Unit 3 Lesson 3: Constitutional Monarchies

Unit 3

Lesson 3: Constitutional Monarchies

Lesson target:

Constitutional monarchies such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain

Lesson Objectives:

1) identify the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain as constitutional monarchies

2) identify some characteristics of those countries and their leaders

 

1. What might a constitutional monarchy be?

(Possible answer: It is a monarchy ruled by a king with the help of a parliament).

2. Can you think of two examples of Arab constitutional monarchies?

(Possible answers: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, United Arab Emirates)

 

Arab countries are constitutional monarchies. A king rules them with the help of parliament (group of representatives elected by the people of the country).

The United Arab Emirates is one of the major constitutional monarchies among the Arab countries. It is made up of seven emirates united together, hence the name.

UAE had a strategic location during the early civilizations because of the copper trade (the act of buying and selling).

 

Back in the old times, many troops (a group of soldiers controlled by their leader) occupied (lived in and ruled) the area such as the British troops, the Ottomans, and the Portuguese troops. During those days, UAE was booming with the industry (manufacturing or production of) of pearling (diving into the ocean in search for pearls).

In the year 1971, the constitution was structured, and the seven emirates united together forming the country we know today as UAE (The United Arab Emirates). Ras al-Khaimah was the last emirate to join in.

 

Copper is a red-brown metal. It is a flexible metal and a very good conductor of heat and electricity and is used especially for electrical wiring.

The Seven United Arab Emirates are: Abu Dabhi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al- Quwain, and Ras al-Khaimah. Abu Dabhi is the capital city of UAE. The seven emirates are called as such because they are all ruled by emirs (princes).

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan became Prince of Dubai, and Burj Khalifa was named after him.

-Kuwait is another constitutional monarchy in the Arab world. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Kuwait dates back to the Mesopotamian Era, and its trade paths were formed at that time. Kuwaitis traded wood, horses, and pearls. They dug out pearls from the Arabian Gulf and sold them to other countries in the region.

 

Mesopotamia is the area of the Tigris–Euphrates rivers matching up to Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran nowadays. It literally means "The Land between rivers". The neighboring grasslands to the west of the Euphrates are also sometimes included as part of Mesopotamia.

Kuwait was founded by a tribe called the “Anizah or Bani Utbah tribe” in the 18th century.

Sheikh Abd Rahim al-Sabah was the first of the al-Sabah’s to rule over Kuwait. His descendants still rule Kuwait up till date. Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah rules Kuwait nowadays.

Modern Kuwait was invaded by two countries: the first invasion was led by Iran and the second one led by Iraq.

During Sheikh Sabah’s reign, a very important law, which is related to the freedom of the press, was issued. The law is considered the strongest in the Arab world.

 

Freedom of the press is when journalists have the freedom of communicating and expressing thoughts related to different political and social issues in the country.

 

Bahrain is another constitutional monarchy. Al Khalifa family rules it. Bahrain became independent from the British control in the year 1971.

Bahrain is one of the wealthy Arab countries in oil. However, it is expected to dry up first among all other Arab producing oil countries.

In the past, Bahrain which means the “two seas” was ruled by the Persians and Portuguese. (Bahrain is the smallest Arab country).

 

Text book Page  68

Exercise 1: 

Define the term “constitutional monarchy”.

It is a country ruled by a king or queen. It also follows a constitution of its own.

Exercise 2: 

Answer the questions below.

1. What were the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait famous for in the past? Name 1 example for each country.

UAE was famous in the trade of copper and pearling. / Kuwait’s trade was based on wood, horses, pearls.

2. What was Burj Khalifa previously known as? Why did they change its name?

Burj Khalifa was previously known as Burj Dubai. It was given the name we know of today in honor of Sheikh Khalifa.

3. What resource should Bahrainis worry about in the future? Why?

Oil/ because Bahrain is expected to be the first amongst the other oil producing Arab countries to dry up.