About Kuwait >
History >
Timeline
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History
Independence
Iraqi Invasion |
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A
Chronology of Key Events |
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History |
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1600s |
Northeast portion of Arabian peninsula becomes part of
the Turkish Ottoman empire. |
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1700s |
Settlers arrive at the site of present-day Kuwait City
from the interior of the Arabian peninsula. The
settlement grows into a bustling trading hub by the
early 1800s. |
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1756 |
Kuwait comes under the control of the Al-Sabah family,
predecessors of Kuwait's present rulers. A degree of
semi-autonomy from Ottoman Turkey prevails. |
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1899 |
Fearing direct rule from Turkey, Sheikh Mubarak "the
Great" strikes a deal with Britain and Kuwait becomes a
protectorate. Britain provides naval protection in
return for Kuwait allowing London to control its foreign
affairs. |
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1937 |
Large oil reserves discovered by the US-British Kuwait
Oil Company. Exploitation is delayed by World War II,
but thereafter fuels the country's development into a
modern commercial centre. |
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1951 |
Major public-works programme begins; Kuwait's
infrastructure is transformed, residents enjoy a high
standard of living. |
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Independence |
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1961 |
Kuwait becomes independent with the end of the British
protectorate; the sheikh becomes an emir. The country
joins the Arab League. Iraq renews claims that Kuwait is
part of its territory but backs down after British
military intervention. |
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1963 |
Elections held for National Assembly, under terms of
newly-drafted constitution. |
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1976
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Emir suspends National Assembly, saying it is not acting
in the country's interests. |
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1980
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Iran-Iraq war: Kuwait supports Iraq strategically and
financially. |
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1981
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National Assembly recalled; dissolved again in 1986.
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1985 - 86
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Domestic security concerns, particularly about Iran's
perceived influence over the Shi'ite minority, prompt
the deportations of thousands of expatriates, many of
them Iranian. |
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1990 |
Iraq complains to OPEC, accusing Kuwait of stealing its
oil from a field near the border. Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein threatens military action. |
