Islamic Republic of Iran

1. Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran

2. Comparing Iran • Only Theocracy we study. • Government ruled by religion. • Rentier State: Oil • Russia & Nigeria • Economic and Political Indicators • NIC or LDC?

3. Economic & Political Indicators

4. 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

5. Nationalism and Religion Religion • Prophet Zoroaster (circa 700-500 B.C.) • Monotheistic religion (Zoroastrianism) • Took root in Persia • Arab invasion (7th century) • Brought Islamto Persian culture • New monotheistic religion easily incorporated.

7. 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.

8. 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

10. Four Periods of Iranian History • The Safavids (1501-1722) • The Qajars (1794-1925) • The Pahlavis (1925-1979) • The Islamic Republic (1979- Present)

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Qajar Dynasty

15. Constitutional Revolution (1905-1909) • Qajars: Fiscally irresponsible • Middle class merchants: • Led massive protests • Shah’s guard (COSSACK BRIGADE) threatened to join protestors

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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.

20. CIA in Iran (1951-53) • CIA staged riots and protests • Mossadeq fled • Shah returned to power (1953) • Strong U.S. ally from 1953-1979.

21. “The Evolution of Revolution” What are the causes of the Iranian Revolution?

22. Iranian Revolution (1979) • Ayatollah Khomeini • Shiite cleric Reasons for Revolt • Progressivism v. Islamic Fundamentalism • Shah– pro-U.S. • Khomeini– Fundamentalist Islam • White Revolution (1963) • Anti-clericalism • Targeted Qom (center of Islam) • Neglect Lower Class • SAVAK: oppressive police force.

23. 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.

24. April 1980: Operation Eagle Claw • Failed rescue attempt • helicopters and refueling plane collide. • 8 commandos killed.

25. End of Hostage Crisis • January 1981: After 444 Days. • Released the moment Reagan was sworn in as president.

26. 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

27. 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.

28. Cultural Revolution (1980-1983) • Highlight examples of actions taken by the Iranian Government during the Cultural Revolution.

29. 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?