Iran Before and After the Revolution

Iran – Before and After the 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.

Iran was a country ruled by the Shah (King), who began his rule in the beginning of the 1950’s. He would help Iran greatly improve conditions. He began to improve relations with the United States securing oil deposits throughout Iran with American companies. However, the shah slowly became more and more dependent on the United States. He began asking the United States for advice on almost every decision he made. Although no such reports were printed in the United States (to my knowledge) there are sources, which lived in Iran and experienced a...

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...absolutely hate this government and the protests in Washington D.C. show that people are ready for a real change this time. Officers in Iran are confronting women for showing a little bit of hair from the head or wearing too much make-up, something women are sick of hearing. Couples are not permitted to date before marriage. If you are young and get caught with a man/woman you will be taken to the city jail. Many newspapers are being shut down, because of certain remarks about the Iranian government. This seems extremely harsh and with the recent burning of the entire college campus, people are in rage. Also a recent comment by Ayatollah Khameini states that “ I am perfect, otherwise I wouldn’t be making all the right decisions.” This just bursts the lid on many, because obviously no human is perfect. The beginning of the end is near for this so called democracy in Iran. Hopefully a compromise can be made before anymore lives are lost.

Works Cited:

IRAN TIMES : Newspaper published in Washington D.C.

Various Articles Used : Nov 23, 1999 - Dec 18, 199 - Feb 6, 2000

TBS: DOCUMENTARY: IRAN SINCE REVOLUTION (Not sure of exact title)

1999

ENCARTA ENCYCLOPEDIA 1997 : IRAN