A (Very) Short History of Qatar (Part Three)

Oil and Independence.

A major step in Qatar’s emergence occurred in 1935 when a consortium of American, British, Dutch, and French oil interests were granted a concession for oil exploration and production in the peninsula. High-quality oil was first discovered at Dukhan in 1939, and additional fields in 1940. Due to the Second World War, production and exportation did not begin until 1949. But over the subsequent decade, oil revenues provided funds for expansion and improvement of Qatar’s infrastructure system. In the 1960s, petrol-based prosperity led to rapid immigration, significant social progress, and the beginnings of modernization.

Decolonization of Europe’s world empires reached the Persian Gulf in 1968 when the British Government announced withdrawal from the region. That same year Qatar entered into negotiations with Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Bahrain, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain for the formation of a federation. The plan progressed up to late 1971, when Britain officially terminated its agreements with the Truce States; but the nine states had yet to formalize an agreement on union.

Then, on 3 September 1971, Qatar struck out on a separate course and declared its independence. Bahrain followed soon after. By December of that year the United Arab Emirates was formed, but without those two states as members.