Iran’s Forgotten Friend William Morgan Shuster: Victim of Anglo-Russian Conspiracy

Abstract

Since the late 19th century, Iran’s economy had struggled with financial instability and foreign influence, particularly that of Russia and Britain. To modernize the country’s corrupt and decrepit financial system, the Iranian government appointed American financial advisor William Morgan Shuster as Treasurer General. But Shuster’s efforts to establish a new system of taxation, reduce corruption, and combat foreign interference in Iran’s financial affairs were seen as a threat to Russian and British interests in Iran. At one point, Russia and Britain put pressure on the Iranian government to dismiss Shuster from his post and finally the Iranian government was bound to do so. Shuster’s dismissal and departure marked a setback for Iran’s attempts at modernization and independence.