United Arab Emirates Colonial Records

Portuguese Colonization (early 1500s-mid 1600s)
The Portuguese established control in the early 1500s by force to protect interests in the area. By the mid 1600s, the Portuguese were forced out.

British Colonization (1820-1971)
In 1820 the Trucial States were established as a British Protectorate. The United Arab Emirates was established on 2 December 1971 and the British withdrew from its treaty obligations.