islamic republic of iran
Post on 24-Feb-2016
80 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Islamic Republic of Iran
Capital:
Tehran
Comparing Iran
• Only Theocracy we study.– Government ruled by religion.
• Rentier State: Oil– Russia & Nigeria
• Economic and Political Indicators– NIC or LDC?
Economic & Political Indicators
Nationalism & Religion
Nationalism• Pride in Persian history/heritage– Cyrus the Great: 550 B.C.
• Conquered by Alexander the Great: 332 B.C.* Retained local rule and culture
Nationalism and Religion
Religion• Prophet Zoroaster (circa 700-500 B.C.)– Monotheistic religion (Zoroastrianism)– Took root in Persia
• Arab invasion (7th century)– Brought Islam to Persian culture– New monotheistic religion easily incorporated.
Shiite v. Sunni
• Division: – after Prophet Muhammad’s death, 632.
• Sunnis– Prominent leaders should choose a new leader.– Today: overwhelming majority of Muslims
worldwide.• Shiites (Shiism)– Leader should come from Muhammad’s family.– Today: high concentration in Iran and Iraq.
Shiism
• Imams:– Heirs of Muhammad’s son-in-law– 12th Imam disappeared 900s (The Hidden Imam).
• Hidden Imam’s return will mark the end of the world.
• Ayatollahs:– Senior religious leaders who interpret sharia
Four Periods of Iranian History
1. The Safavids (1501-1722)2. The Qajars (1794-1925)3. The Pahlavis (1925-1979)4. The Islamic Republic (1979- Present)
1. The Safavids (1501-1722)
• Authoritarian monarch titled as “shah.”– King of kings.
• Established Shiism as the state religion– 90% of Iran was Shiite (Shi’i) by mid 1600s.
• Claimed to be heirs of Islam until Hidden Imam’s return.• Tolerated “People of the Book”
– Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians– Monotheistic faiths that had holy books.
• 1722: Afghani tribesmen invaded; period of instability.
2. The Qajars (1794-1925)• Turkish invaders.• Moved capital to Tehran.• Retained Shiism as state
religion.– Reduced link between church
and state.– No link to 12 Imams.
• Age of European Imperialism– Oil rights in southwest sold to
British– Borrowed heavily from
European banks
Qajar Dynasty
Constitutional Revolution (1905-1909)
• Qajars: Fiscally irresponsible• Middle class merchants: – Led massive protests– Shah’s guard (COSSACK BRIGADE) threatened to
join protestors
Constitution of 1906
• Popular sovereignty• Separation of powers• Direct election of legislators• Created the MAJLES– National legislative assembly– Power to make laws– Influence over the budget
• Created the GUARDIAN COUNCIL– Clerics that could veto laws based on sharia.
End of Qajars
• Financial woes continue• Constitution weakened the Shah
World War I• Russia occupied Northern Iran• Britain occupied Southern Iran• Iranians controlled a small area in Central Iran
3. The Pahlavis (1925-1979) • Reza Khan Pahlavi
– Commander of Cossack Brigade• Drove out Soviets following WWI.
– Supported by British.• Reestablished authoritarian rule in
Iran– Majles=rubber stamp
• Modernization programs• Secularization of society
– No beards; no veils– No religious schools (created free state-
run schools)
Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979)
• 21-years old• Power struggle with
Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq– Majles gave Mossadeq
emergency powers• Placed British oil under
Iranian Control.• Sympathetic to U.S.S.R.
CIA in Iran (1951-53)
• CIA staged riots and protests– Mossadeq fled– Shah returned to power (1953)• Strong U.S. ally from 1953-1979.
“The Evolution of Revolution”
What are the causes of the Iranian Revolution?
Iranian Revolution (1979)• Ayatollah Khomeini
– Shiite clericReasons for Revolt
1. Progressivism v. Islamic Fundamentalism• Shah– pro-U.S.• Khomeini– Fundamentalist
Islam• White Revolution (1963)
• Anti-clericalism• Targeted Qom (center of
Islam)
2. Neglect Lower Class3. SAVAK: oppressive police
force.
IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, 1979-1981• January 1979: Shah flees Iran
• February 1979: Khomeini returns to Iran
• October 1979: Shah comes to U.S.
• November 4, 1979: Iranians storm U.S. embassy in Tehran.
• Take 52 Hostages.
• Demand Return of the Shah.
• July 1980: Shah dies.
April 1980: Operation Eagle Claw
• Failed rescue attempt• helicopters and
refueling plane collide.• 8 commandos killed.
End of Hostage Crisis
• January 1981: After 444 Days.
• Released the moment Reagan was sworn in as president.
4. The Islamic Republic (1979-Present)
• New Regime solidifies control.– Charisma of Khomeini– Iran Hostage Crisis• Iranians rallied around Khomeini and other hard-line
Muslims (not secularists and moderates)– Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988– Cultural Revolution
Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988
• Khomeini called for overthrow of Saddam.– Sunni: came to power in
1979.• Saddam attacked Iran.• ½ to 1 million Iranian
causalities.• Ended in stalemate.• U.S. indirectly supported
Iraq.
Significance• Regime consolidated
power through national unity.
• Suppression of opposition.
Cultural Revolution (1980-1983)
• Highlight examples of actions taken by the Iranian Government during the Cultural Revolution.
Cultural Revolution, 1980-1983
• Education System:– Primary agent of Islamic socialization.
• Purged universities of leftists and secularists.• Universities closed from 1980-1983.– Center of anti-regime activism– Reopened under the control of Islamic regime
• Curricula at all school levels emphasized:– Religious Studies -- Islamic Revolution– Islamic culture -- Anti-western
• Successful or unsuccessful?• Similarities with Chinese Cultural Revolution?
top related