1877–1944, shah of Iran (1925–41). He began
his career as an army officer and gained a reputation for
great valor and leadership. He headed a coup in 1921 and
became prime minister of the new regime in 1923. He negotiated
the evacuation (1921) of the Russian troops and (1924) of the
British forces stationed in Iran since World War I. Virtually
a dictator, Reza Khan deposed (1925) Ahmad Mirza, the last
shah of the Qajar dynasty, and was proclaimed shah of Iran. He
changed his name to Reza Shah Pahlevi, thus founding the
Pahlevi dynasty, and in 1935 officially changed the name of
Persia to Iran. Reza Shah introduced many reforms,
reorganizing the army, government administration, and
finances. He abolished all special rights granted to
foreigners, thus gaining real independence for Iran. Under his
rule the Trans-Iranian RR was built, the Univ. of Tehran was
established, and industrialization was stepped-up. In World
War II his rapprochement with the Germans was protested by the
Allies, and in 1941 British and Russian forces invaded and
occupied Iran. Forced to abdicate in favor of his son,
Muhammad Reza Shah
Pahlevi, he died in exile in South Africa.
