The positions of Iranians against the educational activities of American missionaries (from the period of Mohammad Shah to the Constitutional Revolution)

The attitude of Iranians towards the American mission, which began its activities in Urmia in the mid-forties of the 19th century, went through many ups and downs until the victory of the constitutional revolution. These missionaries left an impact in various cultural, educational and medical fields in the Iranian society, but despite their effective actions, they faced various oppositions. The questions of the research are, which groups and how did they react to the cultural actions of the American missionaries? And did these reactions create obstacles in the activities of the missionaries? This article, using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on the press and unpublished documents, shows that the relationship of the Qajar rulers with the American missionaries in Iran was subject to various religious, political and social variables. On the other hand, the religious forces resisted the entry of new ideas and these oppositions even led to the killing of American missionaries, but in spite of all these challenges, the press and progressives of this period unanimously supported the activities of the missionaries due to the knowledge of the advanced American educational system. The country and by presenting numerous articles, they convinced the people and government officials that they should be influenced by American modern education and allow Muslim children to enter American missionary schools.