Tudeh Party formed as a pro-Soviet socialist party after the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941. Tudeh was strongest among teachers, oil workers, bureaucrats, & people of Rasht & Tabriz. 
Azeri Crisis of 1945-6: Soviets didn’t leave their occupation zone at planned time as British did. Alienated by Persocentrism of Iranian government, Kurd & Azeri separatists declared autonomy & advanced socialist policies. Soviet Azeris played a role in the separatist movement.
Prime Minister Qavam flew to Moscow & negotiated a Soviet withdrawal from Iran in March 1946. In return, members of Tudeh were brought into government & oil concessions were granted to USSR. Azeri separatists were recognized as a local but not autonomous government.
Labor strikes supported by Tudeh, Arab separatism in Khuzestan, communists in government, & Azeri separatists in NW led to reaction from Shah, military, & Anglophile tribes. American mission was reaffirmed, Tudeh’s influence reduced, & December 1946 the army crushed the Azeris.
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