the iranian revolution. iran and the west: a really incomplete history 1901: british investor...
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THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION
IRAN AND THE WEST: A REALLY INCOMPLETE HISTORY1901: British investor purchases an oil concession from the Shah of Persia
1908: Oil discovered in Persia During WWII:
Reza Khan (Shah, or ruler, of Iran) declares neutrality
UK and USSR invade IranReza Khan forced out of power;
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi installed as Shah
IRAN AND THE WEST: A REALLY INCOMPLETE HISTORYDuring the Cold War:
Stalin wants to keep troops in Iran Truman stands behind the Shah;
Stalin withdraws
1951: Nationalist Mohammed Mossadegh becomes prime minister 1951: Mossadegh nationalizes (takes
over) the oil industry Shah unsuccessfully tries to stop
Mossadegh
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE US WILL DO ABOUT THIS? WHY?
THE CIA COUP PLOT
1.What is the CIA (in cooperation with the SIS, Britain’s intelligence agency) planning to do in Iran?
2.How democratic is this?
3.Bonus: What does this show about how the US worked during the Cold War?
THE FALL OF MOSSADEGH
Why overthrow Mossadegh? Western economic interests Containment – US feared the rise of
Communists in Iran US wants allies in the Middle East
August 1953: Mossadegh overthrown in a CIA-supported coup
The Shah comes back to power with US support
OPPOSITION TO THE SHAH
What the Shah Did
Undemocratic ruleTook American supportSAVAK – brutal secret police;
sometimes practiced torturePromoted women’s rights,
education, and secularizationLavish lifestyle
Who Opposed It
Democrats/anti-monarchistsNationalistsDissidents and people who
don’t like torture Islamists, clergymen, and
anti-modernistsPeople who want a more
equal distribution of wealth
RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI
Iranian religious leader (ayatollah)1962: began protesting the Shah;
persecuted in response1964: deported to TurkeyContinued to agitate against the Shah in
exileDeveloped a blueprint for an Islamic
state
1979: THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION
1978-1979: Massive protests against the Shah
January: Shah is exiledFebruary: Khomeini returns to
IranApril: Voters approve a new
constitution for IranNovember: Shah goes to US;
students seize hostages at US Embassy
THE IRANIAN CONSTITUTION
1. How does this change the structure of Iran’s government?
2. Which opponents of the Shah have achieved their goals?
a. Democrats/anti-monarchists
b. Nationalists
c. People who don’t like torture
d. Islamists
e. People who want a more equal distribution of wealth
SO WHAT?
Serious challenge to US powerAttempt to spread Islamism beyond Iran Iran-Iraq War
1980: Saddam Hussein invades Iran Estimated 1 million fatalities Strengthened Islamists in Iran Establishment of US military bases
Destroyed US relations with Iran