modern iran (1951-today)

The Geography of The Geography of IranIran

The Geography of The Geography of IranIran

Iranian Oil Iranian Oil ResourcesResourcesIranian Oil Iranian Oil ResourcesResources

Shah Reza Pahlavi

• After WWII, Iran’s leader (1941-1951)

• Believes in embracing Western government and Western oil industries

• Remember: pro-Western

Dr. Mohammad Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh,Mossadegh,

Prime Minister of IranPrime Minister of Iran

Dr. Mohammad Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh,Mossadegh,

Prime Minister of IranPrime Minister of IranBecame Prime Minister in 1951.

Nationalized the foreign oil companies.

Was toppled in a coup aided by the America CIA in 1953.

The Shah of Iran returns to power.

Q4

Shah Reza PahlaviShah Reza Pahlavi(r. 1941 – 1977)(r. 1941 – 1977)

Shah Reza PahlaviShah Reza Pahlavi(r. 1941 – 1977)(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

SAVAK

• The Shah’s secret police

• Had extensive help from American CIA

• In operation from 1957-1979

• Tortured and executed political prisoners

• “Most hated and feared institition”

The Shah The Shah & His Wife, Farah& His Wife, Farah

The Shah The Shah & His Wife, Farah& His Wife, Farah

Iranian elite/upper- and intellectual classes: verypro-Western.

““The White The White Revolution”Revolution”

The Shah’s Reform Program The Shah’s Reform Program (1963)(1963)

““The White The White Revolution”Revolution”

The Shah’s Reform Program The Shah’s Reform Program (1963)(1963)1. Land reform – 90% of Iran’s peasants

became land owners.2. Massive government-financed heavy

industry projects.3. Granted women more political power –

the right to vote.4. Poured government money into

education – especially in rural areas where illiteracy was very high.

5. Nationalization of forests and pasture lands.

Reasons for the Reasons for the Fall of the ShahFall of the ShahReasons for the Reasons for the Fall of the ShahFall 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.

Anti-Shah Anti-Shah ProtestsProtests

Anti-Shah Anti-Shah ProtestsProtests

The Shah’s ChiefThe Shah’s ChiefOpponents?Opponents?

The Shah’s ChiefThe Shah’s ChiefOpponents?Opponents?

1. Oil field workers.

2. Students and other intellectuals.

3. Middle class businessmen.

4. Iranian nationalists.

5. Muslim clerics.Q6

Anti-American PinAnti-American Pin(1960s)(1960s)

Anti-American PinAnti-American Pin(1960s)(1960s)

Iranian Students Iranian Students Protest in Beverley Protest in Beverley

HillsHills

Iranian Students Iranian Students Protest in Beverley Protest in Beverley

HillsHills

Anarchy & Anarchy & RevolutionRevolutionAnarchy & Anarchy & RevolutionRevolution

The Shah leaves Iran on 1/16/79.

The Shah leaves Iran on 1/16/79.

Ayatollah Ayatollah KhomeiniKhomeiniLeads the Leads the RevolutionRevolution

Ayatollah Ayatollah KhomeiniKhomeiniLeads the Leads the RevolutionRevolution

Khomeini returns to Iran on February 11,

1979. Q7

Ayatollah

• A religious leader in Iran

• Supreme leader

• Highest ranking official and religious authority in Iran

Ayatollah Ayatollah KhomeiniKhomeini

(r. 1979-1989)(r. 1979-1989)

Ayatollah Ayatollah KhomeiniKhomeini

(r. 1979-1989)(r. 1979-1989)Became an Islamic scholar

Began to speak out against the Shah in the 1960s.

Arrested and imprisoned several times by the Shah.

Deported in 1978 & went to France.

Hated the US. Wanted all Muslims to overthrow secular governments

Triumphant Muslim Triumphant Muslim Clerics & Iranian Clerics & Iranian

SoldiersSoldiers

Triumphant Muslim Triumphant Muslim Clerics & Iranian Clerics & Iranian

SoldiersSoldiers

Q8A theocracy is

created!

Theocracy

• “the rule of God”

• A government ruled by or subject to religious authority

SAVAK Suspects SAVAK Suspects TakenTaken

SAVAK Suspects SAVAK Suspects TakenTaken

The Fate of the The Fate of the Shah’s GeneralsShah’s GeneralsThe Fate of the The Fate of the Shah’s GeneralsShah’s Generals

Charged With:Corruption on Earth

American Embassy American Embassy inin

Tehran Taken OverTehran Taken Over

American Embassy American Embassy inin

Tehran Taken OverTehran Taken Over

Q9

52 Americans Held 52 Americans Held Hostage for 444 Hostage for 444

Days!Days!

52 Americans Held 52 Americans Held Hostage for 444 Hostage for 444

Days!Days!

Hostage Crisis

• Seizure of the US embassy in Tehran by students unhappy with the US for admitting the Shah for medical treatment

• 1979

• Failed rescue attempt in 1980

• Finally freed after Reagan becomes President

52 American 52 American HostagesHostages

Released in Jan., Released in Jan., 19811981

52 American 52 American HostagesHostages

Released in Jan., Released in Jan., 19811981

The Iran-Iraq WarThe Iran-Iraq War(1980-1988)(1980-1988)

The Iran-Iraq WarThe Iran-Iraq War(1980-1988)(1980-1988)

Q10

The Iran-Iraq War:The Iran-Iraq War:Taking SidesTaking Sides

The Iran-Iraq War:The Iran-Iraq War:Taking SidesTaking Sides

Iraqi Soldiers Iraqi Soldiers At the FrontAt the Front

Iraqi Soldiers Iraqi Soldiers At the FrontAt the Front

375,000 Iraqi casualties & 60,000 POWs!

Iranian SoldiersIranian SoldiersIranian SoldiersIranian Soldiers

Q11

Over 1,000,000 Iranian casualties!

War

• Iraq invades Iran in 1980

• Border disputes, political disputes

• Khomeini called for the overthrow of Hussein

• US secretly gives aid to both sides (afraid of a Communist takeover in Iran)

Khomeini’s Khomeini’s DeathDeath

(June, 1989)(June, 1989)

Khomeini’s Khomeini’s DeathDeath

(June, 1989)(June, 1989)

Iranian Supreme Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Leader Ayatollah

Ali KhameneiAli Khamenei

Iranian Supreme Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Leader Ayatollah

Ali KhameneiAli Khamenei

Ayatollah Ayatollah KhatamiKhatamiAyatollah Ayatollah KhatamiKhatami

The Ayatollah is considered a political moderate.

Q12

Another Nuclear Another Nuclear Power?Power?

Another Nuclear Another Nuclear Power?Power?

US satellite photo of Iranian nuclear facility

near Arak.

An American view An American view of Iranian nuclear of Iranian nuclear

powerpower

An American view An American view of Iranian nuclear of Iranian nuclear

powerpower

PINOCCHIAYATOLLAH Scott Stantis (Birmingham News)

1/28/05

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

• Current leader of Iran (2005-present)

• Photos suggest he was a hostage taker… Iran denies this

• Outspoken critic of the US, Britain, and Israel

• Nuclear program for peaceful purposes?