Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8241-7421>

Date of Award

8-7-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

History

First Advisor

Allen Fromherz

Second Advisor

Ghulam Nadri

Third Advisor

Jeffrey Trask

Fourth Advisor

Courtney Freer

Abstract

In 1949, the first shipment of oil departed the Qatari peninsula, marking the beginning of a period of profound social, political, and economic transformations. Oil also led to the development of an industry based on extraction that provided new income to the ruling family, the Al Thani. The demand for manpower favored the emergence of a labor movement that pushed for better conditions for locals in the workplace for locals, which they understood had more rights over the newfound riches than the growing number of foreign workers. Influenced by Pan-Arabism, many Qataris who worked in the oil industry formed civil society organizations that reclaimed reform, public investment, and the curtailing of Al Thani privileges. Important highlights of these protest movements include the attack in 1956 on the main oil pipeline in the country and the street marches of 1963, which saw wide participation and support but ended with many of its leaders in prison or sent into exile. However, the impact of the protests on leadership was deep. While Sheikh Ali (r. 1949-1960) only responded partially to the popular demands, Sheikh Ahmed (r. 1960-1972), his son and successor, started a program of reform that slowly established mechanisms of participation, reduced the allowances of the Al Thani, and incorporated Qataris of different tribal backgrounds into government positions. His Deputy Ruler and cousin, Sheikh Khalifa (r. 1972-1995), and a legal expert brought from the Egyptian diplomatic corps called Hassan Kamel were the main promoters of the emerging state apparatus. By the late 1960s, it had taken the space formerly occupied by the British administration. In December 1967, Britain announced the withdrawal from all its territories east of Suez. This included Qatar, but the country had already prepared for it and in 1970 it approved its constitution. A year after, in 1971, Qatar declared its independence, and in February 1972 Sheikh Khalifa announced in a bloodless coup that he was the new Ruler of Qatar after years of being in charge of most political affairs.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/37390188

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