From the World Wars to the Modern World Iran From the World Wars to the Modern World

Driving Question Is oil a blessing or a curse for the people of the Middle East? More Specifically: How has oil and Western influence impacted the people of Iran?

In your groups… What do you know about Iran? What do you think you know about Iran? What would you like to know about Iran?

Basic Geography Historical Persia Very Mountainous in North and West Seat of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire Safavid Dynasty (Rivals to the Ottoman Empire) Very Mountainous in North and West Fertile River Basins Desert Plateaus Oil Fields

Basic Facts to Start Us Off… Iran is officially titled the Islamic Republic of Iran While Iran is still a republic, there is a significant influence of religion, enough to classify Iran as a theocracy. The Supreme Leader, the highest official in Iran, is a Shia Cleric. Iran was once on friendly terms with the United States, but since the Revolution of 1979, Iran has been hostile to Western nations. Iran is an energy-rich nation, the 4th-largest producer of oil in the world. There are serious concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and its intent.

Basic Facts About Iran Current Supreme Leader: Current President: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Current President: Hassan Rouhani

Early 20th Century For centuries, Persia (Iran) had been a major challenger to the Ottoman Empire. Iran also challenged the Russian Empire in the North. During the Great War, Britain occupied much of Iran in its war against the Ottomans. In the Second World War, the Reza Shah, or king of Iran, was suspected of having pro-Axis sympathies. British and Soviet forces occupied Iran for much of the war, and overthrew the Shah, installing his son, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, as the new Shah.

Mid 20th Century After WWII, Iran dealt with continued Soviet occupation. Iran began to make moves toward democracy. In 1951, Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh attempted to nationalize the oil industry, cutting out Western influence from Iran’s economy. CIA and MI6 performed a coup in which Mosaddegh was overthrown, and the Shah was given more autocratic power.

Road to Revolution After the coup, the Shah began to consolidate power and claimed to establish a more secular state. Ceremonies and media began to reflect a more autocratic move in governing. Critics of the Shah and the government were imprisoned and sent into exile Ruhollah Khomeini Extreme inflation became commonplace after the oil crisis of 1973, and recession followed in 1975-1976.

1979 Beginning in early 1978, growing numbers of people began to protest the government as mass demonstrations and strikes became common. Anti-Secularization reaction Economic Reaction In February 1979, the Shah fled Iran, and the Ayatollah (Ruhollah) Khomeini returned from exile, forming a new government. Counter-rebellions were quickly and violently subdued. Tens of thousands who were not “radical enough” or spoke out against the new regime were executed.

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Revolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w918Eh3fij0

Post-Revolution Cultural Revolution – Purging of Western though from higher education 1980 – Iran-Iraq War Slow progress toward reform – Ruhollah Kohmeini died in 1989, and several pro-reform presidents have held office since then Considerable hurdles to peaceful relationships remain Nuclear Agreements

Exit/Entrance Slip On a sheet of paper: Identify the major figures discussed from Iran who were significant in the road to revolution (3 total) What aspects of Iran’s recent history might make Western nations nervous about Iran having a nuclear program? What do you think was the most significant cause of Iran’s Revolution?