[2] HIW was formed in 1930/1931 as a merger between the minor National and People's parties and other like-minded nationalist groups.
[2] The new party soon gained the support of Jam'iyat Ashab al-San'a (Artisans' Society), the largest trade union in Iraq.
[9] The party held its first meeting in Baghdad in March of the same year, attracting 2000 followers to a rally where they called for a new government and a redefinition of the relationship between Iraq and the United Kingdom.
[10] In order to demonstrate its importance the party organised strikes in July, although there was no direct political motive behind the move, other than showing that the HIW had support.
[14] This remained the case for future HIW administrations, although al-Kaylani returned to the top job after Ghazi's death.