The Iran Hostage Crisis

Where's Iran? Whip around…

WHAT’S GOING ON IN IRAN TODAY?*Video clip

NOTE CARDName:Number 1-10

1. Should Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons? Why?

Iran in 1979

• Iranian Revolution: the government was overthrown and the Shah (leader) of Iran fled the country.

• The US supported the recently overthrown Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Shah was allowed into the U.S. for medical treatment. The Iranians wanted the United States to return the Shah to them for trial of the crimes committed by him during his reign.

• The US refused to return the Shah to Iran.• Anti-US protests breakout all over Iran…• A letter is sent to President Carter briefing him on the

situation…

White House memorandum

• 2. What problem is mentioned in the letter?• 3. Is the US Embassy in Iran prepared

for an attack?

Argo movie clip

• The following event is known as the Iran Hostage Crisis.

• After viewing the clip please answer the following questions…

• 4. List 2 words to describe this movie scene.• 5. Why did the Iranians attack the US Embassy?

Crisis simulation!

• Your group will produce a plan to diplomatically or militarily solve the Iran Hostage Crisis.

• Your main goal is to get the hostages back alive…

• You have 10 minutes.

How did it really end?

• After 444 days the Hostages were released and flown back to the US.

• US used option 2: Heavy negotiations and economic sanctions from President Carter and Reagan finally forced Iran to give back the hostages.

• We never returned the Shah to Iran…

• Lets hear from some survivors!

Survivor interview

• On your post it note answer the following questions while listening to the interview.

• 6. How did Mr. Scott describe his experience?• 7. What emotions did Mr. Scott go through

when he finally returned home?

4 corners

• Please go to each corner and read the survivors accounts of the Iran Hostage Crisis.

• Answer the following questions...• 8. How was the embassy takeover in Argo different

then then the real event?• 9. What happened after a failed escape attempted by

the hostages?• 10. How did the survivors describe their time in

captivity?

US response

• President Carter issues an Executive Order blocking all of Iran’s government property.

• Executive Order: has the full force of law, they take authority from a power granted directly to the President by the Constitution.

US response

• Operation Eagle Claw: was an American military operation ordered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on 24 April 1980. Its failure, and the humiliating public debacle that ensued, damaged American prestige worldwide.

Quick write (4 to 6 sentences)

• Did the US government and President Carter do enough to get the hostages out of Iran? What would you have done differently?