United Emirates

The United Emirates of the Persian Gulf are an important nation in the Middle East.

Early history
The Gulf region was first converted to Islam in the 630's. Remaining largely independent they were, only in the 16th century, taken over by a major power: Portugal. Then, portions of the nation came under the direct influence of the Ottoman Empire. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement. Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the UK with other Persian Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack.

WWII
During WWII many men in the region went to fight for the British, mainly in Egypt.

Independence
Following WWII there were talks of independence and unification but nothing concrete was achieved until 1953-54, when meetings at Doha and Muscat got concrete results. On April 17, 1955 the United Emirates of the Persian Gulf were proclaimed; A prince from Abu Dhabi and his wife were elected King and Queen.

Early problems
While the monarchs were intent on liberalizing the country there were still many conservatives.