الدبلوماسية الفرنسية و الكويت في النصف الثاني من القرن التاسع عشر 1866-1900 : قراءة في وثائق الأرشيف الفرنسي

Abstract EN

This study discusses the Kuwaiti French relations in the period between 1866 1900, a period that was pregnant with events and conflicts between the different colonizing powers, most notably Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia, by reviewing four French documents.

the study mainly aims at shedding light on the political and social aspects of Kuwait in such a period of time, and at offering a perspective that is different from that embraced by other parties (.e.

the british documents).

the study attempts to raise multiple questions, on top of which is to gauge the depth of influence these Kuwaiti French relations exerted.

Did these relations have any impact on the formation of the political structure in Kuwait? to what extent did Individual personal agenda of French diplomats and officials play a part in facilitating these lines of communication between Kuwaiti and French diplomats? Did Kuwait and France succeed in creating a respectful mutual relationship despite the daunting hegemony of the British and the retreat of French militia from the Gulf? Do these French documents reveal any conflicts between Britain and France regarding administering influence over Kuwait? lastly, did these documents have any impact on the natural role of the Kuwaiti society and its texture and values in determining what works in its interest on a political level? the study adopts the historical analytic method, and it starts by giving an overview on the nature of French Kuwaiti relations, then it moves on to analyze the four French documents.

in selecting the documents needed here, it has been taken into consideration the independent nature of Kuwait's relationship with the Ottomans as well as Britain.

In the second part, the study provides further analysis for a certain specific document, after the signing of the Kuwaiti-British treaty.

in conclusion, the study has shown that the history of Kuwaiti relations is connected to international powers in general and to the conflicts and events that the Gulf region saw in particular.

the Sheikh of Kuwait or whoever represents him was the political and military leader of Kuwait- as evidenced by these documents.

the study also has revealed that Kuwait was independent of the Ottoman rule.