Why Does Qatar Exist? | House Al-Thani and the British Empire

Why does the tiny and incredibly wealthy State of Qatar exist? The Al-Thani, the royal family of Qatar, have worked to consolidate power in the peninsula for well over a hundred years. Through clever policies and timely alliances (most impactfully with the British Empire), as well as several conflicts with neighbouring Bahrain and other Qatari clans, they built modern Qatar.
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Sources Consulted:
Frohmerz, Allen James. Qatar: A Modern History. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2017.
Miller, Stuart T. Mastering Modern European History. London: Macmillan Education LTD, 1990.

[@ah8893]

Hearing a brit say that they were “protecting” their colonies is probably the most British thing I’ve heard all my life

[@TheLocalLt]

Well Qatar was a British protectorate not a crown colony, so Britain’s main role was to supply a garrison and/or provide officers for the emir’s troops, while also directing the country’s foreign policy. Becoming a protectorate was oftentimes a more favorable arrangement to a local ruler than remaining independent and potentially being vulnerable to full colonization (and thus possible deposition) by another power.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

A surprisingly large amount of the British Empire was made up of 'protectorates"; ie, countries with their own rulers, who had to acknowledge British sovereignty, and let the British take care of defence and foreign affairs. Crown Colonies (ie, actual colonies, literal British territory) made up a perhaps surprisingly smaller amount than one might expect-about 40% to a half.

[@rashiidabdallah1648]

@@TheLocalLt they colonised Qatar and did not protect. You westerners white-wash history

[@rashiidabdallah1648]

@@jonathanwebster7091 in other words colonising a country then saying they were told to recognise. More like white-washed historys and not saying the truth that it was brit that colonised Qatar. Hypocrite European folks.

[@jonathanwebster7091]

@@rashiidabdallah1648 not exactly. It was more economic and practical to leave the native rulers in place, and simply rule through them, at least as a short-term solution. Divide and rule and all that. You pacify the elites by giving them a (subservient) position in power, so you can better rule everyone else. The Princely States is another example of where this policy worked hand in hand with the parts of India that were ruled directly. That doesn't excuse it (nor am I trying to), It was simply less hassle, less bureaucracy, less paperwork, less money expended, more efficient, and less manpower required in terms of armed forces, civil servants and administration to rule through local rulers than directly. Was it bad? Absolutely. And in a lot (but not all, this didn't happen in the Arab states, nor did it in the Malay ones) of examples, for example in what became Zimbabwe and Zambia, protectorates (non-direct rule) were established, and then actual colonies (ie, places where British people were actually settled) were put up in their place. In practice, most of the British Empire was run with a bit of both: to give just three examples; in Nigeria, the southern part was a colony (meaning it was settled by British people), the north was a protectorate (meaning the British ruled through local rulers). Gambia, where only the capital Banjul was a colony-the interior was again, ruled through local rulers. Aden (now the southern part of Yemen) was similar: again, only Aden and the immediate hinterland was a crown colony, the rest was governed through local Sultans. I absolutely think this was a cynical, though at the same time practical way of ruling territories, and I absolutely think that, had the British Empire actually lasted, most, if not all, of the protectorates would have have been converted to colonies eventually.

[@mikedrewson5545]

You should do more videos about why countries exist.

[@LookBackHistory]

I plan to!

[@joshuataylor3550]

@@LookBackHistory Nationalism is evil.

[@homeusa1344]

Yes. Why the hell does Britain exist to this day?

[@homeusa1344]

Yes. Why the hell does Britain exist to this day?

[@homeusa1344]

Yes. Why the hell does Britain exist to this day?

[@ThePussukka]

Quality content once again, bravo

[@undolf4097]

This guy is always asking the questions I didn’t know I had

[@samdaman2939]

Amazing video as always! I would love more videos on explaining why countries exist

[@dennisenright7725]

I just discovered your channel today when the KZbin algorithms brought up one of your older videos. I have already watched a dozen and I just subscribed. Concise and insightful while being entertaining. One question though do you pay attention to comments on older threads? I had posted a question on your video about new York not being a capital.

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

Thanks for the info. 😀

[@scottnorris7052]

I ask myself this everyday

[@tommyhardarsson2432]

Look Back History pronuncing Qatar be like, "cutter"

[@CSquared11]

I feel like this video could have been summed up to “shell” lol. Very good video though, I had always found it weird that just one small peninsula managed to remain independent of Saudi Arabia.

[@micahistory]

very interesting, I never knew the history of this country

[@zayedbinimran957]

Very nice first Can you do a video on bahrain

[@albert6970]

Can you do a video why Bhutan exists

[@gustavosauro1882]

From my understanding: not worth the effort of conquering + it serves as buffer for India and China

[@nope2dat]

Why do ordinary Qataris feel a sense of Qatari identity? Surely they should just feel like Arabs who’ve been denied the chance to unite with fellow Arabs by the Al-Thani’s disagreements with other Arab rulers

[@mazenal4787]

Yeah sure Qataris always had the sense to unite with others “Arabs” like for example Egypt in the 1700s or before right ? Most Arabs in the peninsula for example during the last 1000 year have not met anyone outside 100 km radios, this notion of “Arab” unity is manufactured one during the 1950s , Matter of fact Qataris of different Tribes weren’t United until the last 90 years why would you think that they can be United with random people thousands of miles away ?

[@ProudlyQatari..]

@nope2dat Al-Thani’s disagreements with other arab rulers?? They started in the first place by accusing us of supporting terrorism and literally sent a list of 13 things Qatar has to do or else they will blockade us. U mean we were supposed to give in and let Saudi tell us what do again like the old days just bc Al-Thani is originally from Saudi? We stood our ground and came back stronger and WAY richer than Saudi and the blockading countries. 👑 🇶🇦 I didnt actually understand ur comment well sorry if this wasnt what u said-

[@AbdikarimMohamed-fh8jo]

Not 1950s it was 1900 in the levant and egypt to unite arabs but it was not popular in arabian penisular​@mazenal4787

[@PrimeMinisterAlfredo]

oil is great, but being second is better.

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

Nice

[@jalghazi]

greatly informative vid as always ! I think u could go wild with one in a similar vein on any of the Levantine or Mesopotamian states, so much interesting history in the middle east that remains largely glossed over cuz of decades of *insert conflict* and the unshakeable orientalism of a lot of westerners

[@LookBackHistory]

I do like Middle-East history.

[@shaydailly]

On the thumbnail, the Union Jack is upside-down.

[@YourrandomComrade]

Honestly I just watched this video becuase I like learning about the British empire

[@shivanshna7618]

Can you please do why Kurdistan doesn't exist? I know basics but a deeper dive be appreciated.

[@LookBackHistory]

Good idea, maybe!

[@polyhistorphilomath]

Just one complaint. I can't put my finger on it, but something's wrong with your maps of Michigan.

[@lucianoosorio5942]

Arab Money by Busta Rhymes intensifies.

[@zainmudassir2964]

Hope you make vid on end of British rule in India.

[@revinhatol]

What are the other royal houses of Qatar?

[@achourfreepalestine]

Could you please do a video about Algeria 🇩🇿

[@LookBackHistory]

Definitely an interesting country, so maybe!

[@achourfreepalestine]

@@LookBackHistory thanks man keep up the good work

[@jellybomb_2674]

Where did you get this information from ?

[@jellybomb_2674]

Because I was trying to find more information about the Qatari Bahraini war but couldn’t find any information on KZbin or Google just here with you, keeps turning up when I search about this topic pacifically the war

[@jellybomb_2674]

If you can give me your source I’ll be grateful. ( and if it’s not too much. Can I have the map and or the Maps, if you used multiple you paste this video on) please respond ✨Thank you.✨

[@LookBackHistory]

Good question! I generally post my sources in the video's description. Most of the information in this one came from Qatar: A Modern History by Allen J. Fromherz. Here it is on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Qatar-Modern-History-Fromherz/dp/1589019105

[@jellybomb_2674]

@@LookBackHistory Thanks for clarifying but is your sources only books or did you read anything online?

[@jellybomb_2674]

Yeah, and I’m sorry for bothering you but I am used to sources being links to online articles and or online videos

[@snowytm.]

Saudi-Arabians ask themselves this question every day.

[@rezaaparsa]

What a proud history for a country :)

[@amjedabdu4238]

😂

[@bee-fs3vb]

Suggestion: why do nepal/bhutan exist?

[@justinarzola4584]

Why shouldn't they exist?

[@theskycavedin9592]

It's interesting how much protecting the $$$ coming in from international trade forced empires like Britain to create states around the world that would keep order in a particular region as a service to that end.

[@User-qz2wz]

do a why does UAE exists

[@alfahad91]

Excellent video really enjoyed it but I have two comments: 1. Hakim/ruler in Arabic is pronounced ‘haakem’ not ‘hakeem’. In Arabic ‘Hakeem’ means wise, whereas ‘haakem’ means ruler. 2. Qatar did have land borders with two states, Saudi and also UAE. Then Saudi signed an agreement with UAE which meant that Qatar is now surrounded by Saudi Arabia.

[@GreoGreo]

He's a donut i know

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

How did these families be able to rule these nations and why are the citizens loyal to them?

[@nuur1-xr6qk]

If you give glory,education and without tax people will be loyal to you

[@datcat7293]

0:47 So A Royale Navy Spotted Qatar In Getting Saudia

[@italiaman]

Arcor helado 👍

[@enbininja]

2:27

[@YourrandomComrade]

So much land!

[@pandahugs2271]

Now make a video about bahrain history

[@LookBackHistory]

Maybe!

[@Dracovenatrix]

Its pronounced guitar basically

[@save_sudan_and_palestine]

It's pronounced Qatar.

[@Dracovenatrix]

@@save_sudan_and_palestine nobody pronounces it qaqtar

[@save_sudan_and_palestine]

@@Dracovenatrix I pronounce it Qatar, and it's the "indonym" pronunciation in Arabic.

[@thecaspeer]

cutter

[@luffy101311]

This vid is hella informative, the American announcer putting on a British accent while reading the script is so adorable lol

[@LookBackHistory]

Lol. I'm a dual British-US citizen, that's how I talk. Thanks though!

[@luffy101311]

@@LookBackHistory Damn, bro got the same origin story as Andrew Tate, no wonder he sounds like that lol

[@LookBackHistory]

@@luffy101311 Nearly, he's an American who moved to the UK. I'm the opposite.

[@Mohammed24862]

I like the titles of this series. Its like 'this country exists. How dare they!' 😬

[@Spammul]

Honestly while Saudi Arabia isn't the most beloved country there history is really interesting

[@beingedgy]

Qatar🇶🇦💜 My favourite place on earth🌏💜

[@RelaxingMusic22073]

Who is watching this on the opening ceremony day of ASIA CUP QATAR 2023?

[@822437]

Desert savages

[@mikesands4681]

Work on those th pronunciation

[@Genghis265]

He said smallest country in the world ☠️

[@homeusa1344]

Why are you hiding the fact that Bahrain itself was an Iranian province until 1972? Some consider Bahrain still an Iranian province that was separated by a manipulated referendum against the will of the Bahraini people.

[@MCorpReview]

Wow kjhalifa of burj khalifa

[@TheBlueTheMan]

Please set up a Patreon I’d love to support your channel

[@qataribananahamock1495]

Why does Britain exist?

[@LookBackHistory]

Done that video, check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6e5dXWmaZKjjZI

[@TheMasonK]

Is it pronounced Cuh-Ter? I’ve heard it pronounced Cuh-Tar as well. Anyone know for sure?

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

There are a few different ways to pronounce the word Qatar. The second pronunciation in your comment is probably the commonest one. :)

[@TheMasonK]

@@flawyerlawyertv7454 I was kinda hoping for someone from Qatar to clear it up for me. What we’re calling it either way is probably an exonym.

[@Crimsrn]

it's pronounced cutter in american english for some reason, but in british english it's pronounced cataar. not sure about other english variations

[@AmogusTrollaccount]

In arabic it is katar In qatari accent it is gitar.

[@edenromanov]

Man Muslim history is always a treat to learn about, just as complicated and blood thirsty as Europe but tinged with a lot more of that old Medieval flare that Europe no longer has.

[@eminderindeniz1959]

That’s unique to arabs (talkin for 19th-20th span) as they werent developped.

[@hakunamatata3935]

Not all Muslims are Arabs. Arab tribal warfare has nothing to do with Muslims.

[@save_sudan_and_palestine]

Modern history, maybe! because they stopped to judge themselves with Islam, but before, Muslim history was much stable.

[@rashiidabdallah1648]

@@eminderindeniz1959 you Europeans learned everything that you have from Muslims

[@eminderindeniz1959]

@@rashiidabdallah1648 After the mongol invasion the develloped regions were ruled by other nations and the only quasi independant ones were these underdevelopped tribes.

[@DavidGS66]

I wonder what's wrong with an Arab Bismarck uniting the Arabian Peninsula & sharing the oil wealth; however, 1st the British & today the USA prevent it.

[@LookBackHistory]

From the perspective of Britain, it was a matter of divide and rule. As for an Arab Bismarck, well that could certainly have brought about the unification of Arabia, but when it comes to sharing oil wealth... well, Bismarck wasn't really known for sharing.

[@Zaabi]

This video ignored the second battle of doha, the betrayal of al Thani and the rebellion against Abu Dhabi

[@naylakh1]

I'm so interested how did the Althani backstab the Alkhalifa?

[@JunaidAhmed-uu8kt]

Question should be Why Israel exists rather than Qatar

[@200555280]

Bingo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ He cant make that, antisemitism accusation is ready to be thrown at him.

[@abdulr3186]

Should ask the same for Israel

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

Wait until they run short of all that oil and natural gas and see what's going to happen.

[@ashtree7213]

3:18 incorrect map used. You say 'Britain' and show Ireland in red along with Great Britain. Ireland was never part of Britain. Britain is England & Wales. Great Britain is England, Wales & Scotland. Ireland was part of the UK (1801- 1922) - as in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland - but gained it's independence over 100 years ago so it is now the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[@LookBackHistory]

Britain is here being used as short-hand for the British Empire, which most certainly included Ireland (first as a nominally independent kingdom, and then as, you point out, as an integral part of the UK between 1801 and 1922). This video is set within that timeframe so your objection strikes me as a bit odd.

[@ashtree7213]

Britain and the British Empire are not actually synonymous however, so using one as shorthand for the other strikes not only as a little odd but factually incorrect which is what my point is. The attention is in the detail.

[@LookBackHistory]

Of course they're not synonymous... today, when the British Empire no longer exists. It is not factually incorrect to use them interchangeably when discussing history because there was never a formal entity known actually known as the "British Empire." It is simply a catch-all term used both in British historiography, and by individuals who lived during it, to refer to the territories around the world once controlled or otherwise subject from/to London. Whether it's odd or not to use them synonymously is subjective. I don't think so, you're entitled to disagree.

[@richardhorrocks1460]

@@LookBackHistory Going forwards, I would recommend not reply like this. It looks unprofessional.

[@exelenxius5832]

@@richardhorrocks1460 Why would defending your point makes you unprofessional

[@duckbizniz663]

The British are masters at manipulating international diplomacy to their advantage. The British with their world class navy were able to exert their influence all over the world. Using the tried and true European strategy of divide and conquer the British enabled a bunch of tribal clans on the Arabian Peninsula to exist. The usefulness of fossil fuel has given these tiny tribal nations a chance to exist to this day. British double dealings seem to have shaped international politics of the Middle East.

[@achourfreepalestine]

long live qatar

[@AD-en5dq]

Until I don't want it anymore I'll agree

[@achourfreepalestine]

@@AD-en5dq wait what

[@AmogusTrollaccount]

As a Qatari i can see it ending. No country stood forever dude.

[@achourfreepalestine]

@@AmogusTrollaccount bro what ?

[@AmogusTrollaccount]

@@achourfreepalestine well the ussr fell, ottomans fell It all has a bad leader to end it. I am saying probably the next leaders will ruin Qatar. You never know how will it get occupied or split.

[@themasteredbeast8878]

african denmark

[@m.dthedemon4076]

It's Asian not African

[@ssdoome]

UAE didn’t exists back then it was called north of oman so do Bahrain they were all under oman

[@enbininja]

It's Qatar not kutar

[@AD-en5dq]

Says you 😝

[@flawyerlawyertv7454]

There are a few different ways to pronounce the word Qatar. It depends where you live and what accent you are used to.

[@AD-en5dq]

@@flawyerlawyertv7454 yeah but it's still the same word and it's meaning didn't change Qatar is Qatar incredibles meme

[@GreoGreo]

@@flawyerlawyertv7454 No you're wrong. It's pronounced Qatar not other ways you donkey

[@ercanylmaz967]

Why not!!

[@gara7208]

I have a suggestion. Why Kurdistan does not exist?

[@tracklift]

Next video ,why England should not exist...

[@Crimsrn]

someone's jealous they never had a great empire.

[@-Teca-]

Ofc the bri ish “person” says that the Bri ish Empire “protected” their colonies🙄😒

[@LookBackHistory]

The British Empire did plenty of reprehensible things to colonies around the world, but it didn't colonise the gulf states.

[@Crimsrn]

ofc the anti-anglo person refuses to admit the empire did any good.

[@attaueiehehdhsjwksodndhh4980]

@@Crimsrn coming from a Qatari here I would say that Britain definitely brought many good things to Qatar it’s one of the reasons why we modernised ourselves but do you have to admit that the Empire did some atrocious and appalling things to other colonies around the world, but other than that I think the British Empire is one of the coolest

[@Mohammad-ksa]

Why does usa exist?

[@Erfanh1995]

It is important to note that Qatar and Bahrain belonged to Persia/Iran which didn't have a strong navy to defend them against British ships. Therefore, Britain first seized these lands and later separated them in the age of anticolonialism by supporting the local Sheiks and Emirs. Bahrain for instance was still officially a part of Iran until 1970. That is why the Anglo-Persian company was operating there btw. From the Iranian point of view, those lands were provinces of Iran even though Britain was practically in charge of them.

[@rashiidabdallah1648]

Qatar and bahrain never belonged to Iran

[@Erfanh1995]

@@rashiidabdallah1648 go read your history books. Bahrain was part of Iran during the Zand dynasty. During Qajars it was occupied by the brits and was never given back. Qatar together with UAE were a part of Iran during the Afsharid dynasty and were separated by Britain after the collapse of Afsharid rule (around 1700).

[@mbn9672]

@@Erfanh1995 why would we Qatari's want to be ruled by Shia Iranians, we're good thanks.

[@Erfanh1995]

@@mbn9672 I did not claim that. I said you were part of Iran which is correct. Bahrain even had a seat in the Iranian House of Representatives before officially parting ways. But apparently, you are too busy with religion that you didn't have time to read the history.

[@Zaabi]

Yea no- the “Qatar” state was and is a rebelling provenance of Abu Dhabi

[@abdulrahmanabdulaziz8742]

😂😂😂

[@GermanicWorldOrder]

I have been asking this ever since of their treatment of LGBT community

[@teriblesoldiertv2108]

you werent even born when homophobia was first expressed.

[@GermanicWorldOrder]

@@teriblesoldiertv2108 My previous soul does

[@tekinet7958]

With how they treat the LGBT community I became more supportive towards the country

[@ibnebadr367]

who are u to say such things and promote hate and lawlessness in other countries. U don’t go to other cultures and insult their believes. If u feel mistreated then fk off

[@GermanicWorldOrder]

@@tekinet7958 Don't worry, I will help to bless your country with Freedom and Democracy🦅🇺🇸

[@Lawrence-mh8dx]

first

[@achourfreepalestine]

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