Instructions
This assignment calls upon students to write an argumentative essay based on a series of secondary- and primary-source documents related to the Iran Coup of 1953.
Read two secondary-source articles on the 1953 Iran Coup.
Summarize and assess the differences between those articles.
Read and analyze relevant primary-source documents to critique the arguments advanced in the two articles.
Develop a persuasive argument using well-chosen and well-analyzed examples from the primary-source documents that explains which article is more
compelling.
Iran Coup Discussion Secondary-Source Documents (required reading)
Takeyh, “The CIA, the Ouster of Mossadeq, and the Restoration of the Shah”
De Belgium, “Coupdunnit”
Iran Coup Discussion Primary-Source Documents (required reading)
270. Telegram from the Station in Iran to the Central Intelligence Agency, August 17, 1953
278. Telegram from the Central Intelligence Agency to the Station in Iran, August 18, 1953
280. Telegram from the [Ambassador Henderson] in Iran to the Department of State, August 1, 1953
282. Memorandum for the Record by the Deputy Directory for Plans, August 19, 1953
283. Telegram from the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, August 20, 1953
285. Telegram from the Station in Iran to the Central Intelligence Agency, August 19, 1953
Wilbur, Secret History
The paper must be 800-1100 words in length, which is equivalent to about 4-5 pages, but you are also welcome to go over the word limit within reason (i.e., try to keep it under 1300 words). Please double-space your paper, use a twelve-point font, and submit it via the West and the Middle East Assignment Dropbox. Do NOT use any material beyond the provided readings, particularly information accessed from the Internet. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze the provided readings rather than to engage in research, and the use of outside materials will result in a grade of ‘0’.
