Bahrain
Until relatively recently, the history of Bahrain was one of colonial domination. Annexed in the 4th century CE by the Persian Sassanid Empire and conquered in the 8th century by the Abbassids, who began a process of Islamization, Bahrain became in the early sixteenth century a major trading centre under the Portuguese, who were in turn driven out by the Persians in 1602. The period 1783 to 1820 saw a brief interlude of independence, after the al-Khalifa family evicted their colonial masters. In 1820, as a result of pressure from Britain, a treaty was signed between the two countries. This was followed by a second in 1861, which institutionalized Bahrain’s status as a British protectorate.
Oil was discovered in 1931, after which followed a period of national assertion. Bahrain later joined the neighbouring Trucial States and Qatar in the Federation of Arab Emirates. When in 1971 Bahrain was granted independence, its rulers chose not to join the United Arab Emirates. Although a constitution was adopted in 1973, the newly elected National Assembly was dissolved by the al-Khalifas in 1975, accused by them of obstructing government.
The 1979 Iranian revolution was a catalyst for mobilization of the repressed Shi’a majority against the Sunni ruling class, since when the political climate has been one of unrest. In 1986 a causeway between the island and the Saudi mainland was completed, increasing both the already strong influence of Saudi Arabia on Bahraini policy and the influx of Saudi tourists, who take advantage of Bahrain’s less restrictive social environment. Along its their Saudi neighbours, Bahrain participated in the US-led coalition against Saddam after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
As in Saudi Arabia, the period following the war saw a rise in political and religious opposition, prompting the government to appoint a Consultative Council in place of the dissolved assembly. Reforms fell well short of protesters' demands, however, and dissidence continued, buoyed by the new power of Iraqi Shia after the fall of Saddam.
