Modern Iran Unit Two Lesson Eight Student Edition

Today’s Main Idea: Iran has a tumultuous political environment. The country’s large oil reserves and political instability often puts it at odds with the western world. After class today students will be able to explain the major political development of modern Iran.

Geography:   Has large oil reserves  There are over 12 ethnic groups, only a small percentage of people are Arab  Most people speak Persian  Largely Muslim country – Shi’ite majority

Oil:   Since the Iranian revolution oil production has been lower  In the 50’s and 60’s Shah used oil profits to create a great amount of social reform  Education, healthcare, water projects, etc… 

Modernization:  Growing nationalism in Iran fueled modernization   At 1 st the Shah was using the using oil revenues to help improve his country  The Shah was allied with the USA  Traditional Muslims were upset by this alliance with the US and felt that the Iranian government did not reflect Islamic values

The Islamic Revolution:  The Shah’s attempt at improvements were largely unsuccessful – they widened the gap between the rich and the poor  Many Iranians began to embrace the ideas of Ayatollah Khomeini (a Muslim leader)   Theocracy –  Created religious courts and banned western forms of entertainment

 Wanted to spread the Islamic Revolution around the world  This only created religious revivals, not revolutions   Many western countries no longer traded with Iran  There was a long war with Iraq that made the economy worsened  Lasted 18 years and devastated both of their major cities  Caused by border clashes

The 1990’s:  After Khomeini's death Iran tried to create a better relationship with western countries 

The 2009 Iranian Election:  In June 2009 incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ran against Mir-Hossein Mousavi  Mousavi was a reformer who wanted to help to modernize Iran   The only person more powerful then the president in Iran is the Ayatollah   Many claimed that Ahmadinejad had stolen the election

  The country blocked all outside media in Iran, including Facebook ®   The Iranian government stopped the riots and protest through violent means when necessary

The Current Situation  Currently Iran is in the news for defying the UN and continuing to pursue nuclear developments  The claim it is just for nuclear power  Many around the world suggest they want nuclear weapons  In the midst of this an American ex-marine was in Iran visiting his grandmothers  He was taken into custody and is accused of being a spy for the CIA  He has been sentenced to death by the Iranian government