Iran Geography and History

Unitary State

A form of government where power is concentrated in a central authority, with regional or local governments subordinate to it. In a unitary state, the central government holds the primary authority and any administrative divisions derive their powers from it.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests or religious leaders control the state, and religious law is used as the basis for governance.

Parliamentary System with a president

A government system where a president exists alongside a parliamentary body, balancing executive and legislative powers.

Iran is not an Arab country, but it’s…

Persian

Most of the world’s Muslims are Sunnis, but in Iran they are…

Shia Muslims.

Where is Iran located?

Located in the Middle East, shares borders with former Soviet States.

How many people reside in Iran?

About 88 Million people

What is the median age in Iran?

30 years old

How do young people pose a threat to Iran’s regime

The state can’t support the demand on education/employment/housing. Youth have backed more progressive candidates.

1905-6

Constitutional revolution seeks to limit power of the monarchy

1921

Reza Khan seizes power

1925

Reza Khan is proclaimed Shah and changes his name to Shah Pahlavi

Shah

Pahlavi, establishing the Pahlavi dynasty.

1941

British and Soviet forces occupy Iran; the shah is forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Abdicate

To formally renounce or give up a throne or position of power.

1951

Parliament votes to nationalize the oil industry

1953

Struggle between the shah and PM Mohammad Mosaddeq culminates in Operation Ajax, in which Mosaddeq is overthrown with U.S. help.

Operation Ajax

A covert CIA operation in 1953 that orchestrated the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, restoring the shah to power.

1963

White Revolution begins

1979

Iranian Revolution takes place: the shah is deposed; Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns form exile; U.S. embassy is seized and hostages are held for 444 days

1980

Iraq invades Iran, starting the Iran-Iraq War.

1988

Iran-Iraq War officially ends with a ceasefire agreement.

1989

Ayatollah Khomeini dies; Ayatollah Khamenei is elected supreme leader

1997

Mohammad Khatami is elected president, marking a reformist movement.

1999

Student protests occur, demanding political reform and freedom.

2002

Russia begins work on Iran’s first nuclear reactor, at Bushehr

2005

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is elected president, leading to a conservative shift in Iranian politics.

Safavid

dynasty that ruled Persia from 1501 to 1736, known for establishing Twelver Shiism as the state religion.

Qajar

dynasty that gave Muslim clergy. the ulema (first to outline basic principles of Islamic law - legal doctrine known as the fiqh), political power

WWI - II

Discovery of oil in the middle east and European hostilities led to increased foreign interest and intervention in Iran.

In 1951, PM Mohammad Mosaddeq leads to

nationalization of oil industry, end of democracy, and the birth of Iranian Oil Company

What was the cause of nationalization

Economic sanctions

What was the nationalization of oil seen as?

A communist move and there was an effort to oust Mosaddeq from office

In 1953 who was overthrown?

Mosaddeq overthrown with the help of the US

What was the White Revolution

growing economy and opening up of society, as well as improving education and infrastructure. → Many Iranians not having economic success from the WR, not enough jobs as education grew.

Shah is opposed by Ayatollah Khomeini (Shia Cleric) for what reason

The Ayatollah didn’t want more rights for women, criticized rigging of elections and neglect of poor. Thought Shah’s power was anti-Islamic

Shah was dictoral and was known for?

got rid of 2 part systems and was known for cruel punishments

1978: Demonstrations

In the street, upset with the Shah

• Lots of criticism of the west (against “Americanism”), economic inequality, and corrupt regime

• Security forces arrest and also kill civilians (“Black Friday” - 100 protestors killed in Sept. 8th)

• Ayatollah Khomeini exiled - goes to Iraq and then then settles in France

• Civilians protest, demanding removal of the Shah and return of Ayatollah Khomeini

!979: Iranian Revolution

Shah is overthrown. Jan 16, 1979, Shah and family leave for Egypt and later the US

Shia leaders launch a cultural revolution;

• Aim to purify the country from the Shah’s regime, secular values, and western influence

• Purged universities of liberals

• Suppressed all opposition

President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005)

• Reformist, cleric, and surprise winner

• Easier to organize political groups

• Less censorship of press

• Tried to improve relations with US and                                           other Western countries

• Reformist Khatami was left isolated by                               conservative resurgence

• Hard line conservatives disqualified                                           moderates from 2004 parliamentary elections

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013)

• Tehran's ultra-conservative mayor

• Won a run-off vote in presidential elections in 2005                                    

• First non-cleric president                                                                                  in 24 years

• 2009 Pres. election, push for reformist candidate Mousavi

  • Protests, saying election fraud, as large election turnout, Ayatollah holds an investigation

What happens to those who tried to reform

• Council of Guardians rejected candidacies of popular reformers

• Several major reformist newspapers closed

• Journalists and civil society activists arrested

• Jailed internet users who spread information “aimed at disturbing the public mind”

• Morality police and vigilantes to enforce Islamic dress codes & prevent public mingling of men and women

• Increasing reports of arrest, torture, and executions

• Sharia more strictly enforced

• Called for destruction of Israel

• Questioned reality of Holocaust

• Increased nuclear fuel research