Constitutional Revolution
A movement (1905–1911) that established a parliament (Majles) and Iran's first constitution, limiting the absolute power of the Qajar monarch.
Read in context →At a glance
- Period
- 1905–1911 CE
- Key achievement
- Constitutional decree (1906) and the Majlis
- Turning point
- Bombardment of the Majlis (1908)
- Significance
- First constitution in the Middle East
Detail
The Iranian Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911) was a broad movement to curb the absolute power of the Qajar shahs and establish the rule of law and a parliamentary system. Its roots lay in discontent over concessions granted to foreigners, corruption and economic weakness, and new awareness fostered by intellectuals, merchants (the bazaar), and a segment of the clergy. After widespread protests and sit-ins, Mozaffar al-Din Shah signed the constitutional decree in 1906, the first National Consultative Assembly (Majlis) was opened, and a constitution and supplement were drafted. But his successor, Mohammad Ali Shah, bombarded the Majlis with Russian help in 1908, beginning the "Lesser Tyranny"; constitutionalists rose up from Tabriz, Gilan, and Isfahan, captured Tehran in 1909, and deposed the shah. Although the revolution did not fully achieve its aims amid Russian and British intervention and internal strife, it produced the first constitution and parliament in Iran and the Middle East and became a cornerstone for later movements for freedom.
Related entities
Sources
- Encyclopædia Iranica, "Constitutional Revolution"
- Janet Afary, The Iranian Constitutional Revolution, 1906–1911
- Ervand Abrahamian, A History of Modern Iran