The Consequences of American missionary activities in the Assyrian society of Azerbaijan (1250-1342 A. H./1834-1925 AD)

During 1250-1344 A.H./1834-1925 AD, i.e., for more than half a century, American missionaries were active in the Qajar Iran. Within this relatively long period, they initiated various activities in those fields of religion, education, culture and public health in Iran. Although different regions in the west and north of Iran, especially the provinces of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Hamedan, Kermanshah and Gilan, were the scene of their measures, the former was considered as the first and most important region of their activities. Azerbaijan had long been the home of various Christian minorities such as Armenians, Assyrians and Chaldeans. Catholic missionaries, like the Carmelite priests, were present in this province since the Safavid period. The American missionaries, who mostly sought to revive the Nestorian Church, provided educational-cultural as well as health services for the Christians of Azerbaijan. These missionaries, through their long presence and close connections in the province, were able to influence the Assyrian society of the province. The present article, based on descriptive-analytical method, intends to study both activities of American missionaries among the Assyrians and their results as well. The findings show that the Assyrian society, as a result of the cultural measures of the American Mission Board, experienced changes. While the Assyrians became able to regain their social status, the traditional consistent of their society was disintegrated. Moreover, these changes brought about the confrontation of the Assyrians with their fellow Muslim countrymen.