Representation of Racial Identity in Elementary and High Schools History Textbooks during the First Pahlavi Era

From the constructivism point of view, identity as a meaningful factor is not a constant matter but is current and variable. Essential components of identity also change and transform over time. Education is one of the most important institutions in which governments tend to inspire their intended identity towards society. The most important nationalistic components of Pahlavi government were based on ancient Iranian history and culture, and emphasized on the Iranian as Aryans was one of its main elements. History textbooks of this era had been produced through the influence of this discourse and in answering to the especial political and social needs of it. Using historical analysis method and exercising constructive theory, the aim of this article is to represent the racial identity of Pahlavi government in History textbooks and answer this question that what is the position of the race in identity-making in History textbooks? Findings of this research shows that the identity based on Aryan race had especial presentation as the identity’s main component in History textbooks. Emphasizing on Iranian racial superiority, connection to Europeans and differentiating with Arab race are amongst the main features of this racism.