ABSTRACT
The aims of this study are to describe the process of imperial expansion and retreat undertaken by the British in southwest Arabia1 between 1955 and 1967, provide an explanation for why British policy developed in the manner that it did and place the episode in the context of the clash between Arab nationalism and British imperialism in the Middle East. These tasks are closely related to one another and also impose limits upon the scope of the project. Anybody familiar with the modern history of Yemen is aware of how complex the politics of southwest Arabia were for much of the twentieth century. By focusing primarily on the impact of the British in the region it is possible to gain insight into an interesting example of late European imperialism and its effect on the politics of a particular society. Yemen is one of the most fascinating countries in the Arab world and by tracing the relationship between southwest Arabia as a region on the periphery of the British Empire and policy-makers in the metropolis it is hoped that some key developments in the country’s history can be clarified and a contribution made to the study of British decolonization. Broader cultural and social developments are given less prominence: significant research has already been conducted into these subjects and they are fruitful fields for further study.2
