Iran Test

Nationalism

The belief that people with a shared ethnic, cultural, religious, or historical identity have the right to form their own nation.

Mandate System

The post-WWI system where Britain and France controlled former Ottoman lands like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, and Palestine.

Pan-Arabism

The idea that Arab peoples should unite because they share language, culture, and history.

Gamal Abdel Nasser

Egyptian leader strongly connected to Pan-Arabism and Arab nationalism who served as the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death in 1970. He promoted socialist policies and sought to modernize Egypt.

Nasserism

Nasser’s version of Arab nationalism, anti-colonialism, and state-led modernization that emphasizes Arab unity and socialism as fundamental principles.

Baathism / Baathist Movement

A secular Arab nationalist movement that promoted Arab unity and socialism; important in Syria and Iraq and emerged in the mid-20th century, advocating for the establishment of a unified Arab state.

Islamism

The belief that Islamic principles should shape government and society , promoting a political system based on Islamic law (Sharia) and often seeking to establish a society reflective of Islamic values.

Islamic Fundamentalism

A movement calling for society to return to strict Islamic values and law based on a literal interpretation of the Quran and Hadith, often resisting modern secular influences.

Wahhabism

A strict conservative form of Sunni Islam, especially associated with Saudi Arabia that advocates for a return to the original teachings of Islam as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

Muslim Brotherhood

An Islamist organization founded in Egypt that wanted society and government to follow Islamic principles and offers social services, promotes political reform, and has influenced several other Islamist movements.

Al-Qaeda

Radical Islamist terrorist organization; listed as part of the chapter’s broader Islamism/fundamentalism terms that seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate through violent jihad and acts of terrorism.

Persia → Iran

Persia officially became known as Iran in 1935, marking a significant change in the country's name and identity.

Reza Shah

Iranian ruler who modernized and westernized Iran but ruled in an authoritarian way and left a legacy of oppression and resistance.

Mohammad Reza Shah

Reza Shah’s son; continued modernization and Western ties, but faced opposition for repression and inequality during his reign, which led to widespread unrest and ultimately the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Anglo-Iranian Oil Company

British-controlled oil company that became a major source of conflict in Iran during the first half of the 20th century, particularly due to issues of nationalization and exploitation of Iranian resources.

Mohammad Mosaddeq

Iranian prime minister who tried to nationalize Iran’s oil industry but was overthrown in a coup supported by the U.S. and Britain in 1953, leading to the restoration of the Shah's power.

Nationalization

Government takeover of an industry or resource, such as Iran taking control of its oil industry, to assert sovereignty and ensure that profits benefit the nation.

1953 Coup

Overthrow of Mosaddeq, supported by Western powers, which strengthened the shah’s rule and reinstated the monarchy's authority in Iran.

SAVAK

The shah’s secret police, used to monitor, intimidate, and repress opponents of the Iranian regime, employing widespread surveillance and torture tactics to maintain control over dissent.

White Revolution

Mohammad Reza Shah’s reform program meant to modernize Iran, but it angered many traditional and religious groups and ultimately contributed to rising discontent that led to this revolution.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Religious leader who criticized the shah and became the central figure of the Iranian Revolution, advocating for the establishment of an Islamic republic in Iran.

Black Friday

A major protest and massacre in Iran that increased opposition to the shah and heightened tensions leading to the Iranian Revolution.

Iranian Revolution

Revolution that overthrew the shah and created an Islamic Republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979, resulting in significant political and social change.

Sharia Law

Islamic law based on religious teachings and derived from the Quran and Hadith, guiding personal conduct and legal matters in Islamic societies.

Islamic Republic

A government system based on Islamic law and religious authority that governs a nation following Islamic principles, where religious leaders hold significant power and influence.

Supreme Leader

The highest religious and political authority in Iran after the revolution , responsible for overseeing the entire government and ensuring compliance with Islamic law.

Iran-Iraq War

War from 1980–1988 between Iran and Iraq; caused by border disputes, fear of revolution spreading, and Saddam’s ambitions for regional dominance.

Shatt al-Arab

Important river/border area disputed by Iran and Iraq; key cause of the Iran-Iraq War and vital for oil exports.

Iraq Ba’ath Party

Secular Arab nationalist party that controlled Iraq under Saddam Hussein from 1968 until the 2003 invasion, promoting a strong nationalist agenda and influencing the region's politics.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi dictator who led Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and invaded Kuwait in 1990, leading to the Gulf War. His regime was characterized by authoritarianism and severe human rights abuses.

Chemical Weapons

Weapons used by Iraq against Iranian troops and Iraqi Kurds during the Iran-Iraq War, causing widespread casualties and long-term health issues.

Human Wave Tactics

Iranian strategy of sending large numbers of soldiers forward, often with heavy losses to overwhelm enemy positions and disrupt defenses during the Iran-Iraq War.

Persian Gulf War

War from 1990–1991 after Iraq invaded Kuwait and was subsequently opposed by a coalition of forces led by the United States, resulting in Iraq's withdrawal and significant military consequences.

Kuwait

Small oil-rich country invaded by Iraq in 1990, leading to the Gulf War and international military intervention.

OPEC

Organization of oil-producing countries; important because oil prices and production affected Iraq’s economy and international relations during the Gulf War. This regulates oil production to stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply.

George H. W. Bush

U.S. president during the Persian Gulf War who played a key role in building the coalition against Iraq and leading military operations to liberate Kuwait.

Operation Desert Storm

U.S.-led military operation that forced Iraq out of Kuwait during the Gulf War, commencing in January 1991.

Coalition

Group of countries led by the United States that fought Iraq in the Gulf War to liberate Kuwait and restore its sovereignty.

Refugees

People forced to flee because of war or persecution; many Iraqis and Kuwaitis fled during and after the Gulf War to escape violence and instability.

Oil Wells in Kuwait

Iraqi forces set hundreds of oil wells on fire while retreating, causing environmental damage and significant ecological impact in the region.

UN Sanctions

Penalties placed on Iraq after the war, cutting it off from trade and financial support to pressure for compliance with international resolutions.

Weapons of Mass Destruction / WMDs

Chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons; Iraq’s possible possession of these became a major postwar issue and concern for international security, leading to increased inspections and tensions.

Kurds and Shiites Revolt

Groups in Iraq rebelled against Saddam after the Gulf War but were crushed when outside help did not arrive and resulted in severe reprisals against civilians and significant instability in the region.

Regional Stability

A major theme: these wars weakened Iraq and Iran, damaged Kuwait, created refugee crises, and increased U.S. involvement in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions in the area.