1952, July. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History

The Encyclopedia of World History. 2001.


1952, July

The shah reinstated Musaddiq as prime minister, following massive demonstrations protesting Musaddiq's earlier resignation.	1

1953, Aug. 16

The shah again tried to remove Musaddiq from office and appointed Gen. Fazlallah Zahdi as the new prime minister. Musaddiq refused to step down. After huge pro-Musaddiq demonstrations filled the streets, the shah fled the country.	2

Aug. 19

OVERTHROW OF MUSADDIQ, whose government was toppled by a combination of widespread popular protests (arranged partly through CIA funding) and the intervention of the army. Other factors in the coup included Musaddiq's alienation of the religious establishment, his unpopularity among many tribal leaders, his inept handling of landowners and army officers, and crumbling support from within the National Front. In the aftermath of the coup, the shah emerged as the major figure on the political scene.	3


The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.