Jonah Patel
The Iranian Constitution was established in 1906, with amendments through 1989, as a result of the Persian Constitutional Revolution. The revolution was sparked by a dispute over sugar prices in 1905 and was driven by a desire to curb royal authority and establish the rule of law in the face of growing colonial influence, particularly from Russia and Britain. The constitution was written by Hassan Pirnia, Hossein Pirnia, and Esmail Momtaz od-Dowleh, among others, and was based on the Quran and the Belgian Constitution, guaranteeing equality before the law and safeguarding personal honour, property, and freedom of speech. The Iranian Constitution has evolved over time, reflecting the country's revolutionary developments and ideological shifts, with the 1979 Constitution establishing an Islamic Republic with a focus on Islamic norms and values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for establishment | To establish an ideal and model society based on Islamic norms and to realize the ideological objectives of the movement |
| Year of establishment | 1906 (first constitution), 1979 (second constitution) |
| Authors | Hassan Pirnia, Hossein Pirnia, Esmail Momtaz od-Dowleh, and others |
| Previous government | Monarchy |
| Previous leader | Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar |
| Current type of government | Islamic republic |
| Current leader | Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei |
| Electoral laws | Defined in 1906, with specific groups (e.g. women, foreigners, those under 25) not permitted to vote |
| Legislative branch | Bicameral legislature consisting of the National Consultative Assembly and the Senate |
| Judicial norms | Traditionally based on Sharia law, but the constitution is secular |
| Equality | Grants equal rights among men and women |
| Freedom of belief | Investigation of individuals' beliefs forbidden; freedom of belief protected |
| Freedom of assembly | Allowed, as long as arms are not carried and assemblies are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam |
| Freedom of the press | Allowed, as long as it is not harmful to the principles of Islam or the rights of the public |
| Citizenship | Can be acquired by foreign nationals within the framework of the laws; can be revoked if another state accepts them as citizens or if they request it |
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What You'll Learn
The Persian Constitution of 1906
The financial crisis under Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, characterized by excessive government spending and mounting debts to foreign powers, further fueled the revolutionary sentiments. The Shah's concessions to foreign powers on trade items and the negative impact on the Iranian people, as seen in the tobacco protest of 1891-1892, contributed to the rising discontent.
The electoral laws of 1906 established the electoral system and the internal frameworks of the Majlis (Parliament) and the Senate. The electoral law of 9 September 1906 defined the voting regulations, stipulating that women, foreigners, individuals under 25, those with criminal records, active military personnel, and several other groups were not permitted to vote. Members of the parliament were required to be fully literate in Persian, Iranian subjects of Iranian extraction, locally known, not in government employment, between 30 and 70 years old, and have some insight into state affairs.
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The anti-despotic movement for constitutional government
At the turn of the 20th century, Iran faced a financial crisis due to the excessive expenditures of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, which far outweighed the government's revenues. This led the Shah to borrow large sums from Russia and Britain, granting them concessions on trade items such as weapons and tobacco. The tobacco protest of 1891-1892, sparked by a concession granted to an Englishman, was the first mass nationwide popular movement in Iran and a precursor to the Constitutional Revolution.
As Iran's financial situation worsened, the aristocracy, religious authorities, and educated elite began to demand a curb on royal authority and the establishment of the rule of law. They were particularly concerned about growing foreign influence, especially from Russia. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and the Russian Revolution of 1905 further bolstered the Iranian opposition movement, as Asians celebrated the defeat of a European power by an Asian one.
The Constitutional Revolution began in 1905 with public protests sparked by a dispute over sugar prices. A governor in Tehran ordered that some sugar merchants be punished for refusing to lower their prices, which led to widespread demonstrations. Between 12,000 and 14,000 protestors gathered, demanding the formation of a majlis, or parliament.
Under pressure, the Shah issued a decree in August 1906 calling for the formation of a national assembly. The first majlis convened in October 1906 and began drafting the constitution. The Persian Constitution of 1906, written by Hassan Pirnia, Hossein Pirnia, and others, established the electoral system and internal frameworks of the Majlis (Parliament) and the Senate. It was based on the Quran and partially modelled after the Belgian constitution, guaranteeing citizens equality before the law and safeguarding personal honour, property, and speech.
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The anti-colonialist movement for the nationalization of petroleum
The Iranian Constitution was established in 1906, known as the Persian Constitution, and was the result of the Persian Constitutional Revolution. It was the first constitution of the country, then known as the Sublime State of Iran or Persia. The constitution was written by several key figures, including Hassan Pirnia, Hossein Pirnia, and Esmail Momtaz od-Dowleh.
The tobacco protest of 1891-1892 is considered a precursor to the anti-colonialist movement and the Constitutional Revolution. Iranians protested against a concession granted by Naser al-Din Shah to an Englishman, Baron Paul Julius Reuter, which gave him a 50-year monopoly over the distribution and export of tobacco. This concession threatened the livelihoods of a significant portion of the Iranian population and led to widespread discontent.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and the Russian Revolution of 1905 further bolstered the growing Iranian opposition movement. The defeat of a European power by an Asian power, and the revolution in Russia, inspired Iranians and strengthened their resolve to resist colonial influence. The country was also facing a financial crisis due to the extravagant spending of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, which led to increased concessions to foreign powers and growing concern about foreign debt and influence.
As a result of these factors, there was a growing demand for a curb on royal authority and the establishment of a constitution to protect the rights and interests of the Iranian people. The anti-colonialist movement, including the nationalization of petroleum, was a key aspect of this struggle for independence and self-determination. The movement sought to reduce foreign influence and control over Iran's natural resources and economy, and to establish a more equitable and just society.
The Iranian Constitution of 1906, and its subsequent revisions, reflected these aspirations and ideals. It established a bicameral legislature, with a National Consultative Assembly and a Senate, and guaranteed certain rights and freedoms, including equality before the law, freedom of speech, and social and economic rights. The constitution also declared Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion, with a council of clerics tasked with ensuring that the laws passed by the parliament were in accordance with Islamic law.
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The tobacco protest of 1891-1892
The Iranian Constitution was established in 1906, but the events leading up to it began as early as 1891. The tobacco protest of 1891-1892, also known as the "dress rehearsal for the... Constitutional Revolution", was the first mass nationwide popular movement in Iran. It was formed from an anti-imperialist and antimonarchist coalition of clerics, merchants, and dissident intellectuals.
The protest was sparked by a concession made by Naser al-Din Shah in March 1890. He granted an Englishman, Baron Paul Julius Reuter, a 50-year monopoly over the distribution and exportation of tobacco. In exchange, the Shah received £25,000 personally, and the state was to receive £15,000 annually. Iranians cultivated a variety of tobacco that was highly prized in foreign markets and was not grown elsewhere. The arrangement threatened the job security of a significant portion of the Iranian population, including hundreds of thousands of workers in agriculture and the bazaars.
The protest first erupted among the bazaari, the merchants, and then spread to the ulama, the clerics. This was a significant event because it brought together two groups that had previously been at odds with each other. The tobacco protest was the first time that Iranians from all walks of life united against a common enemy—the Shah and foreign influence.
The tobacco protest was a pivotal moment in Iranian history, as it was the first time that the Iranian people successfully challenged the Shah's authority. It also marked the beginning of the end for Naser al-Din Shah, who was assassinated in 1896. His successor, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, faced a financial crisis due to the extravagant spending of his father. To make matters worse, he relied heavily on foreign loans, further increasing the influence of Russia and Britain in Iran.
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The Iranian Islamic Republic Constitution of 1979
The constitution was drafted by Hassan Habibi while Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was in exile in Paris. It was structured similarly to the 1958 French Fifth Republic constitution, with a separation of powers between the executive, judicial, and parliamentary branches. It was reworked by two commissions before being published as the official preliminary draft by the provisional government of Mehdi Bazargan.
The constitution sets forth the political, social, cultural, and economic institutions of Iranian society, based on Islamic principles and norms. It grants equal rights to men and women, and freedom of religion for Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, who hold full citizenship. However, non-Muslims cannot assume leadership posts and must vote in separate colleges.
The constitution guarantees freedom of the press and assembly, provided they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam. It also ensures social insurance and economic protection for all citizens, including the right to shelter, food, clothing, hygiene, medical treatment, education, and employment.
The Iranian Constitution of 1979 has been amended once, in 1989, with the addition of two new articles and the expansion of several chapters.
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Frequently asked questions
The Persian Constitution of 1906 was Iran's first constitution. It was the result of the Persian Constitutional Revolution and was based on the Quran and the Belgian constitution.
The 1906 Constitution established an electoral system and a bicameral legislature, consisting of the National Consultative Assembly and the Senate. It also declared Twelver Shi'ism as the state religion.
The Persian Constitutional Revolution (1905-1907) was caused by a variety of factors, including growing anti-colonial sentiment, a desire to curb royal authority, and the influence of the Russo-Japanese War and the Russian Revolution of 1905.
The Iranian Constitution of 1979 (revised in 1989) aimed to establish an Islamic Republic and included provisions for the protection of Islamic values, equal rights for men and women, and social and economic rights for citizens.
