Iran: The Impact of October

http://www.solidarity-us.org/node/5132
Date Written:  2017-11-01
Publisher:  Against the Current
Year Published:  2017
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21718

The Russian Revolution had a profound influence on the revolutionary movement in the countries neighbouring the new Soviet Republic, and Iran was no exception.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

In 1905 a number of Iranian immigrants who worked in the Baku oilfields and were exposed to socialist ideas founded the Social-Democratic Party of Iran (SDPI/Ferqa-ye Ijtimaiiyun-e 'Amiyun-e Iran). Soon after its foundation, the party moved its headquarters from Azerbaijan to Iran and became involved in the Constitutional Revolution (1905-1911).

Through its branches in major cities, including Tabriz, the SDPI was allowed to introduce more radical ideas in the debates around the constitutional revolution, critical of the clergy and presenting a mixture of liberal and nationalist, Islamic ideas.

The party advocated the redistribution of lands to peasants, reforms in child labor, an eight-hour work day for factory employees, and other similar social democratic measures.