With his charismatic nature that allowed him to connect with all the groups of the opposition, Khomeini led the revolution and overthrew the Shah. For the religious and traditional masses of Iranians, he represented authentic Shi’a Iranian culture. For the idealistic students who were the leaders of the revolution, he represented unconventional defiance against the Shah’s regime. Khomeini understood the pain and alienation of all of his followers, who felt separated from their own Islamic culture as a result of the Shah’s westernization, and his charisma allowed him to unify the opposition against the Shah. With mass demonstrations all throughout Iran that immobilized the country, the Shah had no choice but to abdicate his position as monarch …show more content…
The west, who trusted the Shah to rule Iran safely with the help of CIA trained SAVAK, never picked up on the momentum of the revolution within Iran. They perceived that the Shah had Iran under control and therefore did not intervene until it was too late. The Shah also had a misperception of Khomeini and his revolution. The Shah believed that by exiling Khomeini from Iran, he had taken care of any threat Khomeini posed. He was oblivious to the fact, however, that Khomeini had been establishing himself and nurturing anger towards the Shah ever since the White Revolution, sending cassette tapes into Iran from his exile in Paris with his preachings. With these tapes, Khomeini inspired demonstrations and unrest within Iran until the Shah was forced to abdicate in 1979. Finally, Khomeini also perpetuated a misperception that the groups of the opposition, including the bazarris, the peasants, and the Ulema, had the same goals and complaints. This perception unified the opposition under an ambiguous banner whose broad definition promoted inclusion and …show more content…
Even today, Iran has largely maintained its anti-American stance, and conflict between the two nations is tangible. The United States, still wary of Iran’s hate for all western influence, keeps sanctions on Iran, in an attempt to restrict Iran's nuclear power. To many Americans, Iran is considered part of the Axis of Evil, a nation of terrorists and radical Muslims. In Iran, there still exist many ‘death to America’ slogans. With Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, however, the United States and Iran have started restoring diplomatic relations. We can only hope that Iran and the US will find enough common ground to break the shackles of
In All The Shah’s Men there seems to be a very strong hatred for all foreign powers, including the United States, taken by the citizens of Iran. I believe that this ultimately occurred because of the impatience of certain government officials in Washington D.C., and also in Great Britain. If only there could have been better communication between countries, I feel that there would have been a solution reached. The stubbornness of the British for the most part, led to many lives being lost, and a feeling of perpetual disgust being shown towards the United States for their involvement. Although the British were our allies and we did have an extreme fear of communism taking over the free world, this coup was disorganized, forced along too quickly, and put forth without any guidance or strong evidence, which in the end proved to completely defy what the United States was trying to impose on the world, and what Mossadegh was trying to give his people; freedom and democracy.
From 1941 to 1979 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, commonly known as Mohammad Reza, or simply the Shah, led Iran as successor to his father, Reza Shah Pahlavi. Mohammad often went against his vows of constitutional monarchy by using the Iranian secret police, SAVAK, to suppress his political opponents. Mohammad Reza's domestic policy focused on a series of reform policies to modernize the country. His foreign policy focused on an effort to abolish sovietism, and become an ally of the western powers and the US. Shah's rule is characterized as dictatorial, a period of major domestic and constitutional reform, as well as a period in which Iran established itself as a major regional power. Mohammad Reza attempted to rid the region of foreign influence, mainly that of the Soviets and communism, in an effort to grow the countries individual power. As a means to reach this goal, Mohammad Reza instituted reforms to modernize the country. However, as stated on the official website of Farah Pahlavi, his rule did not follow the emerging ideas of democracy and brought opposition from many of the traditionalist, and nationalists with different priorities. Overall, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's domestic reforms were largely ineffective in reaching his goals, whereas his foreign goals were largely met.
Born Ruhollah Mousavi in 1902 near the village of Khomeini, Iran which he would later adopt as his surname, Ayatollah Khomeini would go on to become the most evil despot of all time. From the beginning, the roots of his malevolence were nurtured by his circumstances. His father, Seyed Moustafa Hindi, an Islamic scholar and prominent citizen of Khomeini, was murdered in his infancy, leaving him to be raised by his mother and aunt, who both succumbed to a cholera outbreak during his adolescence. Following their deaths, and the culmination of World War I, he left home to study at the Islamic seminary in Arak, and later Qom, under the guidance of Ayatollah Yadzi, a contemporary Shia authority. Khomeini himself soon became a leading Shia scholar, as he published numerous literary works and gave lectures at leading seminaries on his way to amassing a large and loyal following. In 1963, he was anointed as a member of the marja, the supreme legal authority within the Shia sect, forming a basis of power from which he would launch his political career (Algar). This could not have come at a worse time for Iran, as Mohammad Reza Shah was beginning to enact his “White Revolution” which sought to use the vast wealth that Iran had acquired from oil production to bring the nation out of feudalism, improve infrastructure, modernize the government, and give rights to women and religious minorities (Reynolds Wolfe). Khomeini vehemently opposed the Shah’s plan because of the perceived influence of the United States and Israel and insisted that Iran must be a theocracy under Sharia Law. Because of his views, he was exiled from Iran; however, he continued speaking out against the Shah’s regime for the full extent of...
During the course of the centuries, Christianity has both flourished and declined in the Persian region. The flourishing, initiated by the first leaders of the Christian Church, has dissolved over time and has become oppressed by other beliefs and faiths, specifically Islam. Blood, sweat, and tears of many persecuted Christians saturate the arid lands, which Islamists primarily inhabit. Many of those Islamists live in direct antipathy to the Christian minority. The current Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, once said that “their (Christians) goal is to weaken the (Islamic) religion within the society” (“The Cost of Faith” 15). Many Iranians also feel this way, and have certainly not accepted the existence of a Christian minority within their country gently. From the Islamic conquest in the 7th century, to the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iranians have not let up on their subjugation of Christians. Indeed Christianity has witnessed various forms of deterrents to their religion, from the modern day imprisonments and executions to the ancient ways of leaders such as Shapur II, who would have them burned or fed to animals (Price 1). The government of Iran has acted severely towards Christians, subjecting them to harsh consequences for not turning from their religion, such as prolonged imprisonment and even ex-judicial killings. Despite all of this, many Christians living under these harsh conditions persevere and Christianity still receives new followers. Christianity in Iran has suffered and continues to suffer at the hands of a militant Islamic regime, and although this is nothing new, it receives little publicity in the West, something...
The Iranian revolution began with the overthrow of then leader Reza Shah, who was a non-
Throughout the 20th century, the United States tried to control Iran to ensure the exportation of oil to America. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi came to power in 1941 and became allies with the United States. However in the 1950s, Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh began to gain political power. Unlike the Shah, he was extremely against western influence in Iran. Mossadegh won national elections and he demanded more power. In order to retain influence in Iran, the CIA helped overthrow Mossadegh and bring Pahlavi back to power....
Under the Shah's son, Iranian citizens were often whipped, killed execution style, or went to prison for speaking out. Brainwashing people into believing, that the way to heaven was by obeying the Shah's rules and if they did not honor the Shah they would go to hell. After the deposing of the shah by revolution, the people of Iran elected a democratic leader.... ... middle of paper ...
Iran had suffered and prospered through many different rises of power in the 20th century; these changes caused anger in the Iranian people. The time leading up to the revolution was characterized a fight for power between the Western influences and the Islamic people. In 1979 the people of the Iran led by Ruhollah Khomeini considered to be an enemy of the state. He was born in about 1900 in the town of Khomein. He was raised in the tradition of Shiite Islam; because of the death of his father he became more spiritual and faithful. On March 31, 1961, Ayatollah Boroujerdi died and Khomeini was in a position to take up the mantle left by the late religious leader. After publishing his writings on Islamic science and doctrines, many Shi'ite Iranians began to see Khomeini as Marja-e Taqlid (Biography channel website ). He wanted to start the first “government of God” (Berlatsky 26). He was thought to be a threat to the Shah decided that they had enough of his attempts to overthrow the government; he had been exiled for 14 years. With him as the leader of the Islamic uprising people flocked to his side to support. The placement of he Shah by America in the 1960’s was their final straw. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 has been described as one of the most notable events of the twentieth century; it began a period of time in which the Islamic culture was fighting against the modernization in many nations where Islam was the main religion. There is a huge difference between an unsuccessful revolution in which the beginners of the revolution are diminished and their demands not met. But when it is look at, the Iranian Revolution is seen as successful revolution in which all the needs of fight...
The Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) rests in the volatile Middle East and borders Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan. World History recognizes Iran as Persia until 1935. The Persian Empire lasted from 549 B.C. to 1935 and was one of the longest spanning and greatest empires in history (Ansari). Today, Iran is a major player on the world stage and affects the economies of its neighbors and the world. An analysis of Iranian culture with respect to the United States Army includes political, military, economic, social, infrastructure, physical environment, time aspects, and civil considerations and is important in the planning of company level operations.
The Iranian revolution was a movement that rejected westernization and sought to reinstate religious law in Iran. Before 1980 Iran was a westernized country, the people enjoyed freedom, were provided with liberal educations, and did not endure severe oppression (Satrapi 1). In her book, “Persepolis,” Marjane Satrapi writes, “The year before, in 1979, we were in a French non-religious school, where boys and girls were together” (4). However, a resistance began to form of Iranians who rejected westernization and wanted an Islamic government (Satrapi 2). After their movement gained traction and the shah fled Iran, a transformation began (Satrapi 2). The revolution brought severe oppression of citizens, especially women. Marjane Satrapi would soon
In February of 1979, Muhammad Reza Shah was in exile and Ayatollah Khomeini arrived as the triumphant leader of a revolution. Throughout the remainder of the year, the execution of former prime ministers, SAVAK agents, and high- ranking military officers took place. Muhammad Reza Shah’s regime was no longer in power and the Iranian Revolution was in full effect, but what caused this rapid shift of power? In the years leading up to the revolution, the Shah implemented the White Revolution in attempts to modernize Iran. The White Revolution was an attempt to turn Iran into an economic power, however; it went against many of the core beliefs of Islam. The White revolution of the 1960’s and 1970’s caused the Iranian revolution because it marginalized
Ayatollah Boroujerdi died in 1961 giving Khomeini the opportunity to vie for the position of the next major religious leader. He succeeded and became the grand ayatollah. Khomeini’s political involvement in Iran increased and became more public. As the Shah continued enacting reforms that distanced Iran more and more from Islamic customs and values, Khomeini began actively protesting. Khomeini’s most notable protest was in June of 1963. In essence, he made a speech denouncing the Shah and claiming that the Iranians wanted to see the Shah leave the country. Because of a repression of freedom of speech at the time, Khomeini was arrested for negative comments about the government. Some Iranians protested...
Shah was the Supreme leader of Iran. The vast majority of people did not agree with his economic decisions and as a result he was overthrown by his people. His bad financial decisions led to high levels of inflation and a low standard of living. Wikipedia stated that, “Shah was perceived by many Iranians as beholden to if not a puppet of a non-Muslim Western power (the United States).”(Wikipedia; Background and causes of the Iranian revolution).
The Islamic Republic of Iran, formerly known as Iran or Persia, was crowded with a young generation looking for full freedom against the Shah. Persia, once as a powerful country with vast oil resources, soon became a vulnerable nation, ready to accept a new leader to guide them. The people were ready for change, but were the changes they got the changes they were looking for. The people wanted freedom against the shah, (For generations Iran was ruled by Kings) who allowed some freedoms, but it was somewhat limited. The people wanted freedom of speech, so that the press could freely publish their own opinions. They wanted to get rid of a law that made all eighteen-year-old males attend two years of military service unless they are accepted to a university, which would allow them attend the army later as a service worker. The shah was anti-religious, which was not ideal for many of the civilians in Iran. Savak (Secret organization of Iran) was accused of many anti – human rights actions, such as killing students who protested and immediately jailing press members for inappropriate conduct. A major problem was that the shah was a “puppet” of the United States many say, because the Shah would constantly confer with the U.S. of all of his decisions as ruler. The after affects of the revolution resulted in similar conditions, however. Human rights are horrible, the government limits all freedoms, the economy has suffered greatly, average salaries are hard to live with, most of the educated people in Iran fled to foreign countries, the quality of public schools is horrible, and the government still controls all television broadcasts and keeps a watchful eye on the newspapers. From bad to worse is what many people feel has become of Iran, but the people are ready for a real change.
After the Shah returned to power, he depended on the Western powers (mainly the United States) for support against his opposition. He continued to follow the road to Westernization, and formed the SAVAK, a secret police supported by the CIA after the coup, to quell domestic protests and continue censoring the press. The SAVAK became a powerful force that provoked fear and allowed the shah to dominate Iran. Mohammad's strict rule suppressed political and socials freedoms and emphasized the nation's social inequality. Many Iranians wished for a return to peace, equality, and justice, which they found in their own Islamic religion, an eventual cause of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.