Arab Gulf region during the early twentieth century.