This Week's Historical Theme: The Middle East
21 December 1971
A significant event throughout the history of the Middle East that occurred in December was the formation of the United Arab Emirates. This created a small state with the union of six small Gulf kingdoms, to which a seventh was soon added, that had an outsized role in the global economy. Since this, the sovereign nation has enjoyed the profits of its natural resources, including its reserves of oil and natural gas. Its wealth has turned the Emirates into a major hub of trade, travel, tourism, and finance. The tallest structure in the world, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, is also emblematic of the Emirates' construction boom and rise to global prominence.
The kingdoms on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula had been under British protection in the 1820s, which allowed for the discovery of the region's vast oil reserves. This led to the decrease of the British Empire's influence, as the kingdoms became major suppliers of oil. Therefore, in 1968, the British government declared their withdrawal, leaving the people of the region to their own devices. As they were dwarfed by their neighbours in terms of size, population, and military, the kingdoms attempted to organise themselves into one political unit. Although the negotiations proved difficult, the United Arab Emirates was formed, including the kingdoms of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai and Umm al-Quwain. Two months later, Ras al-Khaimah joined.
Want to find out more about the creation of the United Arab Emirates? Click here for more information, or here for a wider history of the UAE.
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