Aim: Identify what causes the Iranian Hostage Crisis to take place

Religious & Secular Values Clash in Iran Cold War confrontations continued to erupt in Middle East Oil industry wealth fueled a growing clash between traditional Islamic values & modern Western materialism Shown especially in Iran Post WWII, Iran’s leader, Shah Pahlavi embraced Western governments Iranian nationalists resented foreign alliances 1953, forced Shah to flee Fearing Iran might turn to Soviets, US helped restore Shah to power 2

United States Supports Secular Rule Shah westernized his country End of 1950’s, Iran’s capital Tehran featured gleaming skyscrapers Millions still lived in extreme poverty Muslim leaders known as ayatollahs opposed Western influences Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini led religious opposition & lived in exile 1978: Iranians rioted in every major city Shah fled Iran in 1979 Khomeini returned to establish an Islamic state 3

Khomeini’s Anti-U.S. Policies Hatred of the US was due to the US support for the Shah 1979: Islamic revolutionaries seized the US embassy in Tehran Took more than 60 American hostage Demanded the US force the Shah to face trial Hostages remained prisoners for 444 days before being released in 1981 1980: War broke out between Iran & Iraq US secretly gave aid to both sides Because US didn’t want the balance of power in the region to change 4