Answer :
Final answer:
Western nations became interested in Saudi Arabia mainly due to the discovery of vast oil reserves in the 1930s. This discovery led to significant economic partnerships, particularly with American oil companies. As a result, oil transformed the nation’s global standing and facilitated modernization efforts.
Explanation:
Interest of Western Nations in Saudi Arabia
Western nations, particularly the United States, became significantly interested in Saudi Arabia in the early 20th century primarily due to the discovery of vast oil reserves on the Arabian peninsula. This was particularly evident in 1933 when large deposits of oil were found in eastern Arabia. The kingdom's leader at the time, Ibn Saud, chose to partner with American oil companies, which solidified Western investment and involvement in the region.
Prior to the oil discovery, Saudi Arabia was viewed as a region of limited strategic value; however, the immense wealth generated from oil transformed it into a focal point for Western economic interests. Consequently, the international interest was not driven primarily by Saudi Arabia abandoning Islamic law or establishing European-style courts, but rather by the wealth tied to oil, which brought modernization and capital into the region. The presence of oil fundamentally reshaped the relationship of Saudi Arabia with Western nations, thereby reinforcing the monarchy and enabling the royal family to maintain significant power.
Key Points
- Oil discovery in 1933 drew American investments.
- Control over substantial oil reserves made Saudi Arabia strategically important.
- Western nations engaged primarily for economic reasons, particularly oil.
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