MONARCHY TO THEOCRACY, SHAH TO AYATOLLAH IRANIAN REVOLUTION MONARCHY TO THEOCRACY, SHAH TO AYATOLLAH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

REVOLUTIONARY IMAGES

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

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