Iran: Key Terms and Concepts (1914-1945 and Islamic Republic Roots)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, people, and concepts from the notes on Iran's political evolution and Islamic governance.

Shia

Branch of Islam emphasizing leadership by the Imams (Ali and the Twelve Imams), including ayatollahs and scholars.

Sunni

Branch of Islam that follows the Qur'an and traditions of Muhammad; recognizes caliphs rather than Imams.

Caliph

Leader of the Muslim community; Sunni tradition identifies Abu Bakr as the first caliph muhammeds companion; Shia differ Ali bin Abu tail muhammeds cousin.

Abu Bakr

Muhammad's close companion and the first caliph in Sunni tradition.

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Muhammad's cousin and the first Imam in Shia belief; central to Shia leadership.

Imam

Spiritual leader in Islam; in Shia Islam, the line of twelve Imams and a key religious authority. muntazar disappeared in 872 and is living in hideness and will return.

Ayatollah

Highest rank of Shia clerical authority in Iran; notable leaders include the current supreme leader khamenei.

Mullah

Religious leaders and clerics; local religious authorities.

Majlis

Iranian parliament; can introduce laws and summon/impeach ministers or the president.

Assembly of Experts

Body that appoints and monitors the supreme leader and can remove him if duties are not fulfilled.

Guardian Council

Sixteen-member body (elected for six-year terms) that approves all bills and can veto or ban candidates.

Supreme Leader

Top political-religious authority in Iran; appoints many officials including Friday prayer leaders and broadcasters.

Vilayet-e Faqih

Theory of the rule of the jurist; basis for an Islamic government and the 1979 constitution framework. series of khomeinis lectures recorded on tapesthat laid out the principles of governance by Islamic law. and to overthrow the shahs monarchy.

1979 Constitution of the Islamic Republic

Constitution establishing an Islamic government led by the Vilayet-e Faqih.

Hafez al-Assad

President of Syria; led brutal campaigns including the Hama Massacre against opposition.

Hama Massacre

February 1982 crackdown in Hama by the Syrian government against Sunni Islamist

Causes - city-wide armed uprising by Sunni Islamists, led primarily by the Muslim Brotherhood

• Government response - asad ordered army to bomb Hama, with weapons and tanks followed by house raids

• Human cost - 10,000-14,000 killed

Qajar Dynasty

Persian monarchy; era of modernization attempts and foreign oil concessions under pressure from Britain and Russia.

Bazaar (Bazaars)

Markets and their small business owners who formed part of opposition to Qajar rule.

Ulama

Religious scholars whose political influence helped shape reform movements and opposition.

Cossack Brigade

Iranian cavalry unit (1879) modeled after Russia; instrumental in the 1921 coup that helped Reza Khan rise to power.

Interwar Iran (1914-1945)

Period between WWI and WWII marked by reform attempts, foreign influence, and state consolidation.

Reza Shah Pahlavi

Rise of Reza Khan to power; a military leader who modernized and centralized Iran, establishing the Pahlavi state.

Rise of Reza Khan

Coup-driven ascent of Reza Khan to power, leveraging the Cossack Brigade to seize Tehran.

D'Arcy Concession

1908 concession granting William Knox D'Arcy exclusive oil rights in Iran; about 16% of earnings to D'Arcy.

Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)

British oil company formed in 1935 (formerly Anglo-Persian); headquartered in Abadan; major refinery operations.

Abadan Oil Refinery

Major Iranian refinery hub; spurred city growth and industrial development.

1933 Oil Concession

Reza Shah renegotiated oil terms found out they were only getting 5%; Iran received about 20% of profits from oil instead of 16%.

Tudeh Party

Iranian communist party; sought USSR-aligned oil concessions; banned in 1982 after the Islamic Republic established.

Mohammad Mossadegh

Majlis member and nationalist leader; National Front founder; nationalized the AIOC in 1951 and pursued democratic reforms.

National Front

Political coalition led by Mossadegh; united Ulama and secular reformists to reduce foreign influence and shah power.

1906 Constitutional Reform

Protests that led to the creation of the Majlis and two decrees reducing the shah’s power; prompted foreign intervention.

Tribe Like politics

• us vs. them" mentality, where loyalty to one's political group supersedes all other considerations

Explain the difference between brutal and soft authoritarianism in the Middle East

•  - Brutal = violence, fear, control, while soft authoritarianism= limited political space/ rights.

3 opposition groups to Qajar rule

Bazzers: small business owners in the market, European- oriented reforms: Iranian military officers serving abroad, Ulma.

Results of Constitutional Reform in 1906-

Protests took place / forced Muzzafir to create the Majlis and two constitutional decrees that reduced power to the shah. The British sent troops to the south to protect their oil, and Russia to the north to protect their influence. Russia shut the Majlis down.

Civil War in Iran (1905-1914)

Who between - constitutionals and royalists

Impact of foreign influence on Persia/Iran- no real central government

Military Coup

(1921) led 3k men to Tehran and arrested many prominent politicians. In 1923 Reza became the prime minister and strongly encouraged ahmad shah to go to Europe. Used political theater to convince the majlis to depose the qajar dynasty.

Style of leadership

 uses the emerging and newly modernized military to brutally subdate tribal rebellious, brought rapid changes by using fear and terror. Mosque massacre 100+ killed

Economic Reforms

Social Reforms

• Economic Reforms - railroads

• Social Reforms - secularization of Iran

• Conditions in which authoritarian states emerged: 

  • economic factors

• social division -

• impact of war -

• weakness of political system -

• Conditions in which authoritarian states emerged: 

  • economic factors - Iran’s economy under the Qajars was weak and heavily dependent on foreign powers 

• social division - tribes vs. central stat

• impact of war - Foreign troops occupied much of the country, destroying infrastructure and humiliating the state.

This chaos discredited the Qajars and made many Iranians demand a leader who could restore sovereignty.

• weakness of political system -the Qajar dynasty was corrupt, indebted, and dependent on foreign powers