Sheikhdom of Kuwait In the early 20th century, Kuwait immensely declined in regional economic importance, mainly due to many trade blockades and the world economic depression. Before Mary Bruins Allison visited Kuwait in 1934, Kuwait lost its prominence in long distance trade. During World War I, the British Empire imposed a trade blockade against Kuwait because Kuwait's ruler (Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah) supported the Ottoman Empire, who was in the Central Powers. The British economic blockade heavily damaged Kuwait's economy. The Great Depression negatively impacted Kuwait's economy starting in the late 1920s. International trading was one of Kuwait's main sources of income before oil.
Rise of the Ottoman Empire judge ("Kazasker") was created, indicating an increasing level of social stratification between the emerging military-administrative class ("askeri") and the rest of society. Murad I also instituted the practice of appointing particular frontier warriors as "Lords of the Frontier" ("uc begleri"). Such power of appointment indicated that the Ottoman rulers were no longer merely "primus inter pares" but sat at the top of a hierarchy of leadership. As a way of openly declaring this new status, Murad became the first Ottoman ruler to adopt the title of sultan. Beginning at the latest by the 1430s, but most likely earlier, the Ottomans