| Revision as of 04:43, 25 July 2002 edit62.253.64.7 (talk)No edit summary | Revision as of 05:58, 25 July 2002 edit undo62.253.64.7 (talk)m sp & linksNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| ] was known as ] until ] (see also ], ]). | ] was known as ] until ] (see also ], ]). | ||
| The key to the region was the British discovery of oil there in |
The key to the region was the British discovery of ] there in 1908 (see ]). Control was disputed between ] and ], codified in an agreement of 1907 dividing the region into spheres of influence. The country became a ] in 1906. | ||
| During ] the country was occupied by British and Russian forces but was essentially neutral. In 1919, Britain attempted to establish a protectorate in Iran, aided by the Soviet Union's withdrawal in 1921. In that year a military coup established Reza Khan as dictator and then herediatry |
During ] the country was occupied by British and Russian forces but was essentially neutral. In 1919, Britain attempted to establish a protectorate in Iran, aided by the Soviet Union's withdrawal in 1921. In that year a military coup established Reza Khan as dictator and then herediatry ] of the new Pahlevi dynasty (1925). Reza Shah Pahlevi thwarted the British attempt at control, and pushed to have the country developed. | ||
| During ] in August, 1941, |
During ] in August, 1941, a combined British and Soviet force occupied Iran. In September Reza abdicated in favour of his son Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlevi. At the Tehran Conference of 1943 the Tehran Declaration guaranteed the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran. However when the war did end the Soviets supported a revolt in the north which created the People's Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kurdish People's Republic in late 1945, both effective Soviet puppet regimes. Soviet troops did not withdraw from Iran proper until May, 1946 after receiving a promise of oil concessions. The Soviet republics in the north were soon overthrown and the oil concessions were revoked. | ||
| Nationalists sought to gain control of the vital oil industry and in 1951, the National Front movement forced the government to nationalize the oil industry |
Nationalists sought to gain control of the vital oil industry and in 1951, the National Front movement forced the government to nationalize the oil industry. Despite British pressure, including a economic blockade which caused real hardship the nationalization continued. The National Front leader, ], was briefly forced from power in 1952 but quickly returned and forced the Shah to flee. The Shah returned in mid-1953 and again forced Mussadegh from office in August with U.S. support, Mussadegh was arrested and a new president was appointed. | ||
| In return for the US support the |
In return for the US support the Shah agreed, in 1954, to allow an international consortium of British, American, French, and Dutch companies to run the Iranian oil facilities for the next 25 years, with profits shared equally. There was a return to stability in the late 1950s and the 1960s. In 1957 martial law was ended after 16 years and Iran became closer to the West, joining the ] and receiving military and economic aid from the US. The Iranian government began a broad program of reforms to modernize the country, notably changing the quasi-feudal land system. | ||
| However the reforms did not greatly improve economic conditions and the liberal pro-Western policies alienated certain religious and political groups. From the mid-1960s the political situation was becoming increasingly unstable. The Premier Hassan Ali Mansur was assassinated in 1965 and the internal security service, SAVAK, became more violently active. The Islamic clergy, headed by the Ayatollah ] (who had been exiled in 1964), were becoming increasingly vociferous. | However the reforms did not greatly improve economic conditions and the liberal pro-Western policies alienated certain ]ic religious and political groups. From the mid-1960s the political situation was becoming increasingly unstable. The Premier Hassan Ali Mansur was assassinated in 1965 and the internal security service, ], became more violently active. The Islamic clergy, headed by the Ayatollah ] (who had been exiled in 1964), were becoming increasingly vociferous. | ||
| Internationally relations with Iraq fell into a steep decline, mainly due to a dispute over the Shatt-al-Arab waterway which a 1937 agreement gave to Iraq. Following a number of clashes in April, 1969, Iran abrogated the 1937 accord and demanded a renegotiation. Iran greatly increased its defense budget and by the early 1970s was |
Internationally relations with ] fell into a steep decline, mainly due to a dispute over the ] waterway which a 1937 agreement gave to Iraq. Following a number of clashes in April, 1969, Iran abrogated the 1937 accord and demanded a renegotiation. Iran greatly increased its defense budget and by the early 1970s was the region's srongest military power. In November, 1971 Iranian forces seized control of three islands at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, in response Iraq expelling thousands of Iranian nationals. | ||
| In mid-1973, the |
In mid-1973, the Shah returned the oil industry to national control. Following the Arab-Israeli War of October, 1973, Iran did not join the Arab oil embargo against the West and Israel. Instead it used the situation to raise oil prices, using the money gained for modernization and to increase defense spending. | ||
| However the economic improvemnets tended to only benefit a very small group and succeeded in disaffecting the vast majority of the population, culminating in widespread religious led protests throughout the late 1970s. Martial law was declared in September 1978 for all major cities but the |
However the economic improvemnets tended to only benefit a very small group and succeeded in disaffecting the vast majority of the population, culminating in widespread religious led protests throughout the late 1970s. Martial law was declared in September 1978 for all major cities but the Shah recognized the erosion of his power-base and fled Iran on ], ]. Khomeini returned from exile and headed a religious revolution that overthrew the shah's government on ]. | ||
| The new government was extremely conservative. It nationalized industry and restored Islamic traditions in culture and law. Western influence were banned and the existing pro-West elite was quick to join the shah in exile. There were clashes between rival religious factions and brutal repression quickly became commonplace. | The new government was extremely conservative. It nationalized industry and restored Islamic traditions in culture and law. Western influence were banned and the existing pro-West elite was quick to join the shah in exile. There were clashes between rival religious factions and brutal repression quickly became commonplace. | ||
| Militant Iranian students seized the ] Embassy in ] on ] ] and held it until ]. The Carter administration initiated a economic boycott and attempted a |
Militant Iranian students seized the ] Embassy in ] on ] ] and held it until ]. The Carter administration initiated a economic boycott and attempted a rescue in April, 1980 that was a pitiful failure. Finally ] ended the crisis on the day of his inauguration, agreeing to nearly all the Iranian terms. | ||
| On ], ] Iraq invaded Iran, see ]. | On ], ] Iraq invaded Iran, see ]. | ||
| Following the death of Khomeini in 1989 he was succeeded by Sayid Ali Khamenei with Ali Akbar Rafsanjani becoming President. together them were somewhat more conciliatory and less fundamentalist than their predecessor. | Following the death of Khomeini in 1989 he was succeeded by ] with ] becoming President. together them were somewhat more conciliatory and less fundamentalist than their predecessor. | ||
| During the ] (1991) the country remained relatively neutral, restricting its action to the comdemnation of US and allowing Iraqi aircraft and refugees into the country. | During the ] (1991) the country remained relatively neutral, restricting its action to the comdemnation of US and allowing Iraqi aircraft and refugees into the country. | ||
| Rafsanjani was re-elected in 1993 before being |
Rafsanjani was re-elected in 1993 before being succeeded in 1997 by the moderate ]. This led the country into a dangerous rift between a government seeking reform and moderate liberalization against a clergy still extremely conservative. Khatami was re-elected in June, 2001 but his efforts have been repeatedly blocked by the religious Guardian Council. | ||
| The country is a poor econmic state and its associations with both international terrorism and a potential nuclear capacity are unlikely to aid it. While certain European countries seek ot normalise relations the US is still hostile. | The country is a poor econmic state and its associations with both international terrorism and a potential nuclear capacity are unlikely to aid it. While certain European countries seek ot normalise relations the US is still hostile. | ||
Revision as of 05:58, 25 July 2002
Iran was known as Persia until 1935 (see also History of Persia, History of Levant).
The key to the region was the British discovery of oil there in 1908 (see British Petroleum). Control was disputed between Great Britain and Russia, codified in an agreement of 1907 dividing the region into spheres of influence. The country became a contitutional monarchy in 1906.
During World War I the country was occupied by British and Russian forces but was essentially neutral. In 1919, Britain attempted to establish a protectorate in Iran, aided by the Soviet Union's withdrawal in 1921. In that year a military coup established Reza Khan as dictator and then herediatry Shah of the new Pahlevi dynasty (1925). Reza Shah Pahlevi thwarted the British attempt at control, and pushed to have the country developed.
During World War II in August, 1941, a combined British and Soviet force occupied Iran. In September Reza abdicated in favour of his son Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlevi. At the Tehran Conference of 1943 the Tehran Declaration guaranteed the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran. However when the war did end the Soviets supported a revolt in the north which created the People's Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kurdish People's Republic in late 1945, both effective Soviet puppet regimes. Soviet troops did not withdraw from Iran proper until May, 1946 after receiving a promise of oil concessions. The Soviet republics in the north were soon overthrown and the oil concessions were revoked.
Nationalists sought to gain control of the vital oil industry and in 1951, the National Front movement forced the government to nationalize the oil industry. Despite British pressure, including a economic blockade which caused real hardship the nationalization continued. The National Front leader, Muhammad Mussadegh, was briefly forced from power in 1952 but quickly returned and forced the Shah to flee. The Shah returned in mid-1953 and again forced Mussadegh from office in August with U.S. support, Mussadegh was arrested and a new president was appointed.
In return for the US support the Shah agreed, in 1954, to allow an international consortium of British, American, French, and Dutch companies to run the Iranian oil facilities for the next 25 years, with profits shared equally. There was a return to stability in the late 1950s and the 1960s. In 1957 martial law was ended after 16 years and Iran became closer to the West, joining the Baghdad Pact and receiving military and economic aid from the US. The Iranian government began a broad program of reforms to modernize the country, notably changing the quasi-feudal land system.
However the reforms did not greatly improve economic conditions and the liberal pro-Western policies alienated certain Islamic religious and political groups. From the mid-1960s the political situation was becoming increasingly unstable. The Premier Hassan Ali Mansur was assassinated in 1965 and the internal security service, SAVAK, became more violently active. The Islamic clergy, headed by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (who had been exiled in 1964), were becoming increasingly vociferous.
Internationally relations with Iraq fell into a steep decline, mainly due to a dispute over the Shatt-al-Arab waterway which a 1937 agreement gave to Iraq. Following a number of clashes in April, 1969, Iran abrogated the 1937 accord and demanded a renegotiation. Iran greatly increased its defense budget and by the early 1970s was the region's srongest military power. In November, 1971 Iranian forces seized control of three islands at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, in response Iraq expelling thousands of Iranian nationals.
In mid-1973, the Shah returned the oil industry to national control. Following the Arab-Israeli War of October, 1973, Iran did not join the Arab oil embargo against the West and Israel. Instead it used the situation to raise oil prices, using the money gained for modernization and to increase defense spending.
However the economic improvemnets tended to only benefit a very small group and succeeded in disaffecting the vast majority of the population, culminating in widespread religious led protests throughout the late 1970s. Martial law was declared in September 1978 for all major cities but the Shah recognized the erosion of his power-base and fled Iran on January 16, 1979. Khomeini returned from exile and headed a religious revolution that overthrew the shah's government on February 11.
The new government was extremely conservative. It nationalized industry and restored Islamic traditions in culture and law. Western influence were banned and the existing pro-West elite was quick to join the shah in exile. There were clashes between rival religious factions and brutal repression quickly became commonplace.
Militant Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4 1979 and held it until [[January 20 1981. The Carter administration initiated a economic boycott and attempted a rescue in April, 1980 that was a pitiful failure. Finally Ronald Reagan ended the crisis on the day of his inauguration, agreeing to nearly all the Iranian terms.
On September 22, 1980 Iraq invaded Iran, see Iran-Iraq War.
Following the death of Khomeini in 1989 he was succeeded by Sayid Ali Khamenei with Ali Akbar Rafsanjani becoming President. together them were somewhat more conciliatory and less fundamentalist than their predecessor.
During the Gulf War (1991) the country remained relatively neutral, restricting its action to the comdemnation of US and allowing Iraqi aircraft and refugees into the country.
Rafsanjani was re-elected in 1993 before being succeeded in 1997 by the moderate Mohammed Khatami. This led the country into a dangerous rift between a government seeking reform and moderate liberalization against a clergy still extremely conservative. Khatami was re-elected in June, 2001 but his efforts have been repeatedly blocked by the religious Guardian Council.
The country is a poor econmic state and its associations with both international terrorism and a potential nuclear capacity are unlikely to aid it. While certain European countries seek ot normalise relations the US is still hostile.