Economic conditions in the Persian Gulf area between the two world warsand the migration of its residents

Abstract AfterWorld War I and the resulting severerecessionof the worldeconomy¡ ports and islandson the northern coasts of thePersian Gulf could not maintain their economic and business liveliness due to lack ofcareand attention on the part of the central government in Iran. The changes in political situation and the rise of Reza Shah also led to further deterioration of domestic conditions. At the beginning of his reign¡ Reza Shah took a series of different measures with the purpose of strengthening his power and extending hisinfluence and power over the Persian Gulf waters¡ harbors and islands. Mainly¡ those measures were taken to raise revenues for a stable and fortifiedarmy . Inhabitants of southernregions¡ particularlythe ports and islands suffering from poverty in the aftermath ofWorld War I due to ruined docksandportsand insecure roads¡ began to migrate. Many of these migrants were merchantsandtraders¡ whohada major rolein theprosperity and developmentof ports andislands.After Reza Shah''s efforts¡ another wave of these residents migrated because of bad conditions and unemployment.With the onset ofWorld War IIand the re-occupation of Iran by the Alliedforces¡ manyindustrial plantsstopped because of their reliance ontheWest. The re-occupation worsened the situation compared to previous periods.