reza khan
Reza Khan was an ardent modernist and nationalist who ruled Iran as Reza Shah Pahlavi from the years 1925-1941. He ultimately ended foreign control in Iran and then worked to contain the power of the Islamic clergy and encourage Western influences to change Iran forever.
Reza Khan was born in a small, isolated village in the province of Mazandaran. His father Abbas Ali was an important member of a provincial army regiment, and within this army regiment, he held a high rank. His father served as a role model for Khan especially after he passed, leading Khan to become an ambitious army officer in the future.
In 1915, Khan was known as a courageous and valiant solider. His reputation and intelligence helped him become well known in many different provinces. By late 1915, he was promoted to the rank of colonel, which is known as an army officer of high rank. Throughout the 1920s, Khan was able to gain an enormous amount of power and support from others. Finally in 1925, Khan overthrew Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar dynasty, and founded a new dynasty called the Pahlavi Dynasty with himself as the Shah.
Similarly to Kemal Ataturk of Turkey, Khan also wanted to modernize Iran and turn Iran into a fully independent nation. In order to accomplish this, Khan created many reforms and new laws in order for Iran to advance and succeed like Western Europe. He established an authoritarian government that valued nationalism, militarism, secularism, and anti-communism combined with strict censorship and state doctrine. Khan also introduced many socio-economic reforms, reorganizing the army, government administration, and finances. As Iran modernized, terms became more civil between the British companies that controlled their oil company, which was located in Iran. Because Iran was now following Western ideas, they were able to persuade Britain to give Iran a larger share of the company’s profits. While the wealthy people of supported his reign and praised his ideas, others have criticized him stating that his reign under Iran was too superficial and too fast. Although people saw this of Khan, many saw the positives he brought to Iran; he built factories, roads, railroads, and strengthened the army. In addition to these changes, because he also wanted to modernize and westernize Iran, he then adopted the Western alphabet, Western fashion, and set up modern and secular schools throughout Iran. Like Ataturk, Khan also encouraged women to take part and finally find their niche in society. For many Iran nationalists, Khan was able to boost the status and prosperity of Iran, which ultimately gave Khan the name “the father of modern Iran.”
Citations:
-"Reza Khan." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013
-"Reza Shah the Great." Reza Shah the Great. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013
Picture Citation:
-"Rezā Shāh." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Reza Khan was born in a small, isolated village in the province of Mazandaran. His father Abbas Ali was an important member of a provincial army regiment, and within this army regiment, he held a high rank. His father served as a role model for Khan especially after he passed, leading Khan to become an ambitious army officer in the future.
In 1915, Khan was known as a courageous and valiant solider. His reputation and intelligence helped him become well known in many different provinces. By late 1915, he was promoted to the rank of colonel, which is known as an army officer of high rank. Throughout the 1920s, Khan was able to gain an enormous amount of power and support from others. Finally in 1925, Khan overthrew Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar dynasty, and founded a new dynasty called the Pahlavi Dynasty with himself as the Shah.
Similarly to Kemal Ataturk of Turkey, Khan also wanted to modernize Iran and turn Iran into a fully independent nation. In order to accomplish this, Khan created many reforms and new laws in order for Iran to advance and succeed like Western Europe. He established an authoritarian government that valued nationalism, militarism, secularism, and anti-communism combined with strict censorship and state doctrine. Khan also introduced many socio-economic reforms, reorganizing the army, government administration, and finances. As Iran modernized, terms became more civil between the British companies that controlled their oil company, which was located in Iran. Because Iran was now following Western ideas, they were able to persuade Britain to give Iran a larger share of the company’s profits. While the wealthy people of supported his reign and praised his ideas, others have criticized him stating that his reign under Iran was too superficial and too fast. Although people saw this of Khan, many saw the positives he brought to Iran; he built factories, roads, railroads, and strengthened the army. In addition to these changes, because he also wanted to modernize and westernize Iran, he then adopted the Western alphabet, Western fashion, and set up modern and secular schools throughout Iran. Like Ataturk, Khan also encouraged women to take part and finally find their niche in society. For many Iran nationalists, Khan was able to boost the status and prosperity of Iran, which ultimately gave Khan the name “the father of modern Iran.”
Citations:
-"Reza Khan." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013
-"Reza Shah the Great." Reza Shah the Great. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013
Picture Citation:
-"Rezā Shāh." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.