Persian Constitutional Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Persian Constitutional Revolution?

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Persian Constitutional Revolution

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The 1905–1911 Iranian uprising establishing a parliament and modern political structures.

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Origins & Early Life

The Persian Constitutional Revolution (Persian: مشروطیت, romanized: Mašrutiat, or انقلاب مشروطه Enqelâb-e Mašrute), also known as the Constitutional Revolution of Iran, took place between 1905 and 1911 during the Qajar era. The revolution led to the establishment of a parliament in Iran (Persia), and has been called an "epoch-making episode in the modern history of Persia". The revolution was "the first of its kind in the Islamic world, earlier than the revolution of the Young Turks in 1908". It opened the way for the modern era in Iran, and debate in a burgeoning press. Many groups fought to shape the course of the revolution.

Career & Major Achievements

The old order, which Naser al-Din Shah Qajar had struggled for so long to sustain, was finally replaced by new institutions. Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar signed the 1906 constitution shortly before his death. He was succeeded by Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar, who abolished the constitution and bombarded the parliament in 1908 with Russian and British support. This led to a second effort when constitutionalist forces marched to Tehran, forced Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar's abdication in favour of his young son, Ahmad Shah Qajar, and re-established the constitution in 1909. The revolution ended in December 1911 when the Shah's ministers oversaw the expulsion of the deputies of the Second Majlis from the parliament "with the support of 12,000 Russian troops".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the 1921 Persian coup d'état (Persian: کودتای ۳ اسفند ۱۲۹۹), Iran's parliament amended the constitution on 12 December 1925, replacing the 1797–1925 Qajar dynasty with the Pahlavi dynasty as the legitimate sovereigns of Iran. The 1906–1907 constitution, though not adhered to, remained until after the Islamic Revolution, when a new constitution was approved in a referendum on 2 and 3 December 1979, establishing an Islamic republic. The Constitutional Revolution began in 1905 with protest against a foreign director of customs (a Belgian) enforcing "with bureaucratic rigidity" the tariff collections to pay for a loan to another foreign source (Russians) that financed Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar's extravagant tour of Europe. The revolutionaries – bazaari, ulama, radicals – argued that Iran's oil industry was being sold to the British, while tax breaks on imports, exports and manufactured textiles were destroying Iran's economy (which was sustained by the bazaar merchants), and that the shah was selling assets to pay interest on the fortune in foreign debt he had accumulated. It ended in December 1911 when deputies of the Second Majlis, suffering from "internal dissension, apathy of the masses, antagonisms from the upper class, and open enmity from Britain and Russia", were "roughly" expelled from the Majlis and threatened with death if they returned by "the shah's cabinet, backed by 12,000 Russian troops".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1905: 1905 Milestone — The Persian Constitutional Revolution (Persian: مشروطیت, romanized: Mašrutiat, or انقلاب مشروطه Enqelâb-e Mašrute), also known as the Constitutional Revolution of Iran, took place between 1905 and 1911 during the Qajar era.
2. 1906: 1906 Milestone — Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar signed the 1906 constitution shortly before his death.
3. 1908: 1908 Milestone — The revolution was "the first of its kind in the Islamic world, earlier than the revolution of the Young Turks in 1908".
4. 1909: 1909 Milestone — This led to a second effort when constitutionalist forces marched to Tehran, forced Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar's abdication in favour of his young son, Ahmad Shah Qajar, and re-established the constitution in 1909.
5. 1911: 1911 Milestone — The revolution ended in December 1911 when the Shah's ministers oversaw the expulsion of the deputies of the Second Majlis from the parliament "with the support of 12,000 Russian troops".
6. 1921: 1921 Milestone — After the 1921 Persian coup d'état (Persian: کودتای ۳ اسفند ۱۲۹۹), Iran's parliament amended the constitution on 12 December 1925, replacing the 1797–1925 Qajar dynasty with the Pahlavi dynasty as the legitimate sovereigns of Iran.

Notable Quotes by Persian Constitutional Revolution

“The revolution was "the first of its kind in the Islamic world, earlier than the revolution of the Young Turks in 1908".”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Persian Constitutional Revolution

True or False: “Did the Persian Constitutional Revolution immediately result in the permanent abolition of all monarchical rule in Iran?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it established a parliament and constitutional framework, the monarchy was re-established after periods of struggle, notably with Ahmad Shah Qajar.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolph Menzel — Historical peer (Died in 1905) (1905): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg — Historical peer (Died in 1905) (1905): Grand Duke of Luxembourg, ruling from 1890 until his death in 1905.
• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Born in 1911) (1911): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Ahmed Urabi — Historical peer (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.
• Abraham Maslow — Historical peer (Born in 1908) (1908): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Amon Göth — Historical peer (Born in 1908) (1908): Austrian SS functionary and war criminal, commandant of Płaszów concentration camp.
• A. J. P. Taylor — Historical peer (Born in 1906) (1906): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
• Adolf Eichmann — Historical peer (Born in 1906) (1906): Nazi SS officer and key organizer of the Holocaust's logistics.
• Aboul-Qacem Echebbi — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Influential Tunisian poet, celebrated for his passionate verses and nationalistic spirit.
• Albert R. Broccoli — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions about Persian Constitutional Revolution