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! 😊
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.
May I simply just say what a relief to uncover somebody that actually knows what they’re talking about over the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
Thanks for some other great post. Where else may anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal method of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such information.
While this issue can vexed most people, my thought is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do value that you’ve added pertinent and sound commentary here though. Thank you!
After looking at a few of the blog posts on your website, I truly appreciate your technique of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.
This will be helpful for my family.
I know this is not exactly on topic, but i have a blog using the blogengine platform as well and i’m having issues with my comments displaying. is there a setting i am forgetting? maybe you could help me out? thank you.
You have some helpful ideas! Maybe I should consider doing this by myself.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in our community. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work on|.You have done a marvellous job!
Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will add backlink – bookmark this site? Regards, Reader
Thanks for another great post. Where else may anybody get that type of info in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such information.
Hey, thanks for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Well, I don’t know if that’s going to work for me, but definitely worked for you! 🙂 Excellent post!
We can see that we need to develop policies to deal with this trend.
I absolutely adore your site! You aggressive me as able-bodied as all the others actuality and your broiled PS is absolutely great!
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t speak about these subjects. To the next! Many thanks!
When are you going to take this to a full book?
Good info. Lucky me I found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later.
This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very precise info… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
You have made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
I think I will become a great follower.Just want to say your post is striking. The clarity in your post is simply striking and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own site now 😉
Really enjoyed this blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
Hey, thanks for the post.Thanks Again. Cool.
A big thank you for your article.Really thank you! Cool.
It is truly a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us.
Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you
knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Excellent web site you have here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
I blog quite often and I really thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your Feed too.
Very good info. Lucky me I ran across your website by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
Im grateful for the blog post. Really Cool.
Major thankies for the article.Really thank you! Awesome.
You’re so awesome! I do not suppose I have read
anything like this before. So great to discover someone with some genuine thoughts on this subject matter.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web
site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any
interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for
me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content
as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail on the head. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a very good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I hesitate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
I was more than happy to find this site. I want to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to look at new things on your site.
Major thankies for the article.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account
your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality websites online. I am going to highly recommend this website!
I appreciate you sharing this blog.Really thank you! Will read on…
Hi, all is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really good, keep up writing.
Major thankies for the article. Cool.
Very good article. I’m going through some of these issues as well..
Thanks-a-mundo for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
Im thankful for the post.Really looking forward to read more.
The post is absolutely fantastic! Lots of great info and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your website and detailed info you offer! I will bookmark your website!