History of Iran

The Geography of The Geography of IranIran

The Geography of The Geography of IranIran

Qajar Dynasty,1779-1925

• Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar tribe• Monarchs lacked political or religious

prestige• Power of clergy (religious officials)

increased

External Influence• Britain and Russia compete to expand

their empires into Iran• Treaties between the three countries give

Britain and Russia a lot of economic & trading privileges as well as territory in Iran

The Constitutional Revolution, 1906-1911

• Protestors want political change• Shah creates parliament (Majlis) & constitution

– People are citizens and have voice in gov’t

• Even with constitution, Iran is weakened by control of Britain and Russia

Bakhtiari Revolutionaries in camp outside Esfahan (June 1909)In front, in a white coat with a sword, is Mohammad Ebrahim Khan, Zabet of Julfa.

Source: www.iranchamber.com

Iran & WWI, 1914-1918

• Iran neutral

• Effects– Economy decreases– Parts of Iran taken by Allied powers– Russia withdrew from Iran after their revolution

Pahlavi Dynasty,1925-1941

• 1921 – Reza Khan led forces into Tehran, Iran – Wanted shah to elect Prime Minister

• 1923 – Reza Khan chosen as new Prime Minister

• 1925 – Majlis appoints Reza Khan the shah (ends Qajar Dynasty)

Iran in WWII

• British, U.S., & Soviet troops occupied Iran

• 1941 – Shah Reza Khan abdicates– Gives power to son Mohammad Reza

• Effects– Hurts Iran’s economy– Weakens Iran’s gov’t– Famine

Iran & Oil

• Iran’s oil production controlled by Britain’s Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)

• Protests begin against foreign control of oil

• Anger over the Supplemental Oil Agreement and the shah’s use of bribery/fraud cause uproar

• Politician Mohammad Mossadegh leads protest for new fair elections of Majlis

• 1951 – Mossadegh forms National Front, is elected PM, & nationalizes the AIOC

Problems with West Begin• Britain leads boycott of Iran & increases military

forces• British officials expelled from Iran• U.S. and Britain successfully sponsor a coup

(overthrow) of Mossadegh in 1953

What about Mohammed Reza Shah?

• “Dictatorship” from 1953-1960

• Reza Shah Pahlavi is supported by U.S. and Britain (due to oil) & is Pro-West– The people of Iran do not necessarily agree

• Disbands National Front & imprisons its members

• Forms SAVAK, a secret police to hunt down opponents

– Mistreatment, torture, execution

– Limits public expression and ideas

• People are oppressed and in poverty

The White Revolution, 1963• Shah’s reform program to reduce dissatisfaction

and unrest1)Redistribute land2)Women given more rights3)Privatization of industries4)Increase literacy (Literacy Corps)

Shah distributing land deeds

Ayatollah Khomeini• Ayatollah = cleric, Islamic scholar• 1963 – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

criticizes the Shah’s reforms and gov’t– Ayatollah Khomeini is against

Western influences in Iran– Saw Shah’s rule as hurting Islam

• Shah orders Khomeini to be exiled– Protests break out, thousands killed

Problems in Iran• Economy worsens• Human rights violations• Demonstrations against the shah continue

in 1978– Hundreds of protestors killed

Anarchy & Anarchy & RevolutionRevolutionAnarchy & Anarchy & RevolutionRevolution

The Shah flees Iran on 1/16/79.The Shah flees 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.

Islamic Republic of Islamic Republic of Iran Iran

Islamic Republic of Islamic Republic of Iran Iran • New Constitution created

• Ayatollah Khomeini as Supreme Islamic Jurist (Supreme Leader)• Had religious & political

control - THEOCRACY

American Embassy inAmerican Embassy inTehran Taken Over, Americans Tehran Taken Over, Americans

taken hostagetaken hostage

American Embassy inAmerican Embassy inTehran Taken Over, Americans Tehran Taken Over, Americans

taken hostagetaken hostage

Iranian students worry that U.S. will stage another coup.

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

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

Released in Jan., 1981 (Reagan Released in Jan., 1981 (Reagan took the U.S. Presidency)took the U.S. Presidency)

Released in Jan., 1981 (Reagan Released in Jan., 1981 (Reagan took the U.S. Presidency)took the U.S. Presidency)

The Khomeini The Khomeini RevolutionRevolution

The Khomeini The Khomeini RevolutionRevolution

Support for the Support for the Palestinian CausePalestinian CauseSupport for the Support for the

Palestinian CausePalestinian Cause

The Ayatollah with

Yasir Arafat of the PLO.

Funds Hamas and Hezbollah.

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

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

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein feared that Iran’s new leadership

would conflict with the Sunni/Shi’a balance in Iraq (Iraq is mainly

Shi’ite).

Also wanted oil resources in Iran.

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

Over 1,000,000 Iranian casualties!

Khomeini’s Death, June 1989

He is succeeded by Ayatollah Ali Khameni as Supreme Leader.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad• President of Iran, 2005 – present

– Succeeded Ayatollah Khatami

• Conservative• Supports Iran’s uranium enrichment

program – Peaceful or for nuclear weapons?

• Not in favor of Israel’s statehood• Not a friend of the West• Economic problems,

human rights issues

Another Nuclear Another Nuclear Power?Power?

Another Nuclear Another Nuclear Power?Power?

US satellite photo of Iranian nuclear facility

near Arak.

Source: Susan M. Pojer

Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Source: Susan M. Pojer

Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Choices http://www.choices.edu/resources/activities/timeline_iran/timeline.html

BibliographyBibliographyBibliographyBibliography

“23 Year Pictorial History of Iran.” http://home.att.net/~iranshahr/

“Iranian.com.” www.iranian.com/Revolution/war.html.

“Iran Hostage Anniversary.” CBS News. www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/01/18/ iran/main265244.shtml.