Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran

Comparing Iran Only Theocracy we study. – Government ruled by religion. Rentier State: Oil – Russia & Nigeria Economic and Political Indicators – NIC or LDC?

Economic & Political Indicators

Nationalism & Religion Nationalism Pride in Persian history/heritage – Cyrus the Great: 550 B.C. Conquered by Alexander the Great: 332 B.C. * Retained local rule and culture

Nationalism and Religion Religion Prophet Zoroaster (circa B.C.) – Monotheistic religion (Zoroastrianism) – Took root in Persia Arab invasion (7 th century) – Brought Islam to Persian culture – New monotheistic religion easily incorporated.

Shiite v. Sunni Division: – after Prophet Muhammad’s death, 632. Sunnis – Prominent leaders should choose a new leader. – Today: overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide. Shiites (Shiism) – Leader should come from Muhammad’s family. – Today: high concentration in Iran and Iraq.

Shiism Imams: – Heirs of Muhammad’s son-in-law – 12 th Imam disappeared 900s (The Hidden Imam). Hidden Imam’s return will mark the end of the world. Ayatollahs: – Senior religious leaders who interpret sharia

Four Periods of Iranian History 1.The Safavids ( ) 2.The Qajars ( ) 3.The Pahlavis ( ) 4.The Islamic Republic (1979- Present)

1. The Safavids ( ) Authoritarian monarch titled as “shah.” – King of kings. Established Shiism as the state religion – 90% of Iran was Shiite (Shi’i) by mid 1600s. Claimed to be heirs of Islam until Hidden Imam’s return. Tolerated “People of the Book” – Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians – Monotheistic faiths that had holy books. 1722: Afghani tribesmen invaded; period of instability.

2. The Qajars ( ) Turkish invaders. Moved capital to Tehran. Retained Shiism as state religion. – Reduced link between church and state. – No link to 12 Imams. Age of European Imperialism – Oil rights in southwest sold to British – Borrowed heavily from European banks

Qajar Dynasty

Constitutional Revolution ( ) Qajars: Fiscally irresponsible Middle class merchants: – Led massive protests – Shah’s guard (COSSACK BRIGADE) threatened to join protestors

Constitution of 1906 Popular sovereignty Separation of powers Direct election of legislators Created the MAJLES – National legislative assembly – Power to make laws – Influence over the budget Created the GUARDIAN COUNCIL – Clerics that could veto laws based on sharia.

End of Qajars Financial woes continue Constitution weakened the Shah World War I Russia occupied Northern Iran Britain occupied Southern Iran Iranians controlled a small area in Central Iran

3. The Pahlavis ( ) Reza Khan Pahlavi – Commander of Cossack Brigade Drove out Soviets following WWI. – Supported by British. Reestablished authoritarian rule in Iran – Majles=rubber stamp Modernization programs Secularization of society – No beards; no veils – No religious schools (created free state-run schools)

Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ( ) 21-years old Power struggle with Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq – Majles gave Mossadeq emergency powers Placed British oil under Iranian Control. Sympathetic to U.S.S.R.

CIA in Iran ( ) CIA staged riots and protests – Mossadeq fled – Shah returned to power (1953) Strong U.S. ally from

“The Evolution of Revolution” What are the causes of the Iranian Revolution?

Iranian Revolution (1979) Ayatollah Khomeini – Shiite cleric Reasons for Revolt 1.Progressivism v. Islamic Fundamentalism Shah– pro-U.S. Khomeini– Fundamentalist Islam White Revolution (1963) Anti-clericalism Targeted Qom (center of Islam) 2.Neglect Lower Class 3.SAVAK: oppressive police force.

IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, January 1979: Shah flees Iran February 1979: Khomeini returns to Iran October 1979: Shah comes to U.S. November 4, 1979: Iranians storm U.S. embassy in Tehran. Take 52 Hostages. Demand Return of the Shah. July 1980: Shah dies.

April 1980: Operation Eagle Claw Failed rescue attempt helicopters and refueling plane collide. 8 commandos killed.

End of Hostage Crisis January 1981: After 444 Days. Released the moment Reagan was sworn in as president.

4. The Islamic Republic (1979-Present) New Regime solidifies control. – Charisma of Khomeini – Iran Hostage Crisis Iranians rallied around Khomeini and other hard-line Muslims (not secularists and moderates) – Iran-Iraq War, – Cultural Revolution

Iran-Iraq War, Khomeini called for overthrow of Saddam. – Sunni: came to power in Saddam attacked Iran. ½ to 1 million Iranian causalities. Ended in stalemate. U.S. indirectly supported Iraq. Significance Regime consolidated power through national unity. Suppression of opposition.

Cultural Revolution ( ) Highlight examples of actions taken by the Iranian Government during the Cultural Revolution.

Cultural Revolution, Education System: – Primary agent of Islamic socialization. Purged universities of leftists and secularists. Universities closed from – Center of anti-regime activism – Reopened under the control of Islamic regime Curricula at all school levels emphasized: – Religious Studies-- Islamic Revolution – Islamic culture-- Anti-western Successful or unsuccessful? Similarities with Chinese Cultural Revolution?