ABSTRACT
After the war, Iran depended more than ever on foreigners. The national debt and the corruption of the political elite reached a high point. Defending national sovereignty became Iranians' primary concern, regardless of their origins. The appearance of nationalism was a worldwide phenomenon at the start of the twentieth century. In Iran, the presence of an exceptionally rich and living historical memory—that of ancient Persia—favored the rapid development of political nationalism. By definition, nationalism is patriotism rooted in specific national experiences of which it claims to be the guardian and the strongest expression. By switching to nationalism, political conservatives also converted to the modern world, first to the idea of progress, then to the need for practical orientation of political action toward the future. Reza Shah's patriotism supported the nationalist movement. Immediately following his coronation, he hoped to place Iran firmly in the twentieth century.
