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Iran: What’s in a Name?. Historically known as Persia until 1935, when Reza Shah Pahlavi asked for the country to be called by its native name Iran means “Land of the Aryans” Persia derived from ancient Greek name for Iran, Persis Name comes from a region in southern Iran called Pars.
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Iran: What’s in a Name? • Historically known as Persia until 1935, when Reza Shah Pahlavi asked for the country to be called by its native name • Iran means “Land of the Aryans” • Persia derived from ancient Greek name for Iran, Persis • Name comes from a region in southern Iran called Pars
Location • Asia: The Middle East • North: former Soviet Republics • South: Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman • East: Afghanistan, Pakistan • West: Turkey, Iraq • Major Cities: Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Esfahan, Shiraz
Early History • 6,000 years of civilization and 2,500 years of written history. • 1,400 years of post-Islamic history since the Arab conquest in 7th century AD: religious and national subordination and never-ending conflict. • Median Dynasty (728-550 BC): created first Iranian Empire • Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736): conversion of population towards Shi’ism • Qajar Dynasty (1781-1925): constitutional dynasty; British and Russian spheres of influence
History of Iran • In 1921, an Iranian military officer took power claimed the old Persian title of “Shah”, or king. • In 1941 the Shah’s son took control who was an ally to the United States and Britain. He also wanted to modernize Iran.
Iran and the Cold War • During WWII, Iran was an ally of the Nazis. • So the USSR and Britain invaded the country in 1942 in order to secure oil fields. • Following WWII, the Soviet Union refused to leave Iran until 1946, when the United States threatened to invade Iran and remove the Soviets by force.
Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979) • Ruled Iran from the crowning of Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1925 to the overthrow of Reza Shah Pahlavi's son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. • By the mid-1930s Reza Shah's dictatorial style of rule caused dissatisfaction among some groups • Dynasty collapsed following widespread uprisings in 1978 and 1979. • Its collapse marks a break in the ancient tradition of Iranian monarchy.
Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh,(There are two spellings of his last name…)Prime Minister of Iran • Became Prime Minister in 1951. • Nationalized the foreign oil companies. • Got rid of corrupt military officials. • Was toppled in a coup aided by the America CIA in 1953. • The Shah of Iran returns to power. Q4
EVENT: 1953 CIA coup overthrew Mossadeq • CIA and British intelligence (MI6) worked together to overthrow the popularly elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq
CAUSES: 1953 CIA coup overthrew Mossadeq • Mossadeq nationalized (government controlling) the Iranian oil industry, shutting out the British oil companies who previously profited from it. • When Britain boycotted (refused to buy) Iranian oil, Iran sold oil to the Soviet Union • These moves made Mossadeq look like a Communist to American President Eisenhower (COLD WAR!) • The CIA and MI6 (British Intelligence) plotted to overthrow Mossadeq • (watch video)
EFFECTS: 1953 CIA coup overthrew Mossadeq • Shah given more power in Iran, but became increasingly paranoid • Shah began a program of modernization and westernization • Shah was allied with the US, and the US supported the Shah • Britain regained access to Iranian oil
On your Left Side, examine this picture and answer the question. Here’s a picture of the Shah having a drink with American President Carter. Think about this image. What would a devout Muslim in Iran think about it? Why?
On your Left Side, answer: • What do you think about the United States and CIA involvement in Iran? Why?
Iran under Shah Reza Pahlavi (1953-1979)
Shah Reza Pahlavi(r. 1941 – 1977) • Institutes Western reforms & ties with the West . • But, the majority of his people live in poverty. • Brutal suppression of dissidents SAVAK Q5
The Shah & His Wife, Farah Iranian elite/upper- and intellectual classes: very pro-Western.
“The White Revolution”The Shah’s Reform Program (1963) Land reform – 90% of Iran’s peasants became land owners. Massive government-financed heavy industry projects. Granted women more political power – the right to vote. Poured government money into education – especially in rural areas where illiteracy was very high. Profit-sharing for industrial workers. Nationalization of forests and pasture lands.
On your Left Side, answer: • What aspects of the Shah’s rule violated the beliefs and practices of Islam? • Why would these actions lead to the rise of Islamic Fundamentalism in Iran?
The Iranian Revolution
Iran: Iranian Revolution • Unfortunately for Shah Reza Pahlavi, the modernization programs were unpopular. • In 1979, he was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution.
Reasons for the Fall of the Shah • The Shah spent the oil profits for top of the line American military hardware. • Little money to reinvest back into the Iranian economy. • Religious leaders angry with the Shah for too much “Westernization.” • Government corruption. • The Shah’s constitutional violations of the basic human rights of his citizens.
CAUSES:1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran • The Shah used violence, torture, and the SAVAK (secret police) to remain in power • The economy worsened • Many Iranians wanted to return to a democratic government • The Shah’s reforms insulted devout Muslims • Ayatollah Khomeini preached revolution in mosques (the “Cassette Revolution”)
Opponents of the Shah • Oil field workers • Students and other intellectuals • Middle class businessmen • Iranian nationalists • Muslim clerics (Cleric is a member of the clergy or religious figure in Islam; like a priest for Catholics or a rabbi for Jews.) • On your Left Side, • Why do you think each of these groups had issues with the Shah’s reign? • Explain and give examples.
Anti-American Pin(1960s) • On your Left Side, answer: • What cause of the Iranian Revolution does this political button address?
Anarchy & Revolution The Shah leaves Iran on 1/16/79. Facing likely execution should he return to Iran, he died in exile in Egypt, whose President, Anwar Sadat, had granted him asylum
Ayatollah KhomeiniLeads the Revolution Khomeini returns to Iran on February 11, 1979. Q7
Islamic Revolution (1979) • Transformed Iran from a monarchy under Pahlavi dynasty to an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic. • It has been called the third great revolution in history • Helped make Islamic fundamentalism a political force • Constitution based on rule by Islamic jurists • Khomeini—Supreme leader (lifetime appointment) • President—Head of the Government • Cabinet • Supreme Court • Legislation
Ayatollah Khomeini(r. 1979-1989) • 1902 – 1989. • Became an Islamic scholar (studied in Qom). • Began to speak out against the Shah in the 1960s. • Arrested and imprisoned several times by the Shah. • Deported in 1978 & went to France.
EFFECTS:1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran • Shah fled Iran, took his money with him! • Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran • Iran became an Islamic theocracy, ruled by Sharia Law • The new government was anti-American (“The Great Satan”) and anti-Israeli • Hostage crisis and the Iran-Iraq War
Triumphant Muslim Clerics & Iranian Soldiers A theocracy is created! Q8
Iranian Revolutionary Poster • The caption reads: When the devil leaves, the angel returns! • On your Left Side: What changes does this poster specifically refer to? Explain.
On your Left Side, • Design your own political button for in support of the changes made by the Ayatollah.
Iran: Takes American Hostages • Iran’s new government set up an Islamic Republic. • Relations with the United States broke down. • In 1979, a mob of Iranian students took Americans hostage.
Iran: Takes American Hostages • The Iranian government gave permission for the Americans to be taken hostage. • The Americans were held by force for over 1 year.
On your Left Side: • Imagine you were one of the hostages. What do you think was going to happen to you based upon the recent events of the Iranian Revolution? • Explain.
