Download On your Left Side

Iran: What’s in a Name?
• Historically known as Persia until 1935,
when Reza Shah Pahlavi asked for the
country to be called by its native
name
• Iran means “Land of the Aryans”
• Persia derived from ancient Greek
name for Iran, Persis
– Name comes from a region in southern
Iran called Pars
Location
• Asia: The Middle East
• North: former Soviet Republics
• South: Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
• East: Afghanistan, Pakistan
• West: Turkey, Iraq
• Major Cities: Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad,
Esfahan, Shiraz
Map: The Persian Cat
The Geography of Iran
Iranian Oil Resources
Early History
• 6,000 years of civilization and 2,500 years of
written history.
• 1,400 years of post-Islamic history since the Arab
conquest in 7th century AD: religious and national
subordination and never-ending conflict.
• Median Dynasty (728-550 BC): created first
Iranian Empire
• Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736): conversion of
population towards Shi’ism
• Qajar Dynasty (1781-1925): constitutional
dynasty; British and Russian spheres of influence
History of Iran
• In 1921, an Iranian
military officer took power
claimed the old Persian
title of “Shah”, or king.
• In 1941 the Shah’s son
took control who was an
ally to the United States
and Britain. He also
wanted to modernize
Iran.
Iran and the Cold War
• During WWII, Iran was an ally of the Nazis.
• So the USSR and Britain invaded the
country in 1942 in order to secure oil fields.
• Following WWII, the Soviet Union refused
to leave Iran until 1946, when the United
States threatened to invade Iran and
remove the Soviets by force.
Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979)
• Ruled Iran from the crowning of Reza
Shah Pahlavi in 1925 to the
overthrow of Reza Shah Pahlavi's son
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the
Iranian Revolution of 1979.
• By the mid-1930s Reza Shah's
dictatorial style of rule caused
dissatisfaction among some groups
• Dynasty collapsed following
widespread uprisings in 1978 and
1979.
• Its collapse marks a break in the
ancient tradition of Iranian
monarchy.

Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh,
(There are two spellings of his last
name…)Prime
Minister
of
Iran
Became Prime Minister
in 1951.
 Nationalized the
foreign oil companies.
 Got rid of corrupt
military officials.
 Was toppled in a coup
aided by the America
CIA in 1953.
 The Shah of Iran
returns to power.
Q4
EVENT: 1953 CIA coup overthrew
Mossadeq
• CIA and British
intelligence (MI6)
worked together to
overthrow the popularly
elected Iranian Prime
Minister Mohammed
Mossadeq
CAUSES: 1953 CIA coup overthrew
Mossadeq
• Mossadeq nationalized
(government controlling) the
Iranian oil industry, shutting out
the British oil companies who
previously profited from it.
• When Britain boycotted (refused
to buy) Iranian oil, Iran sold oil to
the Soviet Union
• These moves made Mossadeq
look like a Communist to
American President Eisenhower
(COLD WAR!)
• The CIA and MI6 (British
Intelligence) plotted to overthrow
Mossadeq
• (watch video)
EFFECTS: 1953 CIA coup overthrew
Mossadeq
• Shah given more power in Iran,
but became increasingly
paranoid
• Shah began a program of
modernization and
westernization
• Shah was allied with the US, and
the US supported the Shah
• Britain regained access to
Iranian oil
On your Left Side, examine this picture and answer the question.
Here’s a picture of the Shah having a drink with American President
Carter. Think about this image. What would a devout Muslim in Iran
think about it? Why?
• On your Left Side, answer:
• What do you think about
the United States and CIA
involvement in Iran? Why?
Shah Reza Pahlavi
(r. 1941 – 1977)
 Institutes Western
reforms & ties with
the West .
 But, the majority of
his people live in
poverty.
 Brutal suppression of
dissidents  SAVAK
Q5
The Shah
& His Wife, Farah
Iranian elite/upper- and
intellectual classes: very proWestern.
“The White Revolution”
The Shah’s Reform Program (1963)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Land reform – 90% of Iran’s peasants became land owners.
Massive government-financed heavy industry projects.
Granted women more political power – the right to vote.
Poured government money into education – especially in rural areas
where illiteracy was very high.
5. Profit-sharing for industrial workers.
6. Nationalization of forests and pasture lands.
The Shah at George Washington’s
Home, 1950s
The Shah with Several American
Presidents
The Shah with President Jimmy
Carter
On your Left Side, answer:
• What aspects of the Shah’s rule
violated the beliefs and
practices of Islam?
• Why would these actions lead to
the rise of Islamic
Fundamentalism in Iran?
Iran: Iranian Revolution
• Unfortunately for Shah
Reza Pahlavi, the
modernization programs
were unpopular.
• In 1979, he was
overthrown during
the Islamic
Revolution.
Reasons for the
Fall of the Shah
 The Shah spent the oil profits for top of the line
American military hardware.
 Little money to reinvest back into the Iranian
economy.
 Religious leaders angry with the Shah for too much
“Westernization.”
 Government corruption.
 The Shah’s constitutional violations of the basic
human rights of his citizens.
CAUSES: 1979 Islamic Revolution
in Iran
• The Shah used violence,
torture, and the SAVAK
(secret police) to remain in
power
• The economy worsened
• Many Iranians wanted to
return to a democratic
government
• The Shah’s reforms
insulted devout Muslims
• Ayatollah Khomeini
preached revolution in
mosques (the “Cassette
Revolution”)
Anti-Shah
Protests
Opponents of the Shah
• On your Left Side,
Students and other
• Why do you think
intellectuals
each of these groups
Middle class
had issues with the
businessmen
Shah’s reign?
Iranian nationalists
• Explain and give
Muslim clerics (Cleric is
examples.
1. Oil field workers
2.
3.
4.
5.
a member of the clergy
or religious figure in
Islam; like a priest for
Catholics or a rabbi for
Jews.)
Anti-American Pin
(1960s)
• On your Left Side,
answer:
• What cause of the
Iranian Revolution
does this political
button address?
Iranian Students Protest in
Beverley Hills
Anarchy & Revolution
The Shah leaves Iran on 1/16/79. Facing likely
execution should he return to Iran, he died in exile in
Egypt, whose President, Anwar Sadat, had granted him
asylum
Ayatollah Khomeini
Leads the Revolution
Khomeini returns to Iran
on February 11, 1979.
Q7
Islamic Revolution (1979)
• Transformed Iran from a monarchy under Pahlavi dynasty to an
Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of
the revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic.
• It has been called the third great revolution in history
• Helped make Islamic fundamentalism a political force
• Constitution based on rule by Islamic jurists
– Khomeini—Supreme leader (lifetime appointment)
– President—Head of the Government
– Cabinet
– Supreme Court
– Legislation
Ayatollah Khomeini
(r. 1979-1989)
 1902 – 1989.
 Became an Islamic scholar (studied in
Qom).
 Began to speak out against
the Shah in the 1960s.
 Arrested and imprisoned
several times by the Shah.
 Deported in 1978 & went
to France.
EFFECTS: 1979 Islamic Revolution
in Iran
• Shah fled Iran, took his
money with him!
• Ayatollah Khomeini
returned to Iran
• Iran became an Islamic
theocracy, ruled by
Sharia Law
• The new government
was anti-American (“The
Great Satan”) and antiIsraeli
• Hostage crisis and the
Iran-Iraq War
Triumphant Muslim Clerics & Iranian Soldiers
A theocracy is created!
Q8
SAVAK Suspects Taken
The Fate of the Shah’s Generals
Iranian Revolutionary Poster
• The caption reads: When the devil leaves, the
angel returns!
• On your Left Side: What changes does this poster
specifically refer to? Explain.
On your Left Side,
•Design your own
political button for in
support of the
changes made by the
Ayatollah.
American Embassy in
Tehran Taken Over
Q9
Iran: Takes American Hostages
• Iran’s new government
set up an Islamic
Republic.
• Relations with the United
States broke down.
• In 1979, a mob of Iranian
students took Americans
hostage.
Iran: Takes American Hostages
• The Iranian
government gave
permission for the
Americans to be
taken hostage.
• The Americans were
held by force for over
1 year.
52 Americans Held Hostage for
444 Days!
On your Left Side:
• Imagine you were one of the hostages.
What do you think was going to happen to
you based upon the recent events of the
Iranian Revolution?
• Explain.
President Carter Becomes a
Hostage, Too
Hostage Rescue Disaster
52 American Hostages
Released in Jan., 1981
EFFECTS: 1979 Iran Hostage
Crisis
• Anti-Iranian feeling in US (sale
of Iranian flags actually
increased!)
• President Carter seen as having
failed to gain release of
hostages
• Conservative Republican
President Ronald Reagan won
1980 Presidential election in US
• Hostages released on Reagan’s
inauguration in exchange for $8
billion ($5 billion was used by
Iran to pay debts to US anyway)
• Khomeini needed money with
war against Iraq looming
1980s—strained time with US
• 52 U.S. diplomats held hostage by group of Iranian
terrorists who took over American embassy in
support of the Islamic revolution.
• 444 day hostage crisis ended in 1981
• The incident was seen by many as a blow against
U.S. influence in Iran and its support of the recently
fallen Shah of Iran, Pahlavi, who had recently been
allowed into the United States for cancer treatment.
• In Iran, the crisis is thought to have strengthened the
political hold of radical anti-American forces who
supported the hostage taking.
• The crisis also marked the beginning of American
legal action, or sanctions, that weakened
economic ties between Iran and America.
The Khomeini Revolution
Women in Iran
A woman’s hijab represents her
Islamic and moral values.
Political Cartoon Commentary
On your Left side:
What is the message of this
political cartoon?
Explain.
The dictatorship is gone! Bring on the
dictatorship!
Support for the Palestinian
Cause
Funds Hamas and
Hezbollah.
The Ayatollah with
Yasir Arafat.
Iran
• The Iranian
Revolution (1979)
was followed by the
Iraq/Iran War which
began in 1980 (and
discussed earlier in
this presentation).
Khomeini’s Death
(June, 1989)
Iran: Government
Iran: Government
• Iran is a theocracy – a
government ruled by
religious leaders.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The Ayatollah represents the fundamentalist
Mullahs.
Iran: Government
• An expert on Islamic
law is the supreme
leader.
Ayatollah Khatami
The Ayatollah is considered a political moderate.
Q12
Support for the Shi’ites in Iraq
Today
Moqtada al-Sadr, radical Shi’ite leader in
Fallujah, Iraq
Iran: Government
• Iran has an elected
president and
legislature (chosen by
the spiritual leader).
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad





Born 1956
Engineer, Party: Alliance of Builders of
Islamic Iran
Elected mayor of Tehran in 2003
Won ~60% of the popular vote in 2005
presidential election
Outspoken and often controversial for his
views on Israel, the US, Great Britain, and
human rights
The Summer 2009 Elections (June 12)



Candidates Ahmadinejad and Mir-Hussein Mousavi
receive 62% and 34% of the popular vote,
respectively
Public outcry came against wide-spread accusations
of voting irregularities
Video Commentary
–
This link is one of a HUGE amount of material on
this election available online. The elections were
Tweeted, Facebooked, 24 hour news networked,
commented, Wikied, Huffington Posted, and more!
–
A little online digging goes a long way.
On your Left Side, answer:
CARTOON 1:
Is this cartoon in support of Ahmadinejad or
Mousavi?
What does the cartoon suggest about the
government in Iran?
On your Left Side, answer:
Is this cartoon in support of Ahmadinejad or
Mousavi?
Who are the bearded men in black meant to
symbolize?
What is the skeletal remains of the horse
meant to represent?
What does the artist imply about the reform
movement’s opinion of the United States?
On your Left Side, answer:
Is this cartoon in support of Ahmadinejad or
Mousavi?
What does the cartoon suggest about the role of
the Supreme Leader in the election?
Who or what is the “loser” according to the
cartoon?
What does this cartoon imply about democracy in
Iran?
Iran: Governmental Policies
• Iran’s government
has supported many
hard-line policies.
• For example: call for
the destruction of
Israel
• For example:
supported terrorist
groups
Another Nuclear Power?
US satellite photo of Iranian
nuclear facility near Arak.
An American view of Iranian nuclear power: What
children’s story is this political cartoon playing off of?
PINOCCHIAYATOLLAH
Scott Stantis (Birmingham News) 1/28/05
A view of Iran’s nuclear power
from Al-Jazeerah
Nobody else (particularly Iran and Arab countries) should have nuclear
weapons except Israel, says Bush.
-- Hassan Bleybel 10/23/03
On your Left Side,
• What is the cartoonist’s
main point or position in
the following political
cartoon?
• How do you know?
Iranian Demographics
• Population—nearly 70
million
• Life expectancy at
birth—69 years
• Birth rate—17 per 1,000
persons
• Death rate—6 per 1,000
persons
• Literacy rate—72%
0-14 yrs
15-29 yrs
30-50 yrs
60+ yrs
Persian Language (Iran)
‫ڢارسى‬
• Also called “Farsi”
• Indo-European (Aryan)
• Dialects of Persian also spoken in
Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and among
minorities in other states
• Arabic alphabet (with some differences)
and some borrowed words from Arabic
Ethnicity and Religion
• Although there are
various sub-groups, the
majority of Iranians would
say their religion is Islam.
• The largest ethnic group
in Iran is Persians,
followed by Azeris.
Persians
Azeris
Kurds
Arabs
Other
Shi'a
Muslim
(Islam)
Sunni
Muslim
(Islam)
Other
Economy
• Mixed System:
– Large and dominating public sector
– Small private sector
– Multinational corporations
• Structure:
– Agriculture 24%
– Industry 28%
– Services 48%
• Major Exports: petroleum, carpets, nuts
• Major Imports: capital goods, food items
• Unemployment rate: 16% and rising
Another Future Revolution?
A Youth Powered Society
• Youth Demographic
– Between 15-29 years old—25 million
(35%)
– Median age—26 years old
– Legal voting age—16 years old
• Issue of high concern
– High unemployment
Women in Iran
• Higher Education—65%
• Changing Marriage and Child Custody
Laws
– Shirin Edabi: Nobel Peace Prize 2003
• Professional life
– Women in all aspects of work force
– Inequality in senior and managerial jobs
Women and the Islamic Dress Code
A “Shah” in the
Waiting?
Reza Pahlavi (III?),
43 year-old son of the deposed Shah.