1946 Army Information Branch Pictorial Wall Map of Iran

This is a 1946 Army Information Branch pictorial map of Iran. Published during the Iran Crisis of 1946, dark brown stripes emphasize Iranian Azerbaijan, then occupied by Soviet troops and where two pro-Soviet separatist 'republics' were established. This crisis ranks as one of the first of the Cold War (1947 - 1991).

A Closer Look

The text present on the map's right offers a short history of Iran, followed by a short discussion of its strategic position and oil fields. The text describing the Iran Crisis appears below the photograph of the Mosque of Suz. A full-length portrait of Mohamed Reza Pahlevi is situated to the left, along with a photograph of British troops guarding an Iranian oil refinery.

Small pictorial icons mark Persepolis and a tent appears above Isfahan. Two oil derricks are illustrated near Ahwaz, continuing the theme of the American obsession with Middle Eastern oil.

The Iran Crisis of 1946

One of the first crises of the Cold War, the Iran Crisis of 1946 (known as the Azerbaijan Crisis in Iranian sources) was ignited after the Soviet Union refused to leave occupied Iranian territory following World War II. On August 25, 1941, the Soviet Union and United Kingdom occupied Iran (a neutral country) as a supposedly preventive measure. They justified this action by stating that securing Iran was a wartime necessity, and that the country would serve as an artery for Lend-Lease supplies from British India to the Soviet Union. This joint occupation forced the abdication of Reza Shah (who was exiled to Mauritius) and the ascension of his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In January 1941, Iran, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom signed a 'Tripartite Treaty' which declared Iran their ally, stated that the British and Soviet military presence was not an occupation, and that British and Soviet forces would leave Iran within six months of the end of the war. Iran became an important supply line throughout the rest of the war, used by both the British and Americans to ferry supplies to the Soviets. Tehran even hosted the Big Three (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) for the Tehran Conference in 1943. The Americans and British both adhered to the agreed upon six-month timeline for removing their troops, but Stalin kept Soviet troops in Iran past the March 2 deadline, even extending their military presence southward during the six months that followed. The Soviet Union also encouraged the creation of two pro-Soviet 'People's Democratic Republics': the Azerbaijan People's Republic and the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad.

Resolution of the Crisis

The nascent United Nations played a critical role in ending this crisis. United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 2, 3m adb 5 encouraged Iran and the Soviet Union to resolve the crisis. The United States played an important role by exerting intense diplomatic pressure. Eventually, Soviet troops withdrew and both separatist states were dissolved.

Life After the Army?

As with most Newsmaps, the verso is also rich with interesting content. With this edition, the verso asks: 'What is your Post-Army Plan?' The broadside provides advice, offering several plans, including working for a previous employer, going back to school, starting their own business, or operating a farm. It cites specific Army programs and suggests asking for advice from their Information and Education officer.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by the Army Information Branch and published on February 18, 1946. We note seven examples cataloged in OCLC: Denison University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Davidson College, the Library of Michigan, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, the University of Missouri, and the Denver Public Library. We also note examples at the Hoover Institution, the University of North Texas, and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.