Ömer Alkaç

The constitutional movement, which can be considered the first step of Iran’s democratization efforts, went through its most troubled period during the short reign of Mohammad Ali Shāh (1907-1909). Mohammad Ali Shāh, who established good relations with the leaders of the constitutional movement during his crown prince, was aware that he could not sit on the Qajar throne without their support. Mohammad Ali Shāh also signed the constitutional edict signed by his father Moẓaffar od-Dīn Shāh (1896-1907) for the same reason. Mohammad Ali Shāh, who was pro-Russian during his crown prince, actually never adopted the constitutional monarchy. As soon as his father died, he began to openly express his attitude towards the supporters of the constitutional monarchy and the parliament. In particular, the fact that no one representing the parliament was invited to the coronation ceremony was a harbinger of bad days ahead for the constitutionalists. Mohammad Ali Shāh, just as expected from him, took every opportunity to eliminate the constitutional administration and the parliament in order not to share his authority. Despite this, the shāh, who was unsuccessful against the supporters of the constitutional monarchy, began to look for new ways to eliminate this new regime. However, the shāh failed again and there was only one way left for him. With the influence of the assassination carried out on him, the necessity of the constitutional monarchy was to abolish the parliament... The purpose of writing this article is to reveal the struggle of Mohammad Ali Shāh and the supporters of the constitutional monarchy to eliminate each other. In the article, firstly, the Tophane Square Events, in which the shāh’s supporters and constitutionalists took to the squares at the same time, secondly, the assassination of Mohammad Ali Shāh, and lastly, the incident of storming the parliament by the shāh, are discussed. While examining these issues, the press of the period was especially taken into consideration.