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What changes did the Constitutional Revolution bring to Iran’s government?
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Tehran
Mosque with cupola in the bazaar, Tehran.
The Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911) fundamentally altered Iran’s governance by seeking to replace the monarch’s arbitrary rule with the rule of law. Driven by a coalition of merchants, landowners, Shiʿi clergy, and intellectuals, the movement successfully forced the shah to grant a constitution in 1906.12
Key changes to the government included:
- Establishment of the Majles: The creation of the National Consultative Assembly provided a legislative body that shifted authority away from the royal court and religious authorities.21
- Legal and Institutional Reform: The new constitution established a framework for secular legislation, a new judicial code, and a free press.2
- Secularization: The government introduced secular reforms, including the establishment of various secular schools, which aimed to modernize education.2
While these institutions were intended to curb foreign intervention and limit the shah's power, their effectiveness was frequently hampered by internal political strife, the suppression of the Majles by military forces, and significant pressure from foreign powers, specifically Russia and the United Kingdom.231