The first of three, this volume explores Iranian history from 1905 to 1940 and past events in which Iran has grabbed the world's attention. Discussing the failure of the workers’ and socialist movement, where opportunities seem to have appeared and been snuffed out at crucial times, it also explains the reactionary role of British imperialism during this period. Eschewing easy answers, this record critically reviews the roles of Lenin and Theodore Rothstein in subordinating Iranian working class interests to those of the Russian state. Detailed and authoritative, with many relevant documents never before available in English, this volume gives a new and real understanding of early Iranian socialist and radical movements.