On the question of the Russian ultimatum of 1911 and its impact on the internal political situation in Persia

Abstract

In 1910, the Persian government appointed an American adviser, Morgan Schuster, head of the Treasury to reform the country’s financial system. Schuster’s actions endangered the position of some influential politicians in Persia from the very beginning and also antagonized Russia, which had significant interests in Persia. The contradictions between the American adviser and the Russian government were growing until in 1911 Russia presented an ultimatum to the Persian government, with a demand for the dismissal of Schuster. The Russian ultimatum led to a split among the former pro-constitutional forces and provided an opportunity for Shuster’s opponents to remove him and strengthen their position in the Majlis, which actively supported the American adviser. In the end, under pressure from Russia and with the support of the government and some top Persian politicians, the Persian government accepted the ultimatum, Shuster was forced to end his mission in Persia and the Majlis was dismissed by supporters of the ultimatum.