Islamic Republic of Iran

Capital:

Tehran

Comparing Iran

• Only Theocracy we study.– Government ruled by religion.

• Rentier State: Oil– Russia & Nigeria

• Economic and Political Indicators– NIC or LDC?

Economic & Political Indicators

Nationalism & Religion

Nationalism• Pride in Persian history/heritage– Cyrus the Great: 550 B.C.

• Conquered by Alexander the Great: 332 B.C.* Retained local rule and culture

Nationalism and Religion

Religion• Prophet Zoroaster (circa 700-500 B.C.)– Monotheistic religion (Zoroastrianism)– Took root in Persia

• Arab invasion (7th century)– Brought Islam to Persian culture– New monotheistic religion easily incorporated.

Shiite v. Sunni

• Division: – after Prophet Muhammad’s death, 632.

• Sunnis– Prominent leaders should choose a new leader.– Today: overwhelming majority of Muslims

worldwide.• Shiites (Shiism)– Leader should come from Muhammad’s family.– Today: high concentration in Iran and Iraq.

Shiism

• Imams:– Heirs of Muhammad’s son-in-law– 12th Imam disappeared 900s (The Hidden Imam).

• Hidden Imam’s return will mark the end of the world.

• Ayatollahs:– Senior religious leaders who interpret sharia

Four Periods of Iranian History

1. The Safavids (1501-1722)2. The Qajars (1794-1925)3. The Pahlavis (1925-1979)4. The Islamic Republic (1979- Present)

1. The Safavids (1501-1722)

• Authoritarian monarch titled as “shah.”– King of kings.

• Established Shiism as the state religion– 90% of Iran was Shiite (Shi’i) by mid 1600s.

• Claimed to be heirs of Islam until Hidden Imam’s return.• Tolerated “People of the Book”

– Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians– Monotheistic faiths that had holy books.

• 1722: Afghani tribesmen invaded; period of instability.

2. The Qajars (1794-1925)• Turkish invaders.• Moved capital to Tehran.• Retained Shiism as state

religion.– Reduced link between church

and state.– No link to 12 Imams.

• Age of European Imperialism– Oil rights in southwest sold to

British– Borrowed heavily from

European banks

Qajar Dynasty

Constitutional Revolution (1905-1909)

• Qajars: Fiscally irresponsible• Middle class merchants: – Led massive protests– Shah’s guard (COSSACK BRIGADE) threatened to

join protestors

Constitution of 1906

• Popular sovereignty• Separation of powers• Direct election of legislators• Created the MAJLES– National legislative assembly– Power to make laws– Influence over the budget

• Created the GUARDIAN COUNCIL– Clerics that could veto laws based on sharia.

End of Qajars

• Financial woes continue• Constitution weakened the Shah

World War I• Russia occupied Northern Iran• Britain occupied Southern Iran• Iranians controlled a small area in Central Iran

3. The Pahlavis (1925-1979) • Reza Khan Pahlavi

– Commander of Cossack Brigade• Drove out Soviets following WWI.

– Supported by British.• Reestablished authoritarian rule in

Iran– Majles=rubber stamp

• Modernization programs• Secularization of society

– No beards; no veils– No religious schools (created free state-

run schools)

Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979)

• 21-years old• Power struggle with

Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq– Majles gave Mossadeq

emergency powers• Placed British oil under

Iranian Control.• Sympathetic to U.S.S.R.

CIA in Iran (1951-53)

• CIA staged riots and protests– Mossadeq fled– Shah returned to power (1953)• Strong U.S. ally from 1953-1979.

“The Evolution of Revolution”

What are the causes of the Iranian Revolution?

Iranian Revolution (1979)• Ayatollah Khomeini

– Shiite clericReasons for Revolt

1. Progressivism v. Islamic Fundamentalism• Shah– pro-U.S.• Khomeini– Fundamentalist

Islam• White Revolution (1963)

• Anti-clericalism• Targeted Qom (center of

Islam)

2. Neglect Lower Class3. SAVAK: oppressive police

force.

IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, 1979-1981• January 1979: Shah flees Iran

• February 1979: Khomeini returns to Iran

• October 1979: Shah comes to U.S.

• November 4, 1979: Iranians storm U.S. embassy in Tehran.

• Take 52 Hostages.

• Demand Return of the Shah.

• July 1980: Shah dies.

April 1980: Operation Eagle Claw

• Failed rescue attempt• helicopters and

refueling plane collide.• 8 commandos killed.

End of Hostage Crisis

• January 1981: After 444 Days.

• Released the moment Reagan was sworn in as president.

4. The Islamic Republic (1979-Present)

• New Regime solidifies control.– Charisma of Khomeini– Iran Hostage Crisis• Iranians rallied around Khomeini and other hard-line

Muslims (not secularists and moderates)– Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988– Cultural Revolution

Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988

• Khomeini called for overthrow of Saddam.– Sunni: came to power in

1979.• Saddam attacked Iran.• ½ to 1 million Iranian

causalities.• Ended in stalemate.• U.S. indirectly supported

Iraq.

Significance• Regime consolidated

power through national unity.

• Suppression of opposition.

Cultural Revolution (1980-1983)

• Highlight examples of actions taken by the Iranian Government during the Cultural Revolution.

Cultural Revolution, 1980-1983

• Education System:– Primary agent of Islamic socialization.

• Purged universities of leftists and secularists.• Universities closed from 1980-1983.– Center of anti-regime activism– Reopened under the control of Islamic regime

• Curricula at all school levels emphasized:– Religious Studies -- Islamic Revolution– Islamic culture -- Anti-western

• Successful or unsuccessful?• Similarities with Chinese Cultural Revolution?