Focus 4/16 As Middle Eastern leaders like Turkey’s Ataturk and Iran’s Reza Khan Pahlavi attempted to modernize their countries, they came into conflict with Muslim fundamentalists who wanted to maintain strict traditional customs. Muslim fundamentalists opposed secular role and supported a more religious type of government. Pont for Discussion: What were some reforms made by Ataturk? Term to Know: Secular Critical Lens: Ataturk was a westernizer.

Iranian Revolution Iran

Road to Iranian Revolution Reza Khan Pahlavi -Modernizes and Westernizes Iran -Builds factories and railroads -Adopts western alphabet and western clothing -Replaces Muslim Law with Secular Law -Supports wealthy urban Iranian, not Muslim clerics

Road to Iranian Revolution 1953 – Reza Khan’s grandson, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi takes control heavily supported by U.S. and Britain by overthrowing a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh

Road to Iranian Revolution Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi continues to modernize/westernize Iran and rules as a dictator

Road to Iranian Revolution Iran early 1970s

Road to Iranian Revolution Shah Pahlavi’s rule comes under question by many different groups: -Those who want democracy -Those who want socialism -Those who support Islamic Fundamentalism

Iranian Revolution In the 1970s, the Shah’s power comes under attack by all these groups, but exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, a Islamic fundamentalist, becomes the leader of the opposition Ayatollah is the name given a Shiite Muslim Legal Expert

Iranian Revolution With protests mounting, the Shah flees Iran in 1979

Iranian Revolution Khomeini and the Islamic Fundamentalists take over the country and declare Iran an Islamic Republic

Iranian Revolution 2005 – Despite complaints by the United States, Israel, and other Western powers Iran begins an aggressive nuclear program under leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinjad

Iranian Revolution Impacts of Iranian Revolution -New Iranian government is very hostile to West, especially U.S. -Government requires strict adherence to Muslim religion -Most rights taken away from women -Iranian militants seized U.S. embassy and take American hostages -Iran encourages other Muslim countries to overthrow secular governments