How did WWI shape the future of Iran?

WWI significantly shaped Iran's future by leading to political instability, economic hardship, and the rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi.

The First World War had a profound impact on Iran, then known as Persia, which was neutral but nonetheless suffered greatly due to the strategic interests of the warring powers. The country was effectively divided into spheres of influence by Britain and Russia, leading to political instability and a loss of sovereignty that would shape Iran's future.

The war brought economic hardship to Iran. The British and Russian armies requisitioned food and fuel, leading to shortages and inflation. The disruption of trade and the destruction of crops and infrastructure caused widespread famine and disease, killing an estimated 2 million Iranians, nearly a quarter of the population. This economic devastation led to social unrest and a loss of faith in the Qajar dynasty, paving the way for the rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi.

Reza Shah Pahlavi, an officer in the Persian Cossack Brigade, seized power in a coup d'etat in 1921. He was initially supported by the British, who saw him as a bulwark against Bolshevik influence. As Shah, he embarked on a programme of modernisation and centralisation, establishing a strong central government and reducing the power of the tribal leaders and the clergy. He also sought to reduce foreign influence, renegotiating oil concessions and seeking to balance British and Russian interests.

The legacy of WWI in Iran can be seen in the country's ongoing struggle for sovereignty and its suspicion of foreign interference. The political instability and economic hardship caused by the war led to the rise of a strong, centralised state under Reza Shah Pahlavi. His modernisation efforts laid the groundwork for Iran's later development, but his autocratic rule also sowed the seeds of discontent that would eventually lead to the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The war also left a deep scar on the Iranian psyche, contributing to a sense of national victimhood and a desire for self-determination that continues to shape Iran's relations with the outside world.