Proceedings of the 16th International Academic Conference, Amsterdam

ARMENIANS SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTIVISTS & IRANIAN CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION (1905-1911)

HOSSEIN ABADIAN

Abstract:

Through the Contemporary history of Iran, Armenians have been the most important religious and ethnic minority having an undeniable role in the significant developments of the country and especially in Iranian Constitutionalist Revolution. Such a role is in no way limited to constitutionalism of course; one may trace back and forth their contribution in many pre and post-constitutionalism instead. Armenians had such an involvement in the developments of Iran after the politically and socially great Constitutionalist Revolution that the full list of political activities may not exclude their contribution in the social developments of Iran. This was because of the desirable conditions provided to the Armenians in Iran. This study deals with the role did play various Armenian groups and parties in socio-political changes in Iran at the beginning of her modern history. Generally, Armenians were related with Iranian constitutionalism from several aspects; the first and most significant relation had been established through the social-democratic movement. They provided for a relation between Iranian social-democratic associations and international socialist movement. They would convey the message of Iranian people to European nations. The second means for the relation of Armenians with Iranian Constitutionalism was Dashnak party which was realized by the active participation by Yeprem Khan. Armenians were pioneers of women’s rights and the issue of separation of religion and politics. They were organized but not necessarily converging groups and made a great effort in the re-establishment of Iranian constitutionalism. The broad relations and communications they had with the overseas, provided for Iranian revolution to convey its message beyond geographic limits of this country and to Europe. Armenians would provide for the relation between Iranian constitutionalists and Caucasian social-democratic forces and even with social-democratic party of Russia. This way, Iranian revolution was related with Bolsheviks on one hand and with Mensheviks on the other. Iranian Constitutionalists had communication with Lenin, Kaotsky and Pelekhanov through Armenians. Furthermore, Armenians were effective in many social and cultural developments of Iran and hence their names shall never be erased from the pages of Iranian Contemporary history.

Keywords: Iran, Armenians, Constitutional Revolution, Political Parties, Social Changes

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2015.016.001

PDF: Download