The Iranians and the National Movement for Nationalization of oil Industry

Seyyed Mostafa Taqavi

Undoubtedly, oil is one of the main factors playing a leading role inIran's economy, which has led to many important events in Iranian history. Perhaps when Mozaffaroddin Shah and his premier granted the oil concession to William Knox D'Arcy in 1901, they did not know this new material lying under the earth surface, and were not aware of its importance in the international relations, besides to that of in the fate of our country.

Following the success of the constitutional movement, the national parliaments though did not cancel the contract, they did not ratify it. As oil got much more weight in the industrial cycle of the world, the British became much concerned about their continuation of oil exploitation. They wished to give it a formal feature, so that with any changes in governments, their interests would not suffer the least fluctuations. One of the main goals of the 1919 contract, and 1920 coup was to pave the path for this demand.

It was in such a context that the Iranian governments ofter the coup decided to revise the contract. Some people including Teymourtash and Davar followed this question attentively. The world economic crisis of 1931-1932, and the fall of oil price in the markets which led to the fall ofIran's income, prepared the conditions for rivising of the contract. The course of events and the attitude of the British and the oil officials proved that they were more eager than Iranians for the revision. Some historians believe that it was the policy of thegreat Britainto lower the price of oil and provide the ground for the contract revision. The hagglings over the contract led to nothing. So Kadman threatened to leaveIranand personally asked Reza Shah to intervene in the negotiations. Following some events such as burning of the oil file in fire place, Reza Shah made it understood that the revised form of the contract prepared by the oil company's members should be signed, and be ratified by Majlis members. He had also ordered that the press and the Majlis not to speak or write anything about this question.

Following September 1941, when people and their cultural and political representatives found their way to the political scene, and Iran became the arena of the great power's rivalry, oil question again became the prominent subject of the circles. Again the British attempted to have the Gass-Golshaeyan contract ratified by Majlis in the same manner as the 1933 contract was ratified. But the minority of the Majlis succeeded to prevent it and actually it was the sixteenth Majlis which should finalize the oil question. However, it was evident that the minority cannot nationalize the oil on its own. The British put Razmara at the head of the cabinet to prevent the process. The active role of people and the elimination of Razmara led other politicians and Majlis members to join the movement which eventually ended in the nationalization of oil industry.
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