3 - A Martyr and Many Masters

Summary

As the century turned, Iran experienced political turmoil and America became a part of the drama of Iranian constitutionalism. After the assassination of Nasser al-Din Shah, the country moved toward constitutional government under his son, Mozaffar al-Din Shah. The constitutional revolution and civil war ushered in important political change in inaugurating Iran’s parliament, but instability followed. American missionaries and sympathizers, such as the martyred Howard Baskerville, fought for Iran’s freedom and to restore constitutional rule. During the period of the Second Majles, Iran hired American advisers to revamp its finances but was met with Russian interference. As war loomed, Iran found itself in a precarious position and its territory threatened by outside powers.