Iran : a social and political history since the Qajars

From encounters with Western powers in the nineteenth century through to a Constitutional Revolution at the beginning of the twentieth century, and from the overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mosaddeq in the 1950s to the current Islamic Republic, Iran's history has rarely been far from tumultuous and dramatic. And the ways in which Iranian society has participated in and reacted to these events have been equally fascinating and revolutionary. Here for the first time in English, Yann Richard offers his take on the social and political history of Iran since 1800. Richard's account traces the common threads of national ideology and violent conflict that have characterised a number of episodes in Iranian history. By also concerning himself with the reactions and feelings of Iranian society, and by referring frequently to Persian sources and commentaries, Richard gives us a unique insight into the challenges encountered by Iranians in modern times. Iran Under The Qajars During Its Long History, Persia Witnessed Numerous Invasions. But Each Time It Took Revenge On Its Assailants, Who Were Generally From Central Asia, By Turning Them Into Iranians Through A Culture Of Assimilation. In 1722, The Army Of The Ruler Of Qandahar, Once Again From The East, Took Isfahan And Brought An End To The Ruling Safavid Dynasty. Persia Thus Became A Battlefield Between Dynasties That Were Unable To Permanently Establish Themselves. This Continued Until The End Of The Eighteenth Century, When The Qajars Were Finally Able To Take Power. It Is To This Period That We Now Turn In Order To Understand The Difficult Relationship Between Shiism And Politics And How A Conventional Monarchy Was Able To Give Birth To An Islamic Republic. It Was Also At This Time That The European Empires Began To Take An Interest In Iran And To Drag It Into The Modern World-- Iran Under The Qajars -- Three Shahs, Three Wars, Three Reformers (1797-1896) -- From Revolts To The Revolution (1880-1906) -- The Constitutional Revolution: From Illusion To Reality (1905-08) -- The Nationalists' Bitter Victory (1908-12) -- Iran In The Great War -- The End Of The Qajars -- Reza Khan To Reza Shah: Defender Of The Nation -- From Persia To Iran: Foreign Relations -- The Democratic Awakening (1941-53) -- The Last Reign Of An Immortal Kingdom, Mohammad-reza Shah -- An Islamic Republic In Iran. Yann Richard ; With The Assistance Of Willem Floor. This Edition Is A Revised, Expanded And Updated Translation Of L'iran De 1800 A Nos Jours, Published By Flammarion, 2009 And 2016, And Previously Published As L'iran: Naissance D'une Republique Islamique By La Martiniere, 2006. The Original French Version Of This Book Has Been Translated, Adapted And Expanded Through The Friendly Help Of Willem Floor--note On The Translation. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. CONTENTS List of Maps Preface 1 Iran under the Qajars 2 Three Shahs, Three Wars, Three Reformers (1797–1896) 3 From Revolts to the Revolution (1880–1906) 4 The Constitutional Revolution: From Illusion to Reality (1905–08) 5 The Nationalists’ Bitter Victory (1908–12) 6 Iran in the Great War 7 The End of the Qajars 8 Reza ̄ Kha ̄ n to Reza ̄ Sha ̄ h: Defender of the Nation 9 From Persia to Iran: Foreign Relations 10 The Democratic Awakening (1941–53) 11 The Last Reign of an Immortal Kingdom, Mohammad-Reza ̄ Sha ̄ h 12 An Islamic Republic in Iran Conclusion: Lies and Truth Chronology Bibliography Index Understanding events and key actors in Iran has been pivotal to understanding global history and politics, and this is ever-more evident now. With this introduction to Iranian history since 1800, Yann Richard offers a comprehensive and powerful narrative of the challenges encountered by Iranians in modern times.