King Saud's Reign
Emergence of extremely wealthy class
Royal family
Powerful allied tribal leaders
"[King Saud] used... a policy not really of trying to develop the country for fear that it would lead to a growing middle class, and increasing political demands, and possibly pressure for change" (Malik Mufti, Tufts University)
The Dhahran Air Base Lease
The Dhahran Air Base Lease
1957 (Cold War): President Eisenhower renewed lease on Dhahran Air Base
King Saud spent money from lease on a luxury trip to Europe
King Saud with President Eisenhower
AP Wirephoto
King Saud Abdication
King Saud Abdication
Within eleven years, Saudi Arabia on brink of economic collapse
Royal family forced King to abdicate in 1964