History of the United Arab Emirates

The history of the United Arab Emirates traces the communities and emirates that preceded the 1971 federation, its British treaty relationships, oil-driven transformation, and subsequent political development.

Trucial States: The sheikhdoms on the southern Persian Gulf coast bound to Britain by successive treaties from the nineteenth century until 1971. These treaty-bound sheikhdoms became the political units that formed the federation.
Formation of the United Arab Emirates: The political process through which six emirates established a federation on 2 December 1971, followed by Ras Al Khaimah in 1972. This founding process converted separate treaty sheikhdoms into one state.
Oil in the United Arab Emirates: Petroleum resources discovered in the emirates during the twentieth century and developed into a major source of public revenue. Oil income financed rapid state-building and reshaped society after federation.
Federation of Arab Emirates: A proposed union of the emirates and Bahrain after Britain announced its withdrawal from the Gulf, which did not take lasting form. Its failure helps explain why the UAE emerged as a smaller federation.
Pearl diving in the Persian Gulf: A coastal industry in which divers harvested natural pearls from the Persian Gulf seabed. Pearling sustained communities and trade before oil transformed the emirates.
British withdrawal from east of Suez: Britain’s decision to end its military commitments east of the Suez Canal, announced in 1968 and implemented over subsequent years. The announced withdrawal prompted Gulf rulers to negotiate a new political arrangement.
Discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi: The 1958 discovery of commercial oil in Abu Dhabi, followed by the first export in 1962. Abu Dhabi’s oil income strengthened the resources available for federation and development.
Bahrain: An island kingdom in the Persian Gulf that became independent in 1971 rather than joining the proposed Gulf federation. Bahrain’s separate independence marked a key divergence from the UAE’s formation.
British residency in the Persian Gulf: The British political administration that managed relations with Gulf rulers and protected British interests in the region. British officials negotiated the treaties that defined the Trucial States’ external relations.
Constitution of the United Arab Emirates: The constitution establishing the UAE’s federal institutions, powers, and relationship between the federation and its emirates. It formalized the political settlement reached at federation.

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