Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Notes for Friday, March 27th

Sorry this is late, but here is the 2nd day's worth of notes on Iran

Currently in Iran, there are very little Sunni left, with the majority of them being Shi'ite. By the 17th century, 90% of Iranians wer Shi'ite. Islam is divided into two main branches: Sunni and Shi'ites. The division appeared when separate parts wanted to be Caliph once Muhmammed died. The Shi'ites believed that the Islamic world could only descend by blood relatives from Muhammed. Shi'ites also believe that all secular church activity in Iran is illigitamate until Muhammed comes back.
Both tribes accept the Five Pillars: Muhammed is the only god; Give to charity; Pray everyday towards Mecca; Make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca per lifetime; Fast during the day during Rammadan.

The Suffaed dynasty collapses in 1722 and allow the Kayjars to take over and establish a new dynasty from 1794 to 1925. The Kayjars conquer much of Iran, set up a capital in Turan, Islam must be the state religion.
The new dynasty coincides with European imperialism. Russia seizes parts of Iran and sets up a monopoly to fish for scurgion. The British Imperial Bank wins a monopoly on paper money. Indo-European company establishes communication lines. The British were allowed to drill for oil in the Southwest.
Eventually, the Kayjars were forced to borrow from the British banks, b/c they insisted on living lavishly. The loans were so heavy and eventually had to give all customs service control to the British to pay off their debts.

Many Iranians feel like their govt was auctioned off. Eventually, in 1905-09, the Constitutional Revolution ensues. Money lenders and shopkeepers begin to demonstrate their dissatisfaction. The govt was faced with many problems, including the protestors, rising sugar prices, etc, so they whip 2 sugar merchants in response. The citizens were outraged.
14000 protesters head to the gardens in Toran in 1906 and demand a written constitution form the govt. The govt eventually gives in and it features: Elections, laws made by assembly, national sovereignty, keeping the Sharrs, centers the power in the Majles, etc. It gave the Majles authority over all laws, treaties, composition of the cabinet, etc.
Shiism becomes the official religion that was set up by the Guardian Council. But for some reason, the Council isnt really even get set up until 1979 Revolutoion. It runs under democratic policies until then.

1921, complete disarray, famine after WWI, some 1,000,000 die.

Liberals are in favor of social reforms after the split of parliament and decide to replace Islam law with civil law. The Conservatives, however, are opposed to giving women and religious minorties the rights the liberals want granted.
1921, Colonel Raza Kahn carries out a coup. He replaces the cabinet, puts power in his hands as Commander-in-Chief. In 1925, he disbands the Kayjarrs, calls himself the Shah-in-Shah, and establishes his new dynasty.

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