Hey fellow adventurers! I hope I can cover Saudi Arabia’s history justly! If you feel anything needs expanding upon, please feel free to tell me in the comment section below! And as always, I highly encourage you to look deeper into anything in this post that interests you. And for those of you living in the United States, Happy Labor Day! I hope you’re enjoying your extended weekend!
For much of the history of the Arabian Peninsula, tribal rulers controlled most of the territory. In 570 CE, the prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca. In 622 CE, he moved to Medina and began to unite the tribes of Arabia under the banner of Islam. To this day, Mecca and Medina remain the most spiritually important places in the Muslim world.
In the 19th century CE, the Al Saud family fought nomadic tribes for territory within the Arabian Peninsula, especially the Rashidi family. In 1902, Abd-al-Aziz Bin-Abd-al-Rahman Bin-Faysal Bin-Turki Bin-Abdallah Bin-Muhammad Al Saud (often known as Ibn Saud) took control of Riyadh and gave the Saudi family the upper hand. In 1912, the Ikhwan (Brotherhood) was founded based on Wahhabism and promised to help Ibn Saud conquer the Arabian Peninsula. With the help of the Ikhwan, the Saud family started gaining more and more territory, until they finally took the holy cities, Mecca and Medina in 1925. In 1928, the Ikhwan turned against the Saudi family after the family welcomed non-Muslims into the territory and tried to modernize the region, and were defeated in 1930. In 1932, all the territories are united into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Ibn Saud crowned King.
Eureka! In 1938, oil is discovered and production begins under the US-controlled Aramco (the Arabian American Oil Company). In 1960, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran founded the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) whose mission is to “coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets, in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers, and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.” In 1972, Saudi Arabia gains 20% of Aramco, and in 1980 they take full control of Aramco so the US can’t control the oil in Saudi Arabia. In 1973, Saudi Arabia boycotts the western countries that supported Israel in the October war, quadrupling gas prices.
In 1981, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates founded the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with the intention to strengthen relations amongst participating countries and promote cooperation amongst the countries’ citizens. In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait which Saudi Arabia quickly condemned and requested the assistance of the United States to defeat Iraq. The United States responded by stationing troops in Saudi Arabia so they could push Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. However, removing the presence of American troops once the war ended became one of the main goals of Al-Qaeda (a terrorist group consisting of mostly Saudi citizens).
In the 1990’s, Al-Qaeda increases the number of terrorist incidents against western targets. All this eventually escalates and leads to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 in which 15 out of the 19 terrorists were Saudi nationalists (I’ll cover this subject in greater depth later). In which King Fahd’s response is to state that they need to work on the eradication of terrorism. In 2003, the United States pulls almost all their troops out of Saudi Arabia. King Fahd gives the Consultative Council (a legislative body that represents individual districts) more power, allowing them to propose legislation without his permission.
Once again, there’s an increase in Al-Qaeda related terrorist attacks as Saudi Arabia fights back against extremism. In 2007, the religious police are banned from detaining subjects. Starting in 2009, major reforms started to take place including the first woman minister, the sacking of the head of the religious police and the act of modernizing the government. The Arab Spring (protests due to deep seated resentment of the aging Arab ruler class, unemployment and corruption within the government) came to Saudi Arabia in 2011. This helped lead to an increase in women protests (protesting not only about that but also against things like the ban that states women aren’t allowed to drive). These protests weren’t effective in bringing about change. In response King Fahd announces an increase in welfare spending, his intent on creating more jobs and the intention to grant more rights to women. In 2012, women were allowed to compete in the Olympics, and in 2013 women are added to the Consultative Council for the first time.
In 2013, Saudi Arabia rejects an offer for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council because King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud believed that the UN was not doing enough to help Syria. Meanwhile, they continue to tighten laws against terrorists, labelling Islamic groups as terrorist organizations and banning any funding and/or support for those organizations listed; as well as participating with other Arab states in airstrikes against Islamic state militants. The government approves for far reaching reforms to diversify the economy away from oil. This year, Saudi Arabia sparks a diplomatic crisis by leading an air, land and sea blockade by Arab countries, to get Qatar to cut its alleged connections with terrorism and distance itself from Iran.
The past and present kings of Saudi Arabia:
- Ibn Saud (1932-1952): he fought for the territory that is now Saudi Arabia, ruled as king for 21 years and started a large-scale oil production that made his family rich.
- Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1953-1964): a lot of people gave him a hard time because when the Saud debt began piling up, rather than cut back on his lavish lifestyle, he cut government programs instead and was eventually forced by his family to abdicate the throne.
- Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1964-1975): he was known for rescuing the country’s finances and implementing a policy of modernization and reform before being assassinated by his nephew Faisal bin Musaid in 1975.
- Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1975-1982): he showed an interest in improving the education, health-care and infrastructure of the country but failed to monopolize the power during his reign and was unsuccessful.
- Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1982-2005): he was a supporter of the United Nations and spent a lot of money on improving religious education for his country.
- Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2005-2015): he maintained strong relations with other countries, gave women the right to vote for municipal councils and to compete in the Olympics, and maintained the status quo during the Arab Spring.
- Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2015-?): he is the current king of Saudi Arabia and has so far ordered the bombing of Yemen and has lost support after the Mina Stampede in 2015 when over 2,400 people died during their Hajj pilgrimage.
If you prefer videos, please feel free to check out this short animation:
That wraps us this history portion. Thank you all for reading my blog! Until our next adventure! 😊
Great goods from you, man. I have understand
your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I actually
like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say
it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a great website.
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites for
about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it?
Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing these details.
Hey There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. That is a really
neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and
come back to read more of your helpful info. Thanks for the post.
I’ll certainly return.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of
your website? Its very well written; I love what youve
got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content
so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful
lot of text for only having 1 or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?
Hi there to every , since I am in fact keen of reading this blog’s post to be updated regularly.
It includes good material.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try
to get the hang of it!
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after
checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll
be book-marking and checking back frequently!
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot
of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space
it out better?
I have learn some good stuff here. Definitely worth
bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you put to create this sort of
magnificent informative website.
If you would like to grow your know-how just keep visiting this
website and be updated with the hottest gossip posted
here.
It’s awesome to go to see this website and reading the views of all friends regarding this post, while I am
also keen of getting knowledge.
This is my first time visit at here and i am genuinely impressed to
read everthing at one place.
Hello, I do think your website may be having web browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, great
blog!
Thanks to my father who stated to me about this webpage, this webpage is genuinely awesome.
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is valuable and all. Nevertheless think
of if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more,
“pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this
site could definitely be one of the best in its niche. Very
good blog!
I’m no longer certain where you’re getting your information, but good
topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or understanding more.
Thanks for wonderful info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff prior to
and you’re simply extremely great. I really like what you have received here, really like what you are saying and the way wherein you assert it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is really a terrific web site.
I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never
found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me.
In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good
content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a material!
existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this
web site.
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.
I was seeking this particular info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together.
I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time
both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time choosing
between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs
and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Fine way of describing, and pleasant paragraph to take information regarding my presentation subject, which i am
going to deliver in college.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book
in it or something. I think that you can do with
some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that,
this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read.
I will definitely be back.
I do trust all the ideas you have presented on your post.
They are really convincing and will certainly work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for beginners. Could you please extend them a little from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
This is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read article!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
You have some really great articles and I feel I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love
to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a
link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if
interested. Cheers!
I constantly emailed this website post page to all my contacts,
as if like to read it after that my links will too.
Hi to every one, the contents present at this web page are genuinely awesome for people experience, well,
keep up the good work fellows.
Wonderful site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of
any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get
feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Many
thanks!
fantastic post, very informative. I’m wondering why the
other experts of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing.
I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this site, and piece of writing is
in fact fruitful in support of me, keep up posting these types of articles.
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you
simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for
the post. I will definitely return.
Good answer back in return of this query with solid arguments and telling all regarding that.
Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put
this short article together. I once again find myself personally
spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
I could not resist commenting. Very well written!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?
My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my users would really benefit from a lot of
the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Regards!
Wonderful article! We will be linking to this particularly
great post on our site. Keep up the great writing.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding
choice of colors!
I savour, result in I discovered just what I used to be looking for.
You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem along with your site in internet explorer, would test this?
IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a big component of folks
will omit your fantastic writing because of this problem.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS.
I don’t know why I am unable to join it.
Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues?
Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
It’s going to be end of mine day, except before finish I
am reading this wonderful paragraph to increase my know-how.
This is very attention-grabbing, You’re a very professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for more of your excellent post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
This piece of writing is truly a nice one it helps new internet users, who are wishing
for blogging.
Hi, i think that i noticed you visited my weblog so i came to go back the prefer?.I’m trying to to find things to enhance my site!I assume its ok
to make use of a few of your ideas!!
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.
Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!