Research On The Evolution Of British Policy Towards Persia During The First World War

From the 19th century to the early 20th century,Persia had always been the great game of diplomatic rivalry between the major imperial powers.Britain,Russia,Germany and the Ottoman empire took Persia as the front line of contention.The intertwining of various contradictions made Persian conflicts frequent and war unceasing.The invasion of colonial powers plunged Persia into trouble.The partition occupation of Persia by Britain and Russia during World War I was an inevitable result of the division of influence between the two sides.Throughout the development of British and Persian relations,the interaction played a pivotal role in connecting the preceding and the following.It is not only a summary of the relations between the two sides from the late 19th century to the early 20th century,but also laid the basis for the Anglo-Soviet's occupation of Persia after the World War ?.This paper discusses the evolution of British policy towards Persia during World War I from the perspective of Britain,this thesis contains five parts:The first part:It traces the historical relationship between Persia and the Britain,Russia,Ottoman empire and Germany before the World War I.This part focuses on the evolution of the British policy towards Persia,which has experienced four stages of development,the British strategic interest in Persia and the British strategy before the outbreak of the World War I.The second part:Analysis the Britain's specific implementation of the policy of"military occupation".In the early period of 1914-1916,Britain was faced with the rise and challenges of Russia,Germany and Ottoman forces,and the space for development was restricted.Mainly concentrated in the neutral zone of Persia to expand,but under the pressure of Germany and Persian pro-German faction,the Britain's invasion was thwarted.The third part:This part was about the late period of 1916-1918,when Britain made a comeback and gradually controlled the southern Persian region,Russia withdrew from the stage of Persian history after the Russian Revolution,and the vacuum of power in the north changed the situation.Britain successfully entered the northern Persia without checks and balances,and completed its occupation of Persia as a whole.Then Britain began to interfere in the political field,foster leaders and strengthen ties with local tribal leaders to achieve complete control.Persia was oppressed by Western powers,social contradictions were on the verge of intensification,Persian nationalists pursue their independence,freedom,and expel the foreign forces as the primary goal,then the "Jangali" movement broke out,the Persian nationalism and the consciousness of resistance were rising.The forth part:Focusing on the formation and operation of the "South Persian Rifles" under the leadership of the Britain,and its efforts to safeguard the interests of South Persia.In response to the Germany's threat to Britain's growing commercial interests and strategic position in South Persia,the British Foreign Office reached an agreement with the Persian government in August 1916.The establishment of a South Persian Rifles mainly under the command of British officers,which played a key role in maintaining regional security and protecting Britain's interests in South Persia.But in case of the divisions within the army,as well as the combination of German covert operations and Persian nationalist uprisings,eventually led to its dissolution.The fifth part:This part is mainly to summarize the characteristics and influence of British policy to Persia during World War I.Analyzing the success and failure of Britain,it's helpful to expand China's influence on the international stage and to confront hegemony,and has a great significance of establishing the friendly relations with all the countries.The conclusion part analyzes the influence factors of British occupation of Persia,mainly from the aspects of geopolitics,British diplomatic strategy and Persia's limitation,and discusses the experience and lessons of the occupation event on the international politics.