Day 2 - Constitutional Revolution in Iran

The cultural change in Iranian society which began to surface by the end of the 19th century, finally came to fruition at the beginning of the 20th century. Intellectuals, warriors, clerics and simply ordinary people, united under the banner of revolution, marched forth to preach ideas the greatness of which only few realized. Under the legal protection of the order of the dying Mozaffareddin Shah, the first Iranian parliament was formed. The press started talking about concepts which were strange and hard to comprehend for ordinary Persians. A sort of renaissance began and forever changed the course of Iranian history. In this class, we are going to read about the role of the Armenians of Iran in this whole process and watch video materials about the Constitutional Revolution of Iran.

  1. Curriculum
  2. Intermediate Persian Syllabus
  3. Week 8 - Historical Persian (Modern History)
  4. Day 2 - Constitutional Revolution in Iran  

Reading: An article published by Payman Online about Yeprem Khan, an Armenian revolutionary who played a key role in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. 

In addition, students can find here a supplementary article exploring the broader role Armenians played in the Constitutional Revolution.

Listening: In this episode of an analytical program called Cheshmandaz (Iran International), the guests  discuss the role of intellectuals and the clergy in the Constitutional Revolution of Iran.

Subject of Conversation: Should democracy be imported to the society from abroad or should it be the result of the natural growth of the society itself? (آیا دموکراسی باید از خارج به جامعه وارد شود یا باید نتیجهٔ رشد طبیعی خود جامعه باشد؟)

Students will engage in a discussion on whether democratic values should emerge organically within a society or be introduced from external influences. Using the context of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution, students will reflect on the role of local intellectuals, clergy, and foreign ideas in shaping political change. This conversation will encourage critical thinking while reinforcing key vocabulary related to governance, reform, and revolution history.

Homework:
- Please carefully read today’s main article and study the vocabulary. 
- Watch at least half of the Cheshmandaz discussion and assess your level of comprehension.
- Choose 4 words or phrases from today’s vocabulary. For each one, write a Persian definition, an original sentence using the word in the context of the Constitutional Revolution and a short explanation (in Persian) of why the word is important in understanding the topic.
- Prepare for tomorrow’s discussion.