ABSTRACT
In this political environment, the Dashnaktsutiun began at the end of 1911 and early 1912 to reexamine seriously its role in Iran, to question its continued relationship with the government, and to consider retreat. The party's decision to withdraw fully from Iranian politics came in autumn 1912 and was greatly influenced by Russian occupation in northern Iran, which among other consequences resulted in the devastation of the Dashnakist organizations in Azerbaijan and Gilan. Dashnakist bodies in Tabriz, Rasht, Anzali, and other areas were almost completely devastated and in great disorder; they no longer held meetings because of Russian surveillance, increased activity of reactionary, "dark elements," both Iranian and Armenian, and a lack of members. The Armenian regiment of the Iranian army was Yeprem's creation. The Tehran and Azerbaijan Central Committees twice published the decisions of the Regional Congress in the form of a circular.
