Iranian Constitutional Revolution

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The Iranian Constitutional Revolution (also Persian Constitutional Revolution and Constitutional Revolution of Iran) took place between 1905 and 1911. The revolution marked the beginning of the end of Iran's feudalistic society and led to the establishment of a parliament in Persia (Iran).

The Persian Constitutional Revolution was the first event of its kind in the Middle East. The Revolution opened the way for cataclysmic change in Persia, heralding the modern era. It saw a period of unprecedented debate in a burgeoning press. The revolution created new opportunities and opened up seemingly boundless possibilities for Persia’s future. Many different groups fought to shape the course of the Revolution, and all sections of society were ultimately to be in some way changed by it. The old order, which Nasser-al-Din Shah Qajar had struggled for so long to sustain, finally passed away, to be replaced by new institutions, new forms of expression, and a new social and political order.

The system of constitutional monarchy created by the decree of Mozzafar-al-Din Shah that was established in Persia as a result of the Revolution ultimately came to an end in 1925 with the dissolution of the Qajar dynasty and the ascension of Reza Shah Pahlavi to the throne.

It should be noted that the movement, however, did not end with the Revolution and was followed by the Constitutionalist movement of Gilan.

100th anniversary of Persian constitutional revolution.(Tehran 2006)
100th anniversary of Persian constitutional revolution.(Tehran 2006)

Contents

[edit] Context

In 1905 Persia (Iran) was still under the rule of the Qajar Dynasty who had ruled Persia since 1781. Over the duration of Qajar rule, Persia had gradually become a victim of Russian and British imperial policies in The Great Game. This international rivalry had caused successive central governments to become increasingly weak and corrupt. The country's management was often handled by powerful regional nobles who paid their token respects to the monarchy. In effect, this resulted in the central government relying on these nobles for both income, justice, and security.

This was particularly true of the brief reign of Mozzafar-al-Din Shah (1896-1907), during whose rule the Constitutional Revolution began. Mozzafar-al-Din Shah often relied on his chancellor to manage his decentralized state, he had also taken out several major loans from Russia and Britain to pay for his extravagant lifestyle and the costs of the central government. Despite some attempts to reform the central treasury during his reign he was continually undermined by both Russia and Britain. His dire financial situation caused him to sign many concessions to foreign powers, an example being the D'arcy oil concession which provided oil to Britain for 60 years at an extremely low price.

As concessions were granted with increasing frequency on an expanding list of trade items ranging from weapons to tobacco, the established noble classes, religious authorities, and educated elite began to demand a curb on royal authority and the establishment of the rule of law as their concern over foreign, and especially Russian, influence grew [1].

[edit] History

Members of the First Majlis (October 7, 1906 — June 23, 1908).
Members of the First Majlis (October 7, 1906 — June 23, 1908).

Following the defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese War, constitutional governments were put under the spotlight of success (Russia being the only European nation at the time without a constitution and Japan being the only Asian country with a constitution). In December, 1905, Two Iranian merchants were punished in Tehran for charging exorbitant prices. They were bastinadoed (a humiliating punishment where the soles of one's feet are hit) in public. An uprising of the merchant class in Tehran ensued, the clergy following suit as a result of the alliance formed in the 1892 Tobacco Rebellion.

The two protesting groups sought sanctuary in a mosque in Tehran, but the government violated this sanctuary and entered the mosque and dispersed the group. This violation of the sanctity of the mosque created an even larger movement which sought refuge in a shrine outside Tehran. The Shah had no choice, and was forced to agree to the concessions demanded by this larger movement: a "House of Justice".

In a scuffle in early 1906 the Government killed a seyyed (descendant of the prophet Muhhamed), and a large number of clergy sought sanctuary in the holy city Qom. Many merchants went to the British embassy for refuge.

In the summer of 1906 approximately 12,000 men camped out in the gardens of the British Embassy. Many gave speeches, many more listened. It is here that the demand for a parliament was born, the goal of which was to limit the power of the Shah. In August 1906, Mozaffareddin Shah agreed to allow a parliament, and in the fall, the first elections were held. In all, 156 members were elected, with an overwhelming majority coming from Tehran and the merchant class.

October 1906 marked the first meeting of parliament, who immediately gave themselves the right to make a constitution, thereby becoming a Constitutional Assembly. The Shah was getting old and sick, however, and the his son, Muhammed Ali, was not privy to constitutionalism. Therefore they had to work fast, and by December 31, 1906 the Shah signed the constitution, modeled primarily from the Belgium Constitution. The Shah was from there on "under the rule of law, and the crown became a divine gift given to the Shah by the people.

[edit] Aftermath

Within the decade following the establishment of the new majles a number of critical events took place. Many of these events can be viewed as a continuation of the struggle between the constitutionalists and the Shahs of Persia, many of whom were backed by foreign powers against the majles.

In summary (to be expanded):

  • Persia tried to keep free from Russian influence through resistance via the majles to the Shah's policies.
  • Majles brought in Morgan Shuster to reform treasury against initial desires of Russia+Shah. Russia kicked him out.
  • Russian & Bakhtiari troops landed and forced majles to temporarily cease when their plans did not come to fruition.
  • Reza Shah seized power and curtailed the power of the majles. He effectively turned it into a rubber stamp organization.

[edit] Notable individuals

Women and Persian constitutional revolution

[edit] Constitutionalists

[edit] Monarchists

  • Mozzafar-al-Din Shah - Shah of Persia who signed the constitution, thereby creating a constitutional monarchy.
  • Mohammad Ali Shah - Son of Mozzafar-al-Din Shah. Attempted to crush the constitution.
  • Sheikh Fazlollah Noori - a cleric who backed the king and stood against the constiuional revilution. After the victory of the ICM he was hanged.
  • Liakhoff- a Russian colonel who was the right hand man of Mohammad Ali Shah.
  • Arfah-aldullah
  • Mokhber-aldullah
  • Ein-aldullah

[edit] Religious figures

  • Mohammad Kazem Khorasani, pro-constitutionalism.
  • Seyyed Kazem Yazdi, against constitutionalism.
  • Sheikh Fazlollah Noori, against constitutionalism.
  • Mirza Hossein Na'eeni, pro-constitutionalism.

[edit] Further reading

  • Browne, Edward G. The Persian Revolution of 1905-1909. Mage Publishers (July 1995). ISBN 0-934211-45-0
  • Afary, Janet. The Iranian Constitutional Revolution, 1906-1911. Columbia University Press. 1996. ISBN 0-231-10351-4

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

  • Images of Revolution. The Constitutionalist Revolution: 1906-1909. [1]
  • [2] - Photographs of revolutionaries in Tabriz
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