Iran 1919: Unveiling The Great Famine And Hidden History

Ulises Wunsch 18 Jun 2025

**The year 1919 marks a pivotal, yet often overlooked, period in the history of Iran, a time when the nation grappled with the devastating aftermath of World War I, a catastrophic famine, and complex geopolitical maneuvers that would shape its future for decades. While much of the world focused on the peace treaties being signed in Europe, Iran, then known as Persia, was reeling from an immense human tragedy and battling for its sovereignty against encroaching foreign powers. This era, particularly the Great Famine of 1917-1919, represents one of the 20th century's most profound humanitarian disasters, a dark chapter that remained largely concealed for nearly a century.** The complexities of this period, from the immense loss of life to the political machinations of empires, offer crucial insights into Iran's enduring struggles for independence and its deep-seated historical grievances. Understanding **Iran 1919** requires peeling back layers of forgotten history, challenging established narratives, and confronting the uncomfortable truths of imperial ambitions and their human cost. It is a story of resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering, a testament to the Iranian people's enduring spirit, and a critical reminder of the often-unseen consequences of global conflicts on seemingly neutral nations. This article delves into the harrowing events of the Great Famine, the political landscape dominated by the Anglo-Persian Agreement, and the long-term implications that continue to resonate in contemporary Iran.

The Unveiling of a Catastrophe: Iran's Great Famine
Estimates and Causes of the Famine
The Role of Foreign Intervention and British Forces
The Silence of History: Why the Calamity Remained Concealed
Official Narratives and Historical Omissions
Julian Bharier and the Problematic "Handbook on Iran"
The Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919: A Bid for Control
Lord Curzon's Vision and the Terms of the Treaty
Reactions and the Treaty's Ultimate Failure
Iran's Geopolitical Chessboard: World War I and Beyond
The Aftermath: Setting the Stage for Future Struggles
Remembering the Past: Recent Efforts to Unveil the Truth
Lessons from 1919: Sovereignty and Memory
Conclusion: Iran 1919 – A Legacy Revisited

The Unveiling of a Catastrophe: Iran's Great Famine

The period leading up to and including **Iran 1919** was marked by an immense humanitarian disaster, often referred to as the Great Famine or the Iranian Holocaust. This catastrophe, occurring primarily between 1917 and 1919, was, as the provided data suggests, "the biggest calamity of World War I and one of the worst genocides of the 20th century, yet it remained concealed for nearly a century." The sheer scale of human suffering during this time is difficult to comprehend, yet it has only recently begun to receive the academic and public attention it deserves.

Estimates and Causes of the Famine

The exact death toll of the Great Famine remains a subject of ongoing research and debate, with estimates varying wildly. However, even the most conservative figures paint a grim picture. "While estimates of the death toll vary between 2 to 10 million people," the consensus among mainstream views acknowledges that "about 2 million people died between 1917 and 1919 because of hunger and from diseases, which included cholera, plague and typhus, as well as influenza infected by 1918 flu pandemic." This staggering loss of life, representing a significant portion of Iran's population at the time, was not merely a consequence of natural phenomena. The famine's roots were complex, a deadly confluence of natural factors and external pressures. Droughts and crop failures certainly played a role, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in Iran's agricultural system. However, these natural challenges were severely compounded by the geopolitical realities of World War I. Despite Iran's official neutrality, its strategic location between the Russian and British empires made it an unwilling battleground. The presence of foreign armies, their requisitioning of food supplies, disruption of trade routes, and the general chaos of war, critically undermined the country's ability to feed its own population.

The Role of Foreign Intervention and British Forces

A crucial and often controversial aspect of the famine's causes points directly to "foreign military intervention, particularly by British forces." During World War I, British and Russian forces occupied various parts of Iran, ostensibly to counter German and Ottoman influence. However, their presence had devastating consequences for the local population. British forces, for instance, engaged in extensive grain purchases and requisitions to feed their troops and their allies, including the Russian White Army, and to supply India. This massive outflow of food, combined with blockades that prevented imports and disrupted internal distribution networks, created severe food shortages across the country. The British control over key transportation routes, particularly the southern ports and railways, meant that even if food was available in some regions, it could not reach the starving populations elsewhere. This strategic control, intended to secure British interests and supply lines, inadvertently (or perhaps indifferently) contributed to the widespread starvation. The historical work of scholars like Majd, an agricultural economist and historian, has been instrumental in bringing these critical details to light, providing "a comprehensive account of Iran's greatest calamity." His research highlights how the actions of foreign powers were not just a contributing factor but a significant driver of the famine's severity.

The Silence of History: Why the Calamity Remained Concealed

Despite its immense scale, the Iranian Holocaust of 1917-1919 remained largely absent from international historical discourse and even from much of Iran's own official narrative for nearly a century. This concealment is a crucial aspect of understanding **Iran 1919** and its enduring impact. The reasons for this historical amnesia are multifaceted, involving political expediency, academic oversight, and the deliberate shaping of historical records.

Official Narratives and Historical Omissions

One primary reason for the famine's concealment was the political climate of the time and the subsequent decades. The British, as a major foreign power involved in Iran, had little incentive to publicize a disaster for which their actions bore significant responsibility. Acknowledging such a catastrophe would have undermined their imperial narrative and potentially fueled anti-British sentiment. Similarly, successive Iranian governments, particularly the Pahlavi monarchy that came to power shortly after this period, also had reasons to downplay or ignore the famine. The Pahlavis, seeking to modernize and consolidate power, often preferred to focus on narratives of national strength and progress rather than on a period of immense weakness and foreign domination. The memory of such a devastating famine, linked to foreign intervention, could have been seen as a destabilizing factor or a reminder of national vulnerability. This historical omission meant that generations grew up without a full understanding of this immense tragedy. The lack of public discourse and official recognition allowed the memory to fade, becoming a subject of oral history and fragmented personal accounts rather than a central part of national memory or international historical study.

Julian Bharier and the Problematic "Handbook on Iran"

The academic world also played an unwitting role in perpetuating this silence. As the provided data highlights, "The foreign office 'handbook on Iran' of 1919 mentioned nothing related to the great famine." This official British document, intended to provide comprehensive information on Iran, conspicuously omitted any mention of the ongoing catastrophe. This omission had significant repercussions for later scholarship. "Julian Bharier, a scholar who studied Iran’s population, built his 'backward projection' estimation of Iran’s population (13) based on reports from this 'handbook' and, as a result, ignored the effect of the great famine on Iran’s." Bharier's work, while significant in its own right, inadvertently contributed to the historical blind spot by relying on a source that deliberately excluded the famine. This illustrates how official documents, even when seemingly authoritative, can shape historical understanding by what they choose to include and, more importantly, what they omit. The reliance on such incomplete sources meant that for decades, demographic studies and historical analyses of Iran's population did not adequately account for the millions lost during the famine, thus further obscuring its memory and impact. It took the dedicated work of historians like Majd to meticulously piece together evidence from various archives, including those previously inaccessible, to finally bring this forgotten chapter to light.

The Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919: A Bid for Control

Amidst the humanitarian crisis of the famine, the year **Iran 1919** was also defined by a significant political development: the signing of the Anglo-Persian Agreement. This treaty, while seemingly aimed at stabilizing Iran, was widely perceived as a thinly veiled attempt by Britain to establish a protectorate over the country, further eroding its sovereignty.

Lord Curzon's Vision and the Terms of the Treaty

The Anglo-Persian Agreement was, as the data states, "Der vertrag kam auf initiative des britischen außenministers lord curzon zu stande" (The treaty came about on the initiative of British Foreign Minister Lord Curzon). Lord Curzon, a staunch imperialist and former Viceroy of India, envisioned Iran as a crucial buffer state protecting British India from Russian expansion and as a source of oil. With the collapse of the Russian Empire after the Bolshevik Revolution, Curzon saw an opportune moment to solidify British influence in the region. The agreement, "August 1919 von vertretern der britischen und iranischen regierung unterzeichnet" (signed in August 1919 by representatives of the British and Iranian governments), stipulated that Britain would provide Iran with a loan, military and administrative advisors, and support for its economic development. In return, Iran would effectively place its army and finances under British control, consult with Britain on foreign policy, and grant Britain preferential economic rights. "Der vertrag sollte die grundlage der beziehungen zwischen dem iran und dem vereinigten königreich neu regeln" (The treaty was intended to re-regulate the basis of relations between Iran and the United Kingdom), but in practice, it aimed to transform Iran into a de facto British satellite.

Reactions and the Treaty's Ultimate Failure

The signing of the Anglo-Persian Agreement was met with widespread opposition both within Iran and internationally. Many Iranians, including prominent religious leaders (ulama), intellectuals, and nationalists, viewed it as a betrayal of national sovereignty and a further humiliation after years of foreign interference. They saw it as an attempt to formalize British dominance rather than genuinely assist Iran. The Iranian parliament (Majlis), though dissolved at the time of signing, ultimately refused to ratify the treaty when it reconvened. Internationally, the agreement also faced criticism. The United States, advocating for self-determination, and the newly formed Soviet Union, wary of British expansion, voiced their disapproval. This international pressure, combined with strong domestic resistance, ultimately led to the treaty's failure. It was never fully implemented and was formally abrogated in 1921 following a coup that brought Reza Khan, the future Reza Shah Pahlavi, to power. The failure of the 1919 agreement, however, did not diminish British interest in Iran, nor did it quell the deep-seated Iranian resentment towards foreign interference, issues that would continue to define Iran's foreign policy and internal politics for decades.

Iran's Geopolitical Chessboard: World War I and Beyond

The events of **Iran 1919** cannot be fully understood without appreciating Iran's precarious position on the geopolitical chessboard during and after World War I. For centuries, Iran had been a battleground for competing imperial ambitions, primarily those of Russia and Britain. "From the days when Napoleon conceived the idea of invading India with the help of Alexander I, the Tsar of..." Russia, Iran's strategic importance as a land bridge to India and a source of vital resources was firmly established. During World War I, despite declaring neutrality, Iran was effectively partitioned into spheres of influence by the warring powers. Russian forces occupied the north, British forces the south, and Ottoman and German agents stirred up tribal unrest and anti-Allied sentiment. This foreign military presence, as discussed, directly contributed to the famine by disrupting agriculture and supply chains. The war not only devastated the Iranian population but also severely weakened the Qajar dynasty, which was already struggling with internal instability and financial woes. The chaos of the war, coupled with the famine and the attempted imposition of the Anglo-Persian Agreement, created a power vacuum that ultimately paved the way for the rise of a new, more centralized, and authoritarian regime under Reza Khan. The provided data notes that "This book also includes a new chapter with a detailed military and political history of Iran in World War I," underscoring the critical importance of understanding this broader context.

The Aftermath: Setting the Stage for Future Struggles

The legacy of **Iran 1919** extended far beyond the immediate years of famine and political turmoil. The trauma of the Great Famine, though suppressed, left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness. The failed Anglo-Persian Agreement fueled a deep-seated distrust of foreign powers, particularly Britain, which would become a defining characteristic of Iranian foreign policy. The weakness of the Qajar dynasty, exposed by its inability to protect its people from famine or resist foreign encroachment, led to its eventual overthrow. The coup of 1921 and the subsequent establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925 marked a new era for Iran. Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the dynasty, sought to modernize and centralize the state, build a strong national army, and assert Iran's independence from foreign interference. However, his authoritarian rule and secularizing reforms often clashed with traditional religious institutions and elements of Iranian society. The seeds of future conflict were sown in this period. "By 1931, resistance to the Pahlavi regime and the harsh response thereto set the stage for a long struggle between the Pahlavi monarchy and the ulama that ended with the Islamic Revolution in 1979." The Pahlavi regime's attempts to forge a modern, secular nation-state, often at the expense of religious and traditional authorities, created deep fissures in Iranian society. The memory of foreign domination and the desire for true national sovereignty continued to simmer, contributing to the revolutionary fervor that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the monarchy decades later. The photograph of "The last Shah of Iran presents his portrait to the first prime minister of Pakistan—a remarkable association piece" serves as a poignant reminder of the Pahlavi era's attempts to project a modern, independent image, even as the historical wounds of the early 20th century continued to fester beneath the surface.

Remembering the Past: Recent Efforts to Unveil the Truth

For decades, the Great Famine of **Iran 1919** remained a largely forgotten tragedy. However, in recent years, there has been a concerted effort to bring this dark chapter of Iranian history into the light. "For the first time since the Islamic Revolution, the government made efforts to unveil the memory of the GPF" (Great Persian Famine). This renewed interest is part of a broader trend in historical scholarship and public discourse to acknowledge past injustices and ensure that such immense human suffering is not forgotten. The work of scholars like Mohammad Gholi Majd has been instrumental in this process. "When Majd, an agricultural economist and historian, published," his meticulous research, drawing on previously unexamined archives and historical documents, provided undeniable evidence of the famine's scale and its complex causes, including the significant role of foreign intervention. His book, described as "A work of enduring value, Majd provides a comprehensive account of Iran's greatest calamity," has been crucial in challenging the long-standing silence surrounding the famine. These efforts are not merely academic; they are vital for national healing, for understanding the historical roots of contemporary issues, and for ensuring that the memory of millions of lost lives is finally honored.

Lessons from 1919: Sovereignty and Memory

The events of **Iran 1919** offer profound lessons that resonate today. Firstly, they underscore the devastating impact of geopolitical conflicts on neutral nations. Iran's experience during World War I serves as a stark reminder that even declared neutrality offers little protection when powerful empires are at war and view a nation as merely a strategic territory. The famine highlights the critical importance of national sovereignty and the ability of a state to protect its own population and manage its resources without undue foreign interference. Secondly, the long-term concealment of the famine emphasizes the power of historical narratives and the dangers of historical amnesia. When tragedies of such magnitude are suppressed, it not only denies justice to the victims but also distorts national identity and prevents a full understanding of historical grievances. The recent efforts to unveil the memory of the Great Famine are crucial for historical accuracy and for recognizing the full spectrum of Iran's past. This process of remembering is vital for national healing and for informing future policy, ensuring that the lessons learned from such a catastrophic period are not lost to time.

Conclusion: Iran 1919 – A Legacy Revisited

The year **Iran 1919** stands as a somber testament to a period of profound suffering and geopolitical vulnerability. It was a time when millions perished in a largely forgotten famine, exacerbated by foreign military intervention, and when the nation's sovereignty was severely tested by imperial ambitions, epitomized by the Anglo-Persian Agreement. The long silence surrounding the Great Famine, a tragedy of immense proportions, underscores the complex interplay of political interests, historical narratives, and academic oversight that can shape our understanding of the past. However, thanks to the dedicated work of historians and recent efforts to unveil this hidden history, the memory of the Iranian Holocaust is finally being brought to light. This crucial re-examination of **Iran 1919** is not just an academic exercise; it is an essential step towards acknowledging a monumental human tragedy, understanding the deep historical roots of Iran's national identity and foreign policy, and learning vital lessons about the fragility of peace and the enduring importance of national sovereignty. We encourage readers to delve deeper into the works of scholars like Majd and Bharier, and to explore other historical accounts that shed light on this critical period. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider exploring other articles on our site that delve into the rich and complex history of Iran.

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