Change of government in Persia
- Category:
- Politics
- Front:
- Middle East
- Date:
- 19 August 1914
- Author:
- Natalia
- Tags:
- Persia, Ahmad Shah Qajar
According to contemporary chronicles of the war, on 19 August 1914 there was a change of government in Persia. The Prime Minister, Ala al-Saltaneh, resigned and took the post of foreign minister in the new government, vacated the day before by Vosugh od-Dowleh. The new prime minister was Mostowfi ol-Mamalek. Sources differ on the exact dates of these changes, and some studies end Ala al-Saltaneh’s premiership as early as August 1913.
The new prime minister
Mostowfi ol-Mamalek was one of the most respected Persian politicians of his era. He headed the government several times and had a reputation as an honest man, independent of foreign influence. Ala al-Saltaneh, for his part, was an experienced diplomat who had represented Persia abroad for many years.
The change of government came soon after the coronation of the young Shah Ahmad, who came of age in July 1914 and took over power from the regent. The new cabinet immediately had to face the question of what stance to take towards the war in Europe.
Neutrality on paper
The government of Mostowfi ol-Mamalek opted for neutrality, which Persia officially declared in November 1914, after the Ottoman Empire entered the war. It was, however, a neutrality that was hard to maintain. Northern Persia was controlled by Russian troops, in the south the British were active, guarding the oilfields on the Persian Gulf, and from the west Ottoman troops marched in.
Significance
Persia became an arena of fighting between Russia, Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire, and German agents tried to stir up the tribes against the Allies. The weak government in Tehran was unable to protect the country. The war brought Persia destruction, epidemics and a terrible famine in 1917–1919.
Remember the articles you have read? Only in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.How it works
Read ·
Spotted a mistake?Report an error
Meanwhile
(04)Elsewhere in the same days.
- 19 August 1914 · Western FrontFrench retake MulhouseOn 19 August 1914 General Paul Pau's Army of Alsace re-entered Mulhouse after heavy fighting. This time the French held the town for a week.
- 19 August 1914 · Western FrontBelgian army withdraws from the Gete to AntwerpOn 19 August 1914 the Belgian army withdrew from the Gete to the fortress of Antwerp. In the towns it left, German troops committed crimes against civilians.
- 18 August 1914 · Western FrontBattle of the GeteOn 18 August 1914 the Belgian army faced the Germans on the Gete. Threatened with encirclement, King Albert I ordered a retreat to the fortress of Antwerp.
- 20 August 1914 · Western FrontEnd of the battles of Morhange and SarrebourgOn 20 August 1914 a German counter-attack in Lorraine shattered the French offensive. The French armies fell back towards Nancy with heavy losses.
Related events
(04)The same battle, people or subject.
- 18 August 1914 · Middle EastPersian foreign minister Vosugh od-Dowleh resignsChronicles of the time record that on 18 August 1914 Persia's foreign minister Vosugh od-Dowleh resigned. The country faced a choice of stance towards the war.
- 20 February 1915 · Middle EastNew Persian foreign ministerAccording to a British chronology, on 20 February 1915 Mo'aven od-Dowleh replaced Ala al-Saltaneh as Persian foreign minister. Persia barely kept neutral.
- 14 March 1915 · Middle EastNew prime minister of PersiaOn 14 March 1915 Hassan Pirnia, Moshir od-Dowleh, succeeded Mostowfi ol-Mamalek as head of the Persian government. The country still sought to stay neutral.
- 27 April 1915 · Middle EastAin od-Dowleh becomes prime minister of PersiaPer the British chronology, on 27 April 1915 Ain od-Dowleh, premier in the Constitutional Revolution era, again led Persia. A new foreign minister came in too.