The Basics of General Food Crisis by the UK in Iran and its Management in the Western Part of Country (1917 - 1918 AD / 1296 – 1297 AH)

Iranians have frequently faced with famine and crisis of food throughout the history. Over the years, several factors have influenced the crisis of food which, in a general attitude, can be divided into natural and human factors (internal and external). From the beginning of Qajar period, such a crisis with quasi-colonial conditions and a special political economy imposed on Iran by Russia and especially Britain led to severe shortage of grocery, inflation and famine. The continuation of such conditions at the end of Nasir-ed-Din Shah reign led to the crisis of grocery and general famine and caused the deaths of thousands of people. The British political economy imposed on Iran through some treaties prior to World War I intensified economic deterioration and crisis of public grocery (cereal) in the late World War which has been referred with cereal and bread titles in more documents. During this period, Britain had the most military presence in Iran and played a direct and indirect role in the crisis. Using analytical-descriptive method with emphasis on documents, this essay indicates that contracts such as Mirjavar, oil, 1907 and 1915 provided the setting of establishment of general food crisis by Britain. Through various forces such as the Consul of Britain, the Royal Bank, Poodratchiha and interacting with the ruling landlords and merchants, Britain implemented an obligatory introduction of politics to prepare food for its armies. So, Britain played a significant role in managing the crisis of food to their benefit.