Modern Iran (1951-today)

Constitutional Monarchy Iran under Shah Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979) Constitutional Monarchy

Shah Reza Pahlavi (r. 1941 – 1979) Constitutional monarchy Institutes Western reforms & ties with the West . Tries industrialize, give land to the poor, improve human rights and women’s rights But, the majority of his people live in poverty. Brutal suppression of any who opposed him Q5

Besties to the Westies!! Shah Pahlavi and wife Farah Iranian elite/upper- and intellectual classes: very pro-Western.

The Shah with Several American Presidents

The Shah with President Jimmy Carter

The Iranian 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.

Anti-Shah Protests

Anarchy & Revolution The Shah leaves Iran on 1/16/79. He received asylum in Egypt where he later died.

Ayatollah Khomeini Leads the Revolution Khomeini returns to Iran on February 11, 1979 after being exiled. Q7

Ayatollah Khomeini (r. 1979-1989) 1902 – 1989. Became an Islamic scholar Began to speak out against the Shah in the 1960s. Arrested and imprisoned several times by the Shah. Deported in 1978 & went to France.

Triumphant Muslim Clerics & Iranian Soldiers A theocracy is created! Q8

The Fate of the Shah’s Generals

The Islamic Republic of Iran

Women in Iran Women’s rights and education became less of a focus.

Support for the Palestinian Cause Funds Hamas and Hezbollah. The Ayatollah with Yasir Arafat.

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) Causes: Ethnic disputes Border disputes Religious disputes US chooses to publicly support Iraq while secretly selling weapons to Iran. Received a lot of backlash when this was made public Ended in ceasefire Q10

The Iran-Iraq War: Taking Sides

Current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the head of state and ultimate religious and political authority in Iran 1989 to present Makes final decision on economy, environment, foreign policy, education, national planning, and everything else in Iran

President Hassan Rouhani President since 2013 Was reelected in 2013 Seen as a moderate Has improved women’s rights and domestic freedom (like access to information) in Iran.

Iranian Nuclear Weapons Deal Between Iran and the 5 permanent UN members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) Signed in 2015 Limited Iran’s enriched uranium and needed to make nuclear weapons while still allowing them to power their country 2018—President Trump announced the US would withdraw from the deal.