1. Background on the Iranian Revolution
For reading Persepolis

2. When and how did the Shah of Iran (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) come to power?
He became king on September 16, 1941, replacing his father (Reza Shah).
Britain and the USSR invaded and occupied large areas of Iran.
They forced Reza Shah to give up the throne, then they put his son “The Shah” in power.
Why do you think they did this?

3. What was the U.S.’s relationship with the Shah?
“Persian Corridor”
Iran became a major channel for sending aid to the USSR during WWII
U.S. continued to use Iran until the revolution in 1979

4. What kind of government did the Shah lead?
Crowned himself emperor in 1967
What does that reveal?
Claimed he would set up a constitutional monarchy, but didn’t…
Thwarted strong prime ministers
Expanded his own powers
Outlawed an influencial political party

5. When and how did the Shah lose power?
There was widespread discontent amongst the Iranian population in mid-1970s
Why? His regime was repressive, favored the wealthy, and was non-responsive to the people
Many different groups united in opposition to the shah

6. Who took over after the Shah?
“Islamic leaders, particularly the exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini, focused this discontent with a populist ideology tied to Islamic principles and calls for the overthrow of the shah.”
“The Shah's government collapsed following widespread uprisings in and consequently an Islamic Republic succeeded his regime.”

7. What was the role of Islamic fundamentalists in the overthrow of the Shah?
While the revolution was the result of diverse groups opposing the Shah, the fundamentalists took advantage of this dissent.
They instituted an “Islamic Republic” – a government based on religion (theocracy).
While it called itself republic, any opposition was squashed. Elections were rigged. The population became controlled.

8. Sources