Qatar has is its strategic location. Because it
is in the Central Persian Gulf it is near many of the major petroleum
deposits. Qatar has been inhabited for many years and in 1940 a very high-
quality oil was discovered there (Qatar, 2004). This was found on the
western side of the Peninsula but due to World War II, the removal of this
oil and exporting it to other countries was delayed (Qatar, 2004). This
exportation did not begin until 1949 (Qatar, 2004). Oil reserves began to
increase in the 1950s and 1960s and have brought a great deal of prosperity
to Qatar (Qatar, 2004). Because of this, there was rapid immigration and a
great deal of social progress that helped to foster the beginnings of the
modern history of Qatar (Qatar, 2004).
In 1968, the United Kingdom announced a policy that ended the treaty
relationships that it had with many of the Gulf sheikdoms (Qatar, 2004).
Because of this, Qatar joined 8 states that fell under the protection of
the British (Qatar, 2004). This was designed to form a union of Arab
Emirates (Qatar, 2004). However, by the middle of 1971 Qatar and the eight
other states had not been able to agree on many of the terms of the union
and the end of 1971 was the termination date for the British treaty
relationship (Qatar, 2004). Instead of continuing to attempt to reach an
agreement, Qatar instead sought its independence (Qatar, 2004). It was
declared a separate entity on September 3rd of 1971 and became the fully
independent State of Qatar (Qatar, 2004).
In 1972 the balance of power shifted slightly, although this was done
without political unrest or violence of any kind (Quandt, 10). This led to
a provisional Constitution that was enacted on the 19th of April of that
same year (Qatar, 2004). During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the economy
of Qatar begin to struggle (Qatar, 2004). Much of this had to do with the
siphoning off with many of the petr...