Timeline of the Abadan Crisis facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Abadan Crisis was a big event in Iran's history, starting when the British government became interested in the oil found in southwest Iran in 1908. Even though the oil was on Iranian land, the British claimed it. They made local Iranians, who were often poor, work in dangerous oil refineries to collect it. The British then sold this oil to other countries, making huge profits, but they kept most of the money from the Iranian government and its people.

In 1951, Mohammed Mosaddeq, who was Iran's leader chosen by the people, decided to take control of the oil for Iran. This meant the money from Iran's oil would finally go to its own people. He closed down the British Anglo-Iranian Oil Company's oil refinery in Abadan. This made the British and the United States governments very unhappy. In 1953, the CIA (a US intelligence agency) helped plan a secret operation that removed Mosaddeq from power. This allowed the Shah (Iran's king) to rule with complete control for 26 years, until he was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution.

How the Crisis Began
Mosaddeq Becomes Prime Minister
Mosaddeq's Power Grows and Faces Challenges
Opposition to Mosaddeq Grows
The Referendum and the Coup
See also

How the Crisis Began

1908: Oil is found in southwest Iran. The British claim it and start the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC).
1925: Mohammed Mosaddeq starts to become known for his strong beliefs. He speaks out against the Shah (the king) at the time.
1941: The old Shah is removed, and his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, becomes king. Mosaddeq becomes a popular hero again.
1946-1949: A group called the National Front forms. Their main goal is to get Iran's oil back from British control. Mosaddeq becomes a leader in this group.
1946 (March): Oil workers in Abadan go on strike. They want better homes, healthcare, and fair working conditions. The British bring in other workers to break the strike. This shows how unfairly the British treated the workers.
1949 (May): The British offer a new oil deal. It promises some money to Iran but gives Iran no say in how the company is run. The British company chairman even dismisses Iran's Prime Minister. This makes Iranians even more determined to take back their oil.
1950 (Summer): A new American ambassador arrives in Iran. Thousands of Iranians protest, and some are killed. This shows how much anti-Western feeling there was.
1950 (November): A special group in Iran's parliament, led by Mosaddeq, rejects the British oil deal. This pushes the idea of taking over the oil industry even further.
1950 (December): Iran learns that another oil company is sharing profits equally with Saudi Arabia. The British refuse to do the same with Iran, making their offer look even worse.
1951 (January): A huge rally in Tehran demands that the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company be taken over by Iran. Religious leaders also support this idea.
1951 (March 7): The Prime Minister, who was against taking over the oil industry, is killed. This makes other politicians afraid to oppose the idea.
1951 (March 15-20): Iran's parliament votes to take over the oil industry.
1951 (Early April): More strikes and protests happen in the oil industry. Britain sends warships to protect its people and property. Because of this, Mosaddeq is offered the job of Prime Minister to make the oil takeover happen.

Mosaddeq Becomes Prime Minister

1951 (April 29): Mosaddeq is voted Prime Minister. Iranians celebrate him as a hero.
1951 (May 1): The Shah signs a law that officially takes back the oil from the British company and creates the National Iranian Oil Company.
1951 (May 26): The British government complains to the International Court of Justice. But the court later rules in favor of Iran.
1951 (June): Mosaddeq sends a team to the oil facilities in Khuzestan to take them over for Iran.
1951 (July): Mosaddeq stops talks with the British oil company because they threaten to pull out their workers and warn other countries not to buy Iranian oil. This makes the conflict worse.
1951 (July 15): A US diplomat tries to help solve the crisis, but he is met with huge protests in Tehran. More than 20 people are killed.
1951 (August 22): The British government starts to punish Iran economically. They stop selling important goods like sugar and steel to Iran. They also pull out most of their oil workers and block Iran's money in British banks. This makes Iran's economy worse.
1951 (September): The British oil company removes its experts and closes the oil facilities. The British government sends more navy ships to the Persian Gulf.
1951 (October 19): Mosaddeq travels to the United States to speak at the United Nations. The UN decides to delay discussing the issue, which is a big loss for the British.
1951 (October 23): Mosaddeq goes to Washington D.C. to ask the US for financial help, but he doesn't get any. Iran's economy continues to struggle.
1952 (July): The British navy stops an Italian oil tanker carrying Iranian oil, claiming the oil was stolen. This scares away other countries from buying oil from Iran.
1952 (July): The British boycott is working. Iranians are becoming poorer and unhappier. Mosaddeq's support starts to weaken.

Mosaddeq's Power Grows and Faces Challenges

1952 (July 16): Mosaddeq wants to choose his own War Minister, but the Shah refuses. Mosaddeq resigns and asks the public for support. People protest and demand Mosaddeq's return.
1952 (July 21): After five days of big protests where 29 people are killed, the Shah gives in and asks Mosaddeq to form a new government. This is a huge win for Mosaddeq, and the Shah loses more power.
1952 (July 23): Mosaddeq asks parliament for special "emergency powers" for six months. He wants to make new laws to fix the economy and make other important changes.
1952 (August): The US and Britain announce they are working together. They say Iran should pay the British oil company for taking over its assets. Mosaddeq demands money from the British for not paying Iran enough in the past. This makes it harder for Mosaddeq to use the US against the British.
1952 (October): Mosaddeq orders the British embassy in Iran to close after finding out they were planning to overthrow him. This stops the British plans for a while.
1953 (January 20): Mosaddeq gets parliament to extend his emergency powers for another year. He uses these powers to create a land reform law, which helps farmers get a bigger share of what they produce.

Opposition to Mosaddeq Grows

1953 (Mid-February): Mosaddeq tries to limit the Shah's power. He demands that the Shah use his money for public good and stop meeting with people who oppose the government. This makes some powerful people, like Ayatollah Abol-Ghasem Kashani, turn against Mosaddeq.
1953 (February 28): A crowd supporting the Shah, organized by Kashani, attacks Mosaddeq's house. Mosaddeq has to escape.
1953 (March): In the US, President Dwight D. Eisenhower starts to believe that Iran is falling apart and that Mosaddeq needs to be removed. This leads to the US planning to overthrow Mosaddeq.
1953 (March): Several people who used to support Mosaddeq now turn against him. This includes important leaders and religious figures. This makes it harder for Mosaddeq to gather support in the streets. Some of these people were secretly working with British agents.
1953 (April 4): The CIA in Tehran receives $1 million to help remove Mosaddeq from power.
1953 (April 19): People planning against Mosaddeq kidnap the Tehran police chief, who is later killed. This pushes Iran closer to chaos.
1953 (May): The Shah loses many of his powers. His budget is cut, and he is not allowed to talk directly with foreign diplomats.
1953 (May): Mosaddeq is losing support from many groups. The communist Tudeh party supports the government, but their strong tactics cause more trouble.
1953 (June 14): US President Dwight D. Eisenhower approves the plan to overthrow Mosaddeq.
1953 (June 25): The detailed plans for the operation, called Operation Ajax, are approved. A secret campaign begins to spread rumors that Mosaddeq is pro-communist and anti-Islamic.
1953 (July 14): Many members of Mosaddeq's group resign from parliament, which effectively closes it down.
1953 (July 14-19): Mosaddeq calls for a national vote to dissolve parliament.
1953 (July 21): The communist Tudeh Party holds a huge rally against the Shah and American influence. This rally, with 100,000 people, worries many non-communists.

The Referendum and the Coup

1953 (July 29): Mosaddeq's government announces that the vote to dissolve parliament will not be secret. Voters have to write their names on their ballots.
1953 (August 10): The "yes" vote wins with 99% approval. Mosaddeq now has the power to dissolve parliament. However, the unfairness of the vote makes many people turn against him.
1953 (Mid-August): Mosaddeq has huge powers, but the government is weak because of low oil money, more unemployment, and rising prices. Mosaddeq seems in control but is losing public support.
1953 (August 12): A military officer gets the Shah to sign papers dismissing Mosaddeq and appointing a new Prime Minister. This was a result of much effort by the CIA to convince the Shah.
1953 (August 15-16): A first attempt to overthrow Mosaddeq fails. An army unit loyal to Mosaddeq arrests the officer trying to deliver the dismissal order. The CIA decides to try again.
1953 (August 16): There is a strong reaction against the failed coup. Mosaddeq's supporters take control of Tehran and arrest people involved in the coup. Mosaddeq's foreign minister calls the Shah a traitor on the radio.
1953 (August 17): The Shah flees Iran and goes to Baghdad. Mosaddeq's supporters celebrate, destroying statues of the Shah. But the disorder makes many Iranians think Mosaddeq is losing control.
1953 (August 18): The Shah arrives in Rome. In Tehran, riots get worse. Mosaddeq orders the army to clear the streets after the American ambassador promises aid if order is restored.
1953 (August 19): A large demonstration, led by a gang leader, moves through the city. People from the bazaar and athletes join in. They are supported by soldiers loyal to the Shah. They fight against Mosaddeq's defenders. Many people are killed. Finally, General Fazallah Zahedi, with tanks, surrounds Mosaddeq's house. After a nine-hour battle, Mosaddeq flees, and his house is burned. The operation to overthrow Mosaddeq succeeds.
1953 (August 20): Mosaddeq is arrested, and the Shah returns to Iran.
1953 (November-December): Mosaddeq is put on trial for treason. He defends himself well but is sentenced to three years in prison.
1957: Mosaddeq is released from prison but is confined to his country estate for the rest of his life.