Book

Kuwait in the time of British Empire : time of treaty 1899-1961, time of oil 1913-1976

Khajah, Muhsen, author

Overview

\"The prospect of a rail network from Berlin to the Gulf's shores built and operated by the Germans became a source of anxiety and political expediency for the British government. It intimidated them into signing a secret treaty in 1899 with the Sheik of Kuwait that lasted until 1961. The handwritten Treaty served both sides well; Kuwait survived as an entity and gave the British an edge in their protracted negotiations with the Germans, ultimately led to demise of one of most ambitious European projects, the Berlin-Bagdad Rail. The book covers two parallel and interrelated narratives: Kuwait's political and social history during the years of British quasi-protectorate and the story of Kuwait's oil from the first visit of the British oil specialties in 1913 to the early nationalization in 1976. The promise of immense wealth, once oil was struck, catalyzed the rivalry between the social and economic elements of the country and perhaps contributed to the breakout of the 1938-1939 disturbances. Britain's exclusive rights to Kuwait's oil fields bred a sense of complacency in their drive to secure an all-British oil concession ultimately was shared with the Americans after protracted political wrangling that involved Washington and London laced with its share of intrigue. The discovery of oil transformed the country in a single decade from rags to riches, but in the absence of financial discipline, the 1950s was infused with its share of corruption. In 1953, the Sheik accepted the British suggestion to form the first-ever global sovereign wealth to manage the growing surplus. The significance of Kuwait's sterling investment was described by the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, as \"the key to the economic life of Britain and of Europe\"\"--Page [4] of cover.

• Publisher: [Muhsen Khajah]
• Subject: 1900-1999 / Petroleum industry and trade Kuwait. / Pétrole Industrie et commerce Koweït. / Diplomatic relations. / Petroleum industry and trade. / Kuwait History 20th century. / Kuwait Foreign relations Great Britain. / Great Britain Foreign relations Kuwait. / Koweït Histoire 20e siècle. / Grande-Bretagne Relations extérieures Koweït. / Great Britain. / Kuwait.
• ISBN: 9798711568360

Item info:

1 item available

1 item total in all locations

Holdings :

Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
DS247.K88 K43 2021	1	BOOK	GENERAL