Lesson 1: Iran's Constitutional Revolution, 1906-1911
Learning Objective: I can explore the events surrounding Iran's Constitutional Revolution
DA: Which two countries influenced Iran's history during the nineteenth century and explain how?
Background info...
Early Iran:
- Scarcity of water forced Persians to develop ways to distribute this resource
- Religion based on justice and fairness.
- Development of an effective government.
- Established around 9000-6000 BCE.
- Emphasized order, social justice, idea that men and women were on earth to improve the world.
- Cyrus, King of Persia, developed a postal system, built roads, legal system, taxation.
- Romans would later use it as a model for their own.
- Nomadic tribes overthrew the Greeks, Ardeshir in 220 CE reestablished rule and authority over the tribes. Known as the Sassanian Dynasty.
- Goal was to unify the empire creating political stability; arts, architecture, and other elements of Persian culture grew.
- Class structures were established which helped set the stage for the arrival of Islam = social justice and equality.
- Islam arrived around 650 CE. Justice and fairness appealed to many who resented Sassanian rule.
- Mohammad had a revelation from the angel Gabriel in Mecca, 610 CE.
- Began to preach a message of generosity, solidarity, and courage. Greed was bad and that the poor had the right to share the wealth of the rich.
- Shi'i and Sunni surfaced around 750 CE and divided the religion; Shi'i believed the only successor was from Mohammad's descendants.
- Isma'il convinced many tribes he was a descendant of Imam Ali. Declared himself the Shah and proclaimed Shi'ism to be mandatory faith.
- Shi'i Islam became strongly connected to political life.
- Safavid Shahs sponsored Shi'i clergy and established religious schools for educating theologians. Ulamas were also recruited from neighboring Arab lands.
- Trade increased and Safavid rulers tolerated religions of foreigners; constructed a Roman Catholic church.