The Autonomous Government of Azerbaijan (1945-1946)

The 12 December (21 Azar 1324/12 December 1945) is an important day in the history of Iranian ‎[South] Azerbaijanis.

During World War II, Iran was occupied by the Allies and Reza Shah was removed from power, after which time the winds of democracy blew in Iran. The first voice of democracy rose from Tabriz.

Jafar Pishevari announced the foundation of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (the same name as Khiabani's organization). "The party expressed that Azerbaijan will remain as part of Iran but demanded three major reforms for Azerbaijan: the use of Azerbaijani Turkish in state schools and government offices; the retention of tax revenues for the development of the region; and the establishment of the provincial assemblies promised in the constitutional laws".6 The party announced the autonomy of Azerbaijan on December 12, 1945 with Pishevari as the founder and chairman of the Azerbaijan People's Government. Tehran was strife with concern about the rising demands for ethnic rights, fearing that other ethnic minorities would soon vocalize similar demands. The Iranian government sent forces to Azerbaijan in order to crush the Azerbaijan autonomous government. The forces attacked Tabriz and the autonomous government was crushed only a year later, in December 1946. Thousands of people were killed and executed after Tabriz was occupied. Once again, demands for democracy in Iran were cut down in Tabriz.

http://www.radioazerbaijan.ca/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Azerbaijan People's Government
• Iranian Azerbaijan
• Iranian Nationalism
• آذربایجان
• فرقه دموکرات آذربایجان
• سید جعفر پیشه وری
• South Azerbaijan
• Tabriz
• Sayyed Ja'far Pishevari
• Iran
• Iranian political history
• Race Ethnicity and Language
• Ethnic minorities in Iran
• Racism in Iran
• Azerbaijani politicians
• Azeri
• Azerbaycan
• William O. Douglas
• Güney Azerbaycan
• Azerbaijani Turks
• Azerbaycan Milli Hükümeti
• Pahlavi dynasty
• World War

[rastaturk1]

Not too many in English. Iran's govt has done a wonderful job of destroying any and all literature promoting or expressing the history of Azeris. Dr Chehregani is a linguist and historian. Tehran fears a united Azerbaijan. 25 million in the south and 10 million in the north makes a 35 million strong nation. Russia and Iran are both afraid. This state would be aligned with the 80 million Turks in Turkey. This allegiance (115 million strong) would rival both Russia and Iran in the region.

[KaWeH17]

Great video, are there other articles or books I can read about the history of (south) Azerbaijan?