1. The Iranian Hostage Crisis

2. The Cold War When WWII ended and the Cold War began the US immediately realized the importance of Middle East oil  US already had a presence in ME  during WWII US and Britain occupied ME to keep Germany out The US decided to keep the SU out of the ME to keep them from the oil The US decided to work with ME governments to form alliances  the US did not back the best government just the most anti-communist gov’t.

3. The Shah in Iran The US supported the Shah (King) of Iran Mohhamed Palavi  he was very anti-communist 1953 US CIA helped lead an overthrow of a democratically elected government in Iran and give full power back to the Shah  Shah told US the other gov’t. was preparing to nationalize oilfields in Iran  US oil companies stood to lose millions

5. Iranian Anger with the Shah Many in Iran were angry with the corruption and abuse of power of the Shah He promised reforms then never enacted them Religious extremists were angry that he was not following their form of Islam (some reforms were social reforms such as more freedom for women)  Shah saw these people as a threat so he worked to take their power away  he exiled some of the top religious leaders like Ayatollah Khomeini

6. Beginning of Revolution By mid 1970s many in Iran were angry with the Shah for his human rights abuses and his disregard for their well being  while they lived in poverty he lived in luxurious palaces Demonstrations began by 1978 and the Shah realized that he needed to stop these  Sept. 1978 Shah’s forces attempt to quiet protests and kill 88 protestors

7. The Shah leaves Iran By late 1978 the Shah realized he had lost control Jan. 1979 Shah and family flee Iran and a moderate gov’t. is created  this new gov’t. brings back the exiled religious leaders to help them win the support of the people  the religious leaders soon turn against the new gov’t.

8. The Iranian Revolution Ends By Feb. 1979 Ayatollah Khomeini and his religious group have gained control of Iran’s gov’t. Khomeini sees the US as the root of the evil  he calls on Iranians to fight the “Great Satan”

9. The Ayatollah Khomeini

11. Battle over the Shah After the Shah left Iran he ended up in the US where he was treated for a severe case of cancer Iran wanted to bring him home for a trial  US realized he would be found guilty and executed  US refused to send him back to Iran This further angered Iran and the radicals there

12. The Hostage Crisis Nov. 4, 1979 a group of Iranian college students attack the US embassy in Tehran and take 66 US hostages  they released 13 female and minority hostages and 1 more after he became ill (they sent him home to receive proper treatment) President Carter ordered a rescue mission but it failed when the helicopters crashed in a sand storm killing some of the special forces soldiers on board

15. Seal of the United States at former embassy in Iran

16. The End of the Crisis President Carter tried tirelessly to free the hostages but Iran would not do so The hostages were finally freed immediately after Carter left office (within minutes) on Jan. 20, 1981  they had been held for 444 days Some say President Reagan cut a deal with Iran to get this done  this has been investigated but nothing has been found Some say Iran feared Reagan because they felt he would use whatever force necessary to free the hostages