Iranian Revolution Revolution= Change

Review: Iran Iran gained independence under the leadership of Reza Khan. Once the nation was independent, Khan began building up infrastructure and brought Western style clothing, education and culture to Iran.

Review: Iran Cold War Throughout the Cold War Iran was a major source of contention between the United States and Soviet Union. Both wished to support Iran to gain control over their oil reserves.

Western Leaning Iran’s Leader, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi favored the West, but struggled to quiet critics, and was voted out of office by Mohammed Mosaddeq. Once in office Mosaddeq nationalized all the foreign owned oil industry, reclaiming the oil and its profits for the Iranians. American businesses were outraged, and worked with the ousted Shah to return him to power.

Coup De Etat (overthrow) In order to gain back trade with Iran the US helped the Shah regain control. The US Approved of the Shah because he helped to industrialize the nation, redistributed land to the peasants, and secured rights for women. The Shah also supported American trade and businesses.

New opposition With the return of the Shah, the Iranian people angrily protested. The Shah cut down on people’s rights, using his secret police force, the Savak ruthlessly punished dissidents. Despite the danger, Iranians rallied behind Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, an Islamic religious leader who condemned Western influences. The Shah was soon pushed out of power and in 1979, Khomeini officially formed the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Theocratic Government Ayatollah Khomeini established a theocratic government based on Islamic law, or Sharia. Sharia law can be repressive to women, forcing them to cover their bodies. Sharia Law also gives harsh punishments for even the most basic crimes. Theocracy- Government run by religious leaders

Islamic Fundamentalism Khomeini returned Iran to an Islamic Fundamentalist state, focusing on the teachings of Islam to run the nation. Changes included: -Sharia law -Women must be covered at all times -Islam is national religion Fundamentalism Return to the basic values of a religion

Iran Hostage Situation In 1979 Islamic Radicals in Iran attacked the US Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 hostages captive. The hostages were held for over a year! The root cause of the hostage situation was the American president, Carter, allowing the former Shah into the US for cancer treatment. The hostages were held for 444 days, and released when the next president, Ronald Reagan, took office.

Economic Sanctions After Khomeini declared the US an “Enemy of Islam” during the Iran Hostage situation, the US began harsh economic sanctions to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons and supporting terrorists. These Economic Sanctions have just recently been loosened.

Economic woes Years of economic sanctions from the West have hurt the Iranian economy by preventing trade. Today, many people in Iran support relations with the West and want American Companies to come back to Iran. However, the US has resisted renewing economic trade because the Iran government has been experimenting with nuclear technology.

Iran Nuclear Deal The US recently inked a deal with the Iran government, led by Hassan Rouhani, which limits the Iranian nuclear Program, but also allows the US to renew trade. The Iranians can develop nuclear power for electrical purposes but not for weapons. They must also agree to searches by UN inspectors.

What is the meaning?

Summary After Iran became a modernized nation, it aligned itself with the Americans. The people of Iran grew unhappy with their leader, the Shah, for his overspending and limited democracy. The US got involved to keep the Shah in power, until he was ousted by Khomeini. In response the US began economic sanctions against Iran that have lasted until 2015, when a Nuclear Deal was reached.

Review