Iran and the Arab Spring

Key vocabulary terms related to Iran's political history, the Islamic Revolution, and the Arab Spring.

Islamic Revolution

The 1979 overthrow of the Shah of Iran and establishment of a Shiite theocracy.

Persian Empire

An ancient empire founded by Cyrus the Great that represents the cultural heritage of Iran.

Farsi

The Persian language, written in Arabic script, which can create the misconception that it is Arabic.

Shah

The former monarch of Iran before the 1979 revolution, known for his autocratic rule and repressive policies.

Ayatollah Khomeini

The leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran who became the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Sunni and Shia

The two main sects of Islam, with Shia Muslims predominantly in Iran.

Arab Spring

A series of pro-democracy protests in Arab countries from 2010 to 2011, leading to regime changes in some countries.

Hezbollah

A Shiite militant group based in Lebanon, historically funded and supported by Iran.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests or religious leaders hold political power, as established in Iran after the revolution.

Nation of Islam

An African American religious movement that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, known for figures like Malcolm X.

Cyrus the Great

The founder of the Persian Empire who allowed Jews to return to Israel from Babylonian captivity.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

An elite military force in Iran tasked with protecting the Islamic regime and fostering relationships with militant groups.

Masa Amini

A young Iranian woman whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests in Iran in 2022.