Iran Case Study Cain Duarte

7/29/2019 Iran Case Study Cain Duarte

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A Case Study

Focusing on the

1979 Revolution

Prepared by Rolando Duarte and Chris Cain

Iran:


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Colonial Legacy

Although the nation of Iran, with its Persian roots,

was not a western colonial creation and remained,

in name, independent during the colonial era, it

still was greatly influenced by the colonial powers

in the area who intervened to protect their political

and economic interests.

The U.S. restoration of the Pahlavi family topower in 1953, for example, can be seen as an

example of a reassertion of colonialism.


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The Revolution

Began as a

popular

democracymovement

Ended with the

establishment ofthe world's first

Islamic state


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The ShahShah Reza Pahlavi anda circle of his relatives

and friends ruled Iran.

Gap between rich andpoor increased in 1970s

Dissent arose in

response to economicproblems and to Shahs

autocratic style


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Opposition to the Shah

Ayatollah RuhollahKhomeinishia cleric inexile in Paris

Long the bravest and mostoutspoken oppositionvoice to the Shah

The Ayatollah promised

economic reform and areturn to traditionalreligious values

Appealed to many in Iran


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Unrest

In the late 1970s,

numerous large and

violent protestsoccurred

General strikes

added to theinstability


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The Departure of the Shah

January 1979-Shah

leaves Tehran for an

extended vacation,

never to return.

Khomeini supporters

tear down his statues

throughout Iran


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The Shahs Regent

Prime MinisterShahpur Bakhtiarappointed by shah to

run the countryBakhtiar tries to resistgrowing oppositionand refuses to allow

Ayatollah Khomeinito form a newgovernment


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Khomeini Returns From Exile

Ayatollah Khomeini

returns on Feb. 1,

1979

Instability increases

Street battles break out

between Khomeini

demonstrators, police,security forces, and

the Shahs supporters


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The Revolution

Feb. 11, 1979, tanksmove through Tehran

Rumors of a military

coup flew, but army didnot make its move.

Revolutionaries brokeinto the leading radio

station of Tehran andbroadcast This is thevoice of the revolutionof the Iranian people!


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Revolutionary Era Begins

Bakhtiar resigns.

Ayatollah Khomeiniwins national

referendum by alandslide

Khomeini declares Iranan Islamic republic

Khomeini appointedIrans political andreligious leader for life


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Conclusion: Islam and Nationalism

The Iranian Revolution provides anexcellent example of the tensions betweensecular nationalism and the ideals ofpolitical Islam.

The Shah had numerous opponents: clerics,democracy activists, the poor, andtraditionalists who resented his secularreforms.

The Shahs close ties with and support bythe U.S. allowed the clerics to articulateopposition to him as an anticolonial jihad.


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SourcesBeeman, Willliam O. The Revolution of 1979, pp. 232-236 in The

Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.

BBC News. The Iranian Revolution in Pictures. Retrieved from

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/04/middle_east_the_iran

ian_revolution/html/1.stm on May 8, 2006. (Slides 3-11 are based on

this source).

Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook: Iran. Retrieved from

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html on May 8, 2006.

(Map on slide 1)

Nasr, S. V. R. European Colonialism and the Emergence of Modern

Muslim States. 549-599 in Oxford History of Islam, J. Esposito (ed.).

Rischer, Michael M.J. Iran: From Religious Dispute to revolution.Bazargan, Mehsi. Religion and Liberty in Kurzman, ed. Liberal Islam,

73-84.

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Iran Case Study Cain Duarte