The Iranian Revolution 1978-9
When Jimmy Carter became POTUS in 1977, he wanted to emphasise the importance of human rights in American foreign policy. Despite this, he continued to support Shah of Iran. The 1979 Iranian Revolution started as a popular pro-democracy movement against the autocratic government of the shah. However, it resulted in the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic republic. In February the shah or Iran - Mohammed Reza Pahlavi - was overthrown and replaced by the Ayatollah Khomeini, bringing a fundamentalist Islamic regime to power. Pahlavi had been a key US ally in the Middle East, but the hostility of the new regime towards the USA was soon demonstrated. On 4 November 1979, the American embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran was seized by a radical group. Sixty eight Americans were taken hostage, and held for over a year before being released. An unsuccessful US attempt to launch a rescue mission was one of the factors that resulted in a loss of support for Carter. In the presidential election of 1980, Carter was conclusively defeated by the Republican candidate, Ronal Reagan. As US president, Reagan adopted a more uncompromising attitude towards the USSR.
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Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919-80) Pahlavi, the shah of Iran, ruled from 1941 until he was forced into exile in 1979. His modernisation policies and his support for a secular state provoked opposition from Islamic clerics. Pahlavi's regime was known for its brutal suppression of opposition by a ruthless secret police, the SAVAK. After his departure, the monarchy was abolished. |
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Ayatollah Khomeini (1900-89) Khomeini was an Iranian Shi'ite Muslim cleric. He was exiled from Iran in 1964 because of his opposition to the shah's secular and modernisation policies. He returned to Iran in 1979 and transformed the country into an Islamic republic. Khomeini was appointed Iran's political and religious leader for life. His rule was marked by the suppression of opposition within Iran, and a ten-year war against Iraq. |
Tasks:
Using the YouTube commentary, make notes on the Iranian Revolution. Following this, complete the tasks in the document 'Key effects of Iranian Revolution worksheet.'
(https://youtu.be/-JlKY4cq38A)