Prelude: The phenomenon of nationalism in Iran, like in many other countries, has gone through different and distinct periods, penetrating Iranian society during these stages. A common point among all the countries where this Western phenomenon has emerged is that it has primarily been introduced by those propagating Western ideas. In this part of the research, we will examine “Nationalism in Iran in Different Periods.”
Nationalism in Iran
Nationalism in its modern sense first emerged as a result of Iranians, particularly intellectuals, coming into contact with Western ideas in the 19th century. Factors such as the confrontation of traditional and backward Iranian society with the advanced powers of the time, namely the British and Russian empires, along with their humiliating treatment of the Iranian government and people, were significant motivations for Iranian intellectuals to understand European civilization and explore the causes of Iran’s backwardness. Sending Iranian students to the West to acquire new sciences and technologies laid the groundwork for an introduction to Western culture and civilization, as well as the intellectual developments in Europe following the Industrial and French Revolutions.
Nationalism in Iran has its roots in Iranians’ familiarity with modern Western ideas. Western-oriented intellectuals were the first group to promote this concept, believing that accepting Western ideas was essential for Iran’s progress. They viewed Western civilization as a symbol of advancement and argued that the only way to escape backwardness was to embrace this civilization fully. However, many thinkers contended that Western civilization was superficial and empty, its inadequacies likely to become apparent over time.
One Iranian writer observed about nationalism: “Nationalism in our country has a century-long history, and the first manifestation of Iranian nationality can be seen in the Tobacco Movement, an event led by a religious authority. Iranian thinkers became seriously acquainted with the issues and teachings of Western society for the first time. Simultaneously, the numerous political, social, and economic disorders facing the government and society provided a platform for nationalism to be proposed as a solution.”
With the victory of the French Revolution in 1168 AH, which coincided with the end of the Zand dynasty, a wave of nationalism reached Iran. During the Qajar period, this idea gradually took hold, peaking during the Pahlavi period, especially during the nationalization of the oil industry. The dispatch of Iranian students to Europe, the publication of Persian-language newspapers abroad, and political and business travels laid the foundation for the formation and dissemination of nationalist ideas.
Nationalism in Iran developed gradually and systematically. By examining the history of Iran, it becomes clear that this idea emerged in several distinct periods. Below, we will briefly discuss its most important phases:
Nationalism in the Qajar Period
In the 19th century, nationalism, supported by the regime, was cultivated by intellectuals in society and proponents of the Iranian national idea. Among the prominent intellectuals contributing to this movement were Mirza Fathali Akhundzadeh (1812-1878 AD/1191-1275 AH), Abdolrahim Talbuf (1834-1909 AD/1213-1288 AH), and Ahmad Kasravi (1890-1948 AD/1269-1325 AH).
From the mid-Qajar period, the intellectual and social foundations of the ideological nationalist movement were established through the works and writings of Mirza Fathali Akhundzadeh, and later Jalal al-Din Mirza Qajar and Mirza Agha Khan Kermani. The intellectuals of this period, by accepting the Western model of progress, became symbols of the nationalist movement and the modern middle class, playing an effective role in the proliferation of these ideas.
The nationalist ideas of this era represented a diverse amalgamation of the views and thoughts of Iranian writers and intellectuals who directly or indirectly addressed concepts such as sovereignty, nationhood, law, and the rejection of colonialism and tyranny. This group of intellectuals became the first carriers and theorists of nationalism, emphasizing it as a nation-building ideology. They transformed nationalist ideas into new concepts with a modernist approach in their writings and speeches, disseminating them among social groups, particularly urban residents, through the communication technologies of the time. These efforts, while limited, significantly contributed to shaping the Iranian mentality regarding land, territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and national interests.
Nationalism in the Constitutional Era
During the Constitutional Era, tendencies towards religion and faith were dominant as the primary components of Iranian identity. However, both secular and Islamic nationalism gained strength under the influence of constitutionalist activities and came to be one of the basic pillars of the constitutional movement. After the Constitutional Revolution, this idea persisted as a potent political force. During this period, various concepts of nationalist thought entered the political and cultural arenas in Iran. Some leaders and activists of the Constitutional Revolution emphasized the importance of nationalism in their speeches, writings, and activities, underscoring its relevance in various matters while advocating for modernity and patriotism.
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