The Islamic Revolution and modern day Iran

Who was the leader of the opposition to the Shah?

Ayatollah Khomeini

What had happened to Khomeini during the Shah’s govt?

Like many religious leaders, he was forced into exile

What did Khomeini do during the exile?

He wrote about the need for an Islamic Revolution which were smuggled into Iran

When were there huge strikes and demonstrations to remove the Shah?

1978

What happened when the Shah’s army killed the protesters?

The demonstrations got bigger

In Sep 1978, how many people did the troops kill in the demonstrations?

Over 500 people

When were there waves of strikes and demonstrations in Iran?

October 1978

By the end of 1978, what did many of the soldiers do?

They began to sympathise with the protestors and refused to open fire

When did the Shah leave Iran to get treatment for cancer?

January 1979

What did Khomeini do during his time in exile?

He tried to reinforce political Islam

Why did the last PM flee?

The army pledged their support to the referendum

What did the referendum do?

The large majority abolished the monarchy and established an Islamic Republic

Who also ran for power during the establishment of the Islamic state?

The Communist Party and Middle class liberals who wanted a Western style of democracy

Which party ended up dominating the Iranian Parliament?

The Islamic Republican Party who had key supporters

What title did Khomeini hold and what did he get to do with the role?

• He was Supreme leader of Iran

• He had the final say in government even though he was not PM or President

What new reforms passed during Khomeini?

• New laws based on the Koran was passed

• Education was purged of un-Islamic influences

• Women had to cover their heads in public

• Alcohol, western pop music and western films were banned

• There were also trials and executions for the Shah’s former supporters

What were Khomeini and his govt keen to do?

They were keen to spread the Islamic Revolution to what they saw as un-Islamic regimes and denounce their ties to the West

Who was seen as the main enemy in Iran?

The USA - The Great Satan

Why was there much hatred to the US?

The US let the former Shah into their country in November of 1979

What happened after the US allowed the Shah into their country?

Militant Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 50 of the workers as hostages

What did the US claim Iran was?

An International outlaw

Why did many see Khomeini as a good leader?

He stood up against to the West

Why was Iraq a good location for the expansion of political Islam?

• It was a secular state

• It had a large Shiite population who were excluded from top positions in govt

What did Khomeini accuse Saddam Hussein being? What else did he do?

• Corrupt and atheist

• He encouraged the rising of the people against the government