1. Iranian Revolution

2. Background on the Shah First came to power during WWII
Deposed in the late 1940’s
Reinstalled by a CIA- led coup in 1953 that was approved by the Eisenhower administration
Background on the Shah

3. The “ White” Revolution
Divested the clergy of their vast landholdings
Declared new rights for women
Right to vote
Right to attend university
Dramatically increased urbanization and industrialization
Ayatollah Khomeini is exiled after he criticizes the Shah
The “ White” Revolution

4. Most Iranians did not want to abandon their rich heritage for Western Ways
Found inspiration in the sermons of Muslim leaders who denounced the material West
The Shah maintained control with harsh repression and brutality
SAVAK
Westernize or Bust

5. The Shah Abdicates
Demonstrations increased demanding the Shah be deposed
Demonstrators demanded the return of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini
The Shah leaves the country on January 16th, 1979
The Ayatollah was invited back (February)

6. Sunday, November 4, 1979 the US Embassy in Teheran is stormed
66 hostages taken
13 released immediately (Women and African Americans)
“Marg Bar Amrika!”

7. Hostage Demands Return the Shah for trial
Return the Shah’s wealth to the people of Iran
Admission of guilt by the US
An apology and promise to stay out of Iran’s affairs
Hostage Demands

8. President Carter’s Response
Refused to send the Shah back
Froze all Iranian Government financial assets
Forbade American companies from buying Iranian oil
President Carter’s Response

9. Response at Home Renewed Patriotism Frustration
Crisis is a national obsession
Yellow ribbons
Frustration
April 7th: Carter cuts off diplomatic relations with Iran
Complete economic embarg0
Iranian assets in the US are seized and Iranian diplomats are told to leave within 24 hours
Response at Home

10. April 24th, 1980: Multiple step mission involving helicopters, buses, and the CIA
Flying at night and in a minor sandstorm
3 helicopters disabled, 1 collides with a transports killing 8 soldiers
Operation Eagle Claw

11. Carter Accepts the Blame
Ayatollah Khomeini claims the failure as a sign that God is with him, gaining more Iranian popularity
2nd rescue attempt is not possible as the hostages were them split up among many locations
Carter’s popularity sinks
The Shah dies in July
Carter Accepts the Blame

12. 1980 Presidential Campaign
Reagan realizes that the hostage issue would determine the elections
Promises return of the hostages
Wins in a landslide, Nov. 4th
1980 Presidential Campaign

13. Carter released $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets the morning of the inauguration
The Hostages board planes and come home
AMERICA!!
Hostages Freed