1) In 1916, Britain and Qatar signed a Treaty of Protection due to increasing piracy off Qatar's coast and flourishing arms trade. This gave Britain control over Qatar's foreign relations and defense in exchange for British protection.
2) The treaty was renewed in 1935, granting more control to Britain. It allowed British companies to explore for oil, use Qatar's airspace, and establish a telegraph system.
3) After World War 2, Britain withdrew its military from the Gulf as American oil interests grew. Qatar gained independence in 1971 when the British-Qatari treaty was cancelled.
Lesson 1 the Qatari-British relations(Treaty of 1916-1935)
1. LESSON -1 THE QATARI-BRITISH RELATIONS
(TREATY OF 1916-1935)
2. ASPIRATIONS OF BRITAIN IN QATAR
Britain has tried to dominate Qatar during the era of
Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Thani (1878-1913). Britain
tried to use the battle of Al-Wajbah 1893 for its benefit
.But Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Thani preferred to
aviod cooperation with Britain until his death in July 1913
and that remained until the Ottomans left Qatar
permanently in 1915.
Al Wajbah Fort
3. TREATY OF PROTECTION(1916)
CONCLUSIONS OF THE TREATY 0F 1916 BETWEEN
QATAR AND BRITAIN :
The Increasing of piracy on the coast of Qatar
The flourishing of arms trade in Doha
The downfall of Al-Ahsaa in the hands of Amir Abdul Aziz Al-
Saud, Which threatened the interests of Britain
The European aspirations to the Arabian gulf
4. IMPORTANT ITEMS IN TREATY OF 1916
1) Sheik Abdullah bin Jasim Al-Thani vowed to cooperate with
the British Govt. to eliminate the slave trade and piracy and to
maintain the sea safety
2) Vice-Versa British Govt. vowed that his ships, his people and
their ships have all immunities, privileges and advantages.
3) Sheikh committed no to establish any relationships,
communicate or receive any deputy of any other country
without the approval the British Govt.
4) Sheikh vowed to allow the British to reside in Qatar with the
purpose of trading to protect themselves
5) The British Govt. vowed to protect Sheikh,his people and
affiliated lands from any sea side attack
6) Sheikh shall not rent any part of Qatar’s land without the
approval of the British Govt.
5. RENEWAL OF THE PROTECTION TREATY IN 1935
The new treaty include the comprehensive protection of the
state from sea, land and air
Treaty contained following:
The British Persian company is given the franchise of
exploring oil in Qatar
Usage of the Royal British Air forces against any attacks on
Qatar
Appointment of British Deputy in Qatar
Establishing a post office and institutions for telegraphs and
wireless communication
Allowing Britains aliens,Indians and others to enter Qatar to
establish business and other works.
6. INDEPENDENCE OF QATAR
After the world War II(1939-1945),Britain found
that protecting oil of the Arabian gulf was not
necessary because the American oil interests
expanded in the region
Britain announced in 1968 to pull its military
troops from Arabian Gulf before the end of 1971
Qatar played a major role to form a
confederation of nine emirates of Arabian Gulf
On 3rd Sept. 1971,the Independence of Qatar
was announced by which the British-Qatari
Treaty concluded was cancelled.