IRANIAN REVOLUTION MONARCHY TO THEOCRACY, SHAH TO AYATOLLAH

SHAH OF IRAN Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919 – 1980)Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919 – 1980) Promised constitutional monarchyPromised constitutional monarchy –Increasingly took power from PM

GAINED POWER (Replaced father, Reza Pahlavi (Replaced father, Reza Pahlavi  –Forced to abdicate –By Britain & USSR –Friendly relations with Nazi Germany)

“KING OF KINGS” Crowned himself:Crowned himself: –Emperor –In 1967 –Also crowned his wife: empress –(Note: Peacock Throne->)

LEADERSHIP STYLE ManipulationManipulation Built loyal armyBuilt loyal army Expansion of constitutional powersExpansion of constitutional powers –After assassination attempt –1949 Secret police: “SAVAK”:Secret police: “SAVAK”: –Suppressed opponents Helped rich at expense of poorHelped rich at expense of poor

WHITE REVOLUTION Reform policiesReform policies –Land reform Some land taken from religious leadersSome land taken from religious leaders = no income for them= no income for them –Voting rights to women –Elimination of illiteracy Generally positive impact: on someGenerally positive impact: on some –Resented by religious leaders

COLD WAR Ally of the WestAlly of the West –Not USSR: bordering nation Oil deal with U.S.Oil deal with U.S. –Opponents critical of subservience to US

INCREASED OPPOSITION From Shi’ite Muslims Western moderization:From Shi’ite Muslims Western moderization: Western clothingWestern clothing Eliminated Qur’anic oaths Lack of democracyEliminated Qur’anic oaths Lack of democracy –Unresponsive to public opinion –Uneven distribution of wealth –Land reform

INCREASED DISCONTENT In 1970’sIn 1970’s Islamic clerics, esp. Ayatollah KhomeiniIslamic clerics, esp. Ayatollah Khomeini –built on popular discontent Demonstrations, riots, strikesDemonstrations, riots, strikes –Tied these ideas to Islamic principles –Called for overthrow of the Shah

REVOLUTIONARY IMAGES

REVOLUTION! Widespread demonstrations –1978-’79 Shah’s gov’t. collapsed –Jan. 16, 1979 –Shah fled Iran –Went to Egypt

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ISLAMIC REPUBLIC Or theocracyOr theocracy = gov’t which supports religion Led by Rouhollah Khomeini …….. Led by Rouhollah Khomeini ……..  –Muslim “ayatollah” Based on Islamic fundamentalismBased on Islamic fundamentalism