Iran

What was the response to the nationalization of oil in Iran in 1951?

Mosaddegh was overthrown. A hired protest (hired by the U.S. CIA) occurred shouting "down with Mosaddeq". Surrounding people joined in, then the police, and then the army joined them. People bombed Mosques and said they represented Mosaddeq. Furthermore Britain said Mosaddeq was colluding with the USSR which was anti-religion. The U.S. ambassador threatened the Shah to collaborate with the coup. This culminated in the overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddegh.

What was the Tudeh Party? when was it founded?

The Tudeh party was founded in 1941 as a Communist Party that was anti-fascist, democratic-socialist, and pro-Allies. This was brought about as Reza Shah was abdicated and exiled during the Anglo-Soviet invasion.

When was the first Persian Constitution created and who signed it? What happened to the first constitution?

The first Iranian constitution was created in 1906 and signed into being by Mozaffar al-Din Shah. This lasted until 1908 when his successor, Mohammad Ali Shah abolished the constitution and bombarded Parliament.

What were some of the reforms that the White Revolution instituted? (5)

- land reform - investments in infrastructure - eradication of diseases - enfranchisement of women - broad based literacy and health corps

What was the 1828 Treaty of Turkmenchay? What was its significance?

The 1828 Treaty of Turkmenchay ended the second Russo-Persian War between Iran and Russia. In this conflict Russia emerged victorious. The treaty ceded the rest of the Iranian Caucus territories to Russia. This treaty granted the first capitulations in Iran to Russia.

What was the National Front? What did they want?

The National Front was the name of the movement that Mohammad Mosaddegh led and created a government under until the 1953 coup. The Second National Front was created from 1960-1964 which consisted of Mosaddegh's followers, all of which wanted to replace the old monarchy with an Islamic Republic.

What happened to Reza Shah Pahlavi?

After the Anglo-Soviet invasion he was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

When did Anglo-Soviet occupation begin in Iran? Why (4)?

Anglo-Soviet occupation in Iran begins in 1941. The allied powers invaded in order to: 1) ensure the safety of Allied supply lines to the USSR 2) to secure Iranian oil Fields 3) to limit German influence in Iran (Reza Shah Pahlavi was considered friendly with Nazi Germany) 4) to preempt a possible Axis advance from Turkey through Iran toward the Baku oil fields.

Why was Naser al-Din Shah Qajar granting these concessions?

Because Iran was in a poor economic situation after Russian defeats.

Who was Mirza Reza Kermani and why is he important to Iranian history?

He assassinated Naser al-Din Shah in order to prevent any further foreign incursion permitted by the Shah.

Why was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi so unpopular?

He become a dictatorial power. SAVAK and the silencing of dissidents. He was said to be destroying the Islamic faith in Iran through his progressive reforms.

How did Ayatollah Khomeini become famous?

He opposed Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's policies. (Capitulations and the immunity given to US troops in Iran) He was arrested and exiled by SAVAK. He was exiled to Paris where he becomes recognized by Western media.

Who was Reza Shah Pahlavi and why is he important to Iranian history?

He overthrew the Qajar dynasty and created the Pahlavi dynasty. He sought to establish a Republic in Iran. Furthermore he wished to modernize the country. This received significant pushback from Iranian people as they worried that a Republic would become a dictatorship (primarily because of how Reza gained power). They also worried that the government would be secularized. Under him, he compromised and created a monarchy.

Who was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and why is he important to Iranian history?

He replaced his father Reza Shah Pahlavi who was abdicated after the Anglo-Soviet occupation in 1941. (he was said to be friendly with Germany). During his reign Mosaddegh nationalized the Anglo-Persian Oil Co.. It also became denationalized by the Consortium Agreement of 1954. His reign brought about the White Revolution which aimed to modernize and the country through economic, political, and social reforms. This received tremendous push back by those who feared secularism. This also led to the popularity of Ayatollah Khomeini. He was the last Shah of Iran.

Who was Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He took Iran, riddled with tribal warfare, and united it. He therefore centralized and unified Iran during the late 18th century. He was the founder of the Qajar dynasty which lasted until 1925.

Who was Mohammad Mosaddeq and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was a highly popular Prime Minister amongst the Iranian people. He stood for nationalism and self determination of Iran outside of European influence. He is primarily known for his involvement in nationalizing the Anglo-Persian Oil Co.

Who was Amir Kabir and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the Chief Minister to Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and Chancellor of Persia. He is widely considered to be the first reformer and modernizer of Iran.

Who was Fazlollah Zahedi and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the Prime Minister after Mosaddegh. His cabinet consisted largely of foreigners and generals involved in the coup. Under his leadership the oil industry was denationalized through the Consortium Agreement of 1954.

Who was Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the Shah at the turn of the 19th-20th century. He is widely credited with the creation of the Persian Constitution. Under his reign Iran began to move towards a constitutional monarchy. He granted William Know D'Arcy a concession for the extraction of oil.

Who was Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the Shah from 1907-1909. During his reign he abolished the 1906 constitution and bombarded the Iranian Parliament in 1908 with Russian and British support. This led to a constitutionalist movement which marched to Tehran and forced his abdication in favor of his son Ahmad Shah Qajar.

Who was Naser- al-Din Shah Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the Shah throughout the second half of the 19th century. He is best known for his attempts to solve Iran's declining economy, specifically through concessions. The two concessions he is best known for is the Reuter Concession of 1872 and the Tobacco Concession of 1890. Under his rule, the Iranian constitutionalist movement began as a reaction to his dictatorial styled ruling and his attempts to allow concessions to foreigners.

Who was Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the second Shah of the Qajar dynasty throughout the late 18th century well into the 1830s. Under his reign Iran lost all of its Caucus territories after being defeated twice by Russia. The Treaties signed under him were the Treaty of Golestan and the Treaty of Turkmenchay. At the end of his reign Iran's economy was in decline.

Who was Prince Abbas Mirza and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the son of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and was the first person to begin modernizing Iran in the first half of the 19th century (militarily and institutionally). He saw the need to modernize after the defeats in the Russo-Persian Wars in which he was a military commander of the Iranian forces.

Who was Ahmad Shah Qajar and why is he important to Iranian history?

He was the son to Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar and took the throne after his father was abdicated. He re-established the Iranian constitution in 1909 and was the last Shah of the Qajar dynasty. Under his rule WWI happened which led Russia and Britain to use Iran as a battleground against the Ottomans. By 1920 his government had lost virtually all power. The 1919 Anglo-Persian Agreement further immobilized Iran under his control. He was ousted by Reza Khan in 1921. But was officially deposed in 1925. Therefore, he was the last of the Qajar dynasty in Iran.

What was the significance of the Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi's death in 1961?

His death allowed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to proceed with his social and economic goals which he had not been previously able to accomplish out of fear of religious push back. This leads Ayatollah Khomeini to rise to prominence after he saw the Shah taking advantage of the Gran Ayatollah's death. He rose in opposition to the Shah and thus he became famous among the Iranian people.

Who was given a concession in 1872 and for what? Who gave this concession? What is the significance of such a concession?

In 1872 Naser al-Din Shah Qajar gave a concession to Baron Julius de Reuter for the creation and control of Iranian roads, telegraph lines, mills, factories, extraction of resources, and other public works. This concession was met with foreign and domestic backlash. The Russian government was hostile to this agreement. Additionally, the Iranian people grew outraged over the impending European control of Iranian infrastructure. This led Naser al-Din Shah Qajar to cancel the concession even as his country's financial situation was in decline. This event set the stage for the 1890 Tobacco protests as any attempt at European infringement would be met with foreign and domestic backlash.

Who was given a concession in 1890 and for what? Who gave this concession? What is the significance of such a concession?

In 1890 Naser al-Din Shah Qajar granted a concession to Major G. F. Talbot for a full monopoly over the production, sale, and export of tobacco for 50 years. This concession, like the 1872 Reuter Concession, was met with more Iranian and Russian hostility. Specifically through a protest and boycott of all tobacco products. The pressure resulted in the Shah canceling the concession. This showed the Iranian people that they had power over the Shah and foreign governments. Many historians connect this to the Constitutional revolutions. The cancellation of this concession caused Naser al-Din Shah Qajar to contract a loan from Russia thereby making Iran a debtor state.

Who was Mirza Reza Kermani and what is his significance?

In 1896 he assassinated Naser al-Din Shah Qahar to prevent the Shah from leading the country into foreign hands (concessions).

Who was given a concession in 1901 and for what? Who gave this concession?

In 1901, Mozzafar al-Din Shah Qajar granted William Knox D'Arcy a concession for the extraction of oil. This wasn't met with opposition as no one knew the significance of oil or if there would even be oil in Iran.

What was Irans position in WWI?

In 1914 Iran declares strict neutrality in an attempt to avoid becoming involved in WWI. However, Iran ends up becoming a battleground for Russian, Ottoman, and British troops.

What was the 1946 Iranian Crisis?

In 1946, at the end of WWII Britain and the U.S. slowly withdrew their troops from Iran. However, Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union refused to relinquish occupied Iranian territory. This caused the U.S. to pressure the Soviet Union to withdraw and thus became the first instance of the soon-to-be Cold War.

When was the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. nationalized? Who led this effort?

In 1951 Mohammad Mosadeqq, the Iranian Prime Minister, led the Iranian Parliament to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co.

What was the 1919 Anglo-Persian Agreement? What was its significance?

This agreement was made at the end of WWI after Britain became the dominant force in Tehran. This agreement provided Iran with a loan and with advisors to the army and every other government department from Britain. This was seen as Britain establishing a protectorate over Iran.

What was the 1954 Consortium Agreement?

This agreement was made between Iran and other Western nations. It essentially denationalized the oil industry. It provided Western oil companies with 40% ownership of Iranian oil production.

What was the 1921 Persian Coup D'etat? Why was it caused?

This stemmed from the Russian Revolution. Ahmad Shah Qajar was being used by Britain and Russia during the Russian Revolution, in 1920 the government had lost virtually all power outside Tehran. To prevent Russian control of Tehran and to protect oil interests, Britain promoted Reza Khan to lead a brigade to siege Tehran. He did so and reinstituted a new Prime Minister and became the Minister of War. This instituted Reza Khan as an authority figure within Iran as he would secure Iran's interior from foreign and domestic threats throughout the early 1920s. This led Reza Khan to become the Shah in December of 1925. He established the Pahlavi dynasty.

What was the 1813 Golestan (Gulistan) Treaty? What was its significance?

This treaty ended the first Russo-Persian War between Iran and Russia that began in 1804. Within the war Russia emerged victorious. The Treaty ceded the bulk of Iran's Caucasian territories This Treaty angered many Iranians who believed the Iranian government, specifically Fath Ali Shah Qajar, had given in too easily to Russian demands. It therefore caused the Iranian government to go to war with Russia to try to recover lost lands, this became known as the Second Russo-Persian War.

What was the 1963 White Revolution? Why was it instituted?

This was a revolution launched by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi which sought to further modernize Iran. These reforms were instituted to try to undermined the class system which supported a traditional system. This was a revolution in opposition to communism and religion. This was meant to grow the Shah's popularity amongst the peasantry and to modernize the country.

When was the second Persian Constitution created and who signed it?

The second Iranian constitution was created after constitutionalist forces forced Muhammad Ali Shah's abdication in favor of his son Ahmad Shah Qajar who reestablished the constitution in 1909.