THE HISTORY OF IRAN AND THE IRANIAN

REVOLUTION

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How is individuality a source of power?

Where is it?

A CLOSER LOOK @ IRAN

The Basic Story of Iran

One of world’s oldest civilizations First Iranian nation founded by Medes

in 7th Century BC Originally called Persia Changed to Iran in 1935 under Reza

Shah (SHAH is their name for KING) Country often invaded basic culture

survived

Qajar Dynasty 1794-1925 Early 1800’s, Russians wanted

access to Persian Gulf and the British wanted to keep their trade route to India.

The Qajars needed the money, so they made deals with both countries.

Both the British and Russians started to take over Iran banks, mining, control of Iranian industries.

The Qajar shahs grew wealthy, but the Iranian economy declined.

The Iranian people grew angry and, in response, the shah at the time (see picture) created a constitution to save himself and his reign.

Thus, Iran’s first elected legislature, the Majlis, was formed.

Reza Shah

Reza Shah Pahlavi was a general in the Persian army who:

Led the rebellion to overthrow the last Qajar shah in 1923.

Sought to modernize Iran. Reduced the power of the clergy—no

longer was the ISLAMIC CHURCH in charge.

Built a national education system and opened the University of Tehran.

Gave women the right to vote for the Majlis and freed them from Islamic obligation to wear the head-to-toe chador at all times. Men began wearing suits instead of traditional Iranian clothes.

Ordered the first railroad to cross the country to be built.

World War II The Allied forces, especially

Britain and Russia, wanted to ensure that Iranian oil would continue to reach the front.

Both nations sent troops into Iran to prevent Nazi Germany from gaining control there.

However, Reza Shah favored Germany because he resented British and

Soviet intrusions many Germans were

living and working in Iran at the time.

Mohammad Reza Shah In 1941, the British and

the Soviets forced Reza Shah Pahlavi out of power.

His twenty-one year old son, Mohammad Reza, replaced him as shah.

Early on, he was heavily influenced by the British, who still controlled the oil companies. He wanted to make them happy.

The White Revolution

The White Revolution was so called because it was a bloodless revolution

Economic and Social Improvements Spread large estates owned by one family

among many small farmers Gave factory workers share in the factory Created free meals program for students National Iranian income rose quite high for an

extended period Literacy, health, education, and infrastracture

all improved. University students were sent to study in other

countries tuition free and expenses covered

Modernization under the Shah Women could now hold public office, enter all of the

profession, and dress in Western garb Women could also vote Literacy among women improved Outlawed child marriage, polygamy, and education

segregation Women became ministers and judges

International Relations

Close friend and ally to the U.S. Friendly relations with Eastern and

European countries, the state of Israel, and China

Maintained friendly relations with other Middle Eastern countries; such as Iraq

Industry

Improved steel, automobile, and telecommunications

Built power plants, dams, roads, and rail roads

Developed academic institutions to support industry

Corruption under the Shah The shah outlawed all political

parties but his own, because many were plotting communist or Islamic takeover

Freedom of speech was limited—those who spoke out against him were imprisoned, while some were killed.

Secret police: “SAVAK”

Opposition to the Shah’s Rule

Huge protests against the shah became common.

Opposition grew in the 1970s, especially among two groups:

1) Communist-inspired students and intellectuals who wanted a communist take over

2) Muslim fundamentalists, believers in the strictest possible interpretation of Islamic doctrine. Many religious leaders felt his changes were a threat to Islam.

KhomeiniA Muslim leader named

Ayatollah Khomeini was one of the shah’s most vocal opponents.

He damned the shah for being corrupt and in the pocket of the United States.

The Islamic Revolution The Shah fled the country in

fear for his life in 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini became

“real” leader Declared Iran an Islamic

Republic—the clerics must rule.

Iran became a true theocracy: official religion is also the supreme government authority.

Khomeini and The Islamic RevolutionKhomeini ruled with an iron fist:

Death to those who supported/worked with the shah

Women forced to wear chador and walk only with male relative in public

The University of Tehran closed for two years Newspapers shut down History books re-written Schools divided by sex Many Iranians fled (Westernized intellectuals, those

associated with the shah, or those who simply had grown accustomed to the Western style)

Can Religious governments promote individual freedom?

If anyone had believed that Khomeini would keep his promises to respect free speech and the rights of religious minorities they soon realized which way the wind was blowing in the new Iran. The Shah had barely left town when clerics began setting up mock courts to try criminals of the revolution and Islam. Supporters of the Shah were obvious targets. But other groups that were “morally corrupt” also were hauled before the conservative mullahs who acted as judge, jury, and executioner. Homosexuals, adulterers, prostitutes, communists and all sorts of other anti-revolutionaries were hauled before these religious courts who handed out death sentences like candy on Halloween.

• From gohistorygo.com

THE US IS NOW VIEWEDAS AN ENEMY OF IRAN

FOLLOWERS OF KHOMEINITAKE OVER THE US EMBASSY

IN IRAN

Iran Hostage Crisis

In 1979, Reza Shah allowed to enter U.S.

Iranian students went to U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 50 people hostage.

They demanded that the U.S. send the shah back to Iran to stand trial, but the U.S. refused.

The hostages were held for more than a year.

Iran-Iraq War

In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran.

Saddam Hussein wanted to take advantage of Iran’s chaos

War lasted eight years and affected cities, oil facilities, people

Iran-Iraq War

Each country maintained an army of 600,000

To keep forces staffed, both sides enlisted boys as young as 11 or 12 years old

Each side claimed this as a “holy war.”

Cease-fire was declared in 1988

After KhomeiniKhomeini died in 1989 and millions of

people mourned in the streets.

A moderate cleric named Ayatollah Muahmmad Khatami became president in 1997.

Hoping to improve the status of women and give more people a voice, he was also friendlier to the West.

He was unable to accomplish much due to resistance from more conservative and powerful government leaders.

Today In 2005, Moahmoud

Ahmadinejad, the former mayor of Tehran, won the presidency.

He turned Iran in a more

conservative direction.

Iran continues to have strained relations with the West, especially the United States.

The GreenMovement In 2009, Ahmadinejad won re-election

though many feel electoral fraud took place. Protests broke out

Despite the relative peaceful nature of the protests, the Police suppressed them by using batons, pepper spray, sticks and, in some cases, firearms. Thirty-six people died.

Opposition groups have also reported that thousands more have been arrested and tortured in prisons around the country, with former inmates alleging mass rape of men, women, and children by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards

Culture: Movies

Before 1979 Hollywood movies

were available in Iran

After 1979 Few films Religious in nature Few female actors,

certainly none unveiled

Culture: Sports

Before 1979 Track and field Fencing Gymnastics Soccer Cricket Volleyball International

competitions

After 1979 Some soccer No international

competitions Some track and

field NO women’s sports

(due to the veil requirement)

BBC Film and other links

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta6HZUltE2E

Short similarities/differences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oij99bDBoOY