History of Saudi Arabia

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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! 😊

3,829 thoughts on “History of Saudi Arabia”

  1. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all
    that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say excellent blog!

  2. I just couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I extremely loved the standard information a person provide on your visitors?
    Is gonna be again incessantly in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  3. The review is incredibly interesting. If you need to experiment with slot gacor, I would advise participating in regarding honest slot pulsa sites.
    As you can get big results all of the incentives and acquire promised internet marketer payouts.
    When you need to have, you are able to straight just click here listed below.
    The web link is often a placement web site that is definitely frequently used
    amongst Indonesia online players.

  4. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for
    the next!

  5. Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your
    stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely great. I really like what you have obtained
    here, really like what you’re saying and the best
    way through which you are saying it. You are making it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it smart.
    I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific
    website.

  6. Receive the majority of the most updated judi casino online gaming system only with the internet site.
    You may play situs live casino within a relaxed manner since you will discover alternatives of providers.

  7. Hello there, I discovered your web site by means of Google at the same
    time as searching for a related matter, your web site came up, it
    seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, simply became aware of your blog via Google, and found that it is really
    informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I’ll appreciate should
    you continue this in future. Numerous folks will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  8. Hello are using WordPress for your site platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html
    coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be
    really appreciated!

  9. Hello there, I discovered your web site by the
    use of Google while searching for a related matter, your site got here up, it appears
    to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, simply become aware of your weblog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you happen to continue this in future.
    A lot of other folks might be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  10. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.
    I was looking for this particular information for a long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

  11. That is very interesting, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to looking
    for more of your excellent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your
    website in my social networks

  12. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  13. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it
    but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your
    blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look
    forward to seeing it develop over time.

  14. The analysis is very interesting. If you require to
    find out situs slot pulsa, I recommend taking part in in dependable slot online pulsa niche sites.
    As you can gain big results every one of the perks and get
    guaranteed marketer affiliate payouts. If you would like to play,
    you may right away take a look through in this article. The web link is known as a video
    slot site that may be commonly used between Indonesia online players.

  15. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!

    I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later.
    Cheers

  16. I was suggested this blog through my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether this put up is written through him as no one else recognize
    such distinct about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thank you!

  17. Nice weblog here! Also your site lots up fast!

    What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink on your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  18. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any
    browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer
    but looks great in Opera. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

  19. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just
    your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    Nevertheless think about if you added some great pictures or
    video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips,
    this blog could definitely be one of the most beneficial
    in its niche. Amazing blog!

  20. May I just say what a relief to uncover a person that really knows what
    they are discussing online. You actually realize how to bring
    a problem to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story.
    It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely
    possess the gift.

  21. Hello there, I found your blog by means of Google even as looking for a comparable
    topic, your site got here up, it appears good. I’ve
    bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, simply become alert to your weblog thru Google,
    and found that it’s really informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you happen to continue
    this in future. A lot of other people will be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  22. Important review. If you need to have fun with gambling internet, please visit my web-site since
    there is many games. Just for Indonesia, this valuable game is
    referred to as judi online terpercaya.

  23. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied
    on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about,
    why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  24. Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone
    3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to
    all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

  25. Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established
    blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.
    I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where
    to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Appreciate it

  26. The examination is exceedingly interesting. If you need which
    might be played out situs slot gacor, I recommend playing in dependable slot
    websites on the net. Since you can get big results every one of the incentives and get
    particular affiliate marketer payouts. When you need to try out,
    you can immediately click here00 underneath. The hyperlink is really a port site that is commonly used amongst Indonesian online players.

  27. I got this web page from my pal who shared with me concerning
    this website and at the moment this time I am visiting this website and reading
    very informative articles or reviews here.

  28. The assessment is very interesting. If you wish to master slot, Least
    expensive participating in about dependable situs slot
    gacor websites on-line. As possible obtain big results all the advantages and acquire certain affiliate marketer payouts.
    If you require to try out, you possibly can immediately follow the hyperlink
    in this article. The hyperlink can be defined as slot
    machine game video game web site that will be often used between Indonesia
    member.

  29. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if
    all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  30. First of all I want to say fantastic blog! I
    had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.
    I’ve had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas
    out. I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems
    like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just trying to figure out how
    to begin. Any ideas or hints? Cheers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *