WH Iran

Autocratic Modernization

The use of authoritarianism to force “modernization.” Done by Ataturk, Reza Khan, and Reza Shah

Operation Ajax

A CIA and MI6 coup to restore Reza Shah to power after Mohammed Mossadegh nationalizes AIOC. CIA agents bribed the media to attack Mossadegh and paid protestors to support Reza Shah. Gave Reza Shah complete power. Mossadegh was put under house arrest.

Mohammed Mossadegh

Popular prime minister of Iran. Nationalized AIOC, but was ousted during Operation Ajax. Died under house arrest. Leader of the National Front party.

AIOC/British Petroleum

British company that extracted Iran’s oil. Gave a 16% royalty to Iran until Reza Khan renegotiated it up to 20%. Nationalized by Mossadegh.

1953 Coup

Same as Operation Ajax.

6 Points of the White Revolution

1. Land was bought from landlords and sold below market values to the poor, many of whom had previously been sharecroppers.

2. Forests and pastures were nationalized.

3. Government-owned businesses were nationalized.

4. 20% profit sharing for private-sector employees.

5. Women’s suffrage.

6. Creation of the Literacy Corps.

Majlis

Iranian parliament.

Tudeh Party

The Tudeh Party was the Iranian Communist party. Banned under MR Shah and Khomeini. Allied with Mossadegh and used as justification for Operation Ajax (US and UK feared Tudeh might seize power).

Opposition to the Shah 

( who/why)

Many poor and/or rural Iranians felt the Shah was not helping them. Religious Iranians also felt he was not supporting Islam.

Mohammad Reza Shah

US- and UK-backed Shah. Gained significant power after the 1953 coup.

SAVAK

Iranian secret police under MR Shah. Had around 5k members. Arrested and tortured dissidents. Some members were absorbed into SAVAMA after the 1979 revolution.

Rentier State

A government that gets a majority of its revenue from rent paid by foreign people or organizations. Iran is an example, as it gained most of its government revenues from oil and thus was not fiscally responsible to its people.

Pre-79 Relationship with Israel

Supportive. Israel bought large quantities of Iranian oil and Iranian oil was often sent through Israeli channels. Israel sent military aid to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War.

Pre-79 Relationship with US

Positive. The US led Operation Ajax and Iran was a large tourist destination for Americans.

Westoxication

Called “Gharbzadegi” in Farsi. The concept that Iran is intoxicated with the West and is blind to the dangers of Westernization.

Rastakhiz

The only legal political party in Iran from 1975-8, under MR Shah.

1976 New Calendar

MR Shah changed the first day of the year to the birthday of Cyrus the Great from the Hejra of Muhammed.

Brain Drain

Educated professionals leaving Iran before and after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Bazaaris

Merchant class in Iran. Helped support the 1979 revolution.

Ayatollah Khomeini

Supreme Leader of Iran post-1979. Exiled after calling MR Shah a “wretched man.”

Khodkafa’i

“Self sufficiency”

Used to justify reducing foreign trade.

Reasons for the failure of the White Revolution

• Peasantry didn’t receive enough land to sustain themselves

• Mismanagement and inefficiency

• Reduction of services provided by landlords (ex: seeds, equipment)

• Dissatisfaction by the clergy

Iran-Iraq War

• 1980-8

• AKA First Gulf War

• Started by Iraq to seize land and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideology from Iran

• Ended in status quo brokered by the UN

• Called “Defense of Islam” by Khomeini

• 1M dead

Women and gender issues under Pahlavi Dynasty

Women’s suffrage, banned Hijab, Family Protection Law

Women and gender issues under Khomeini

Mandatory Hijab, barriers to divorce and custody, restricted from working in certain fields

1967 Family Protection Law

Law instituted by MR Shah:

• Allows divorces

• Women get custody of kids in divorces

• More education for women

• Limits polygamy

1971 Party

Celebrated 2,500 year anniversary of Persian Empire. No reference of Islam. Very expensive.

Cause of Khomeini’s Initial Arrest

Criticizing an Iranian law granting diplomatic immunity to US soldiers.

Islamic Government

Book by Khomeini calling for “Guardianship of the Jurist” or rule by Islamic religious scholars.

Universities under Khomeini

Closed. “Un-Islamic” professors and students removed. Justified as necessary to protect the revolution.

1949 Assassination Attempt

Failed assassination attempt on MR Shah. Assassin was said to be a Tudeh Party member (likely untrue) and the party was banned.

National Front

Mossadegh’s party. United many diverse groups. Banned and members arrested after Operation Ajax.

MR Shah’s Actions against Baha’i

Persecuted members of the Baha’i faith in 1950s (stopped doing so later on):

• Allowed Baha’i temple in Iran to be burned in 1955

• Instituted law banning Baha’i people from gathering

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Achaemenid/Persian Empire. Used by MR Shah to bolster non-Islamic identity.

“Iran and Red and Black Colonization”

1978 article attacking Khomeini as a British spy, leading to protests.

Teymur Bakhtiar

First leader of SAVAK, assassinated by SAVAK after contacting dissidents after being dismissed from SAVAK.

Mostafa Khomeini

Son of Ayatollah Khomeini. Killed by SAVAK

Islamic Republic Party

Party created by Khomeini after the 1979 revolution

How did the position of Supreme Leader get added?

The constitution was rewritten by Khomeini’s supporters in the legislature

How was the new 1979 constitution approved?

By national referendum

Imam

Title used for 12 early leaders and Khomeini. Used differently in Sunni Islam.

Bonyads

Trusts in Iran controlled by the clergy, owning a significant portion of economic activity

Organizations Created in the White Revolution

Literacy Corps, Health Corps

Social Insurance Organization

Agency under MR Shah that provided retirement and unemployment benefits. Focused on urban areas

Welfare in 1979 Constitution

Health, unemployment, and retirement benefits.

Free schools through secondary school.

Distribution of Welfare under MR Shah

Unequal, with more going to urban areas

Distribution of Welfare under Khomeini

More equal than under MR Shah

Ahmad Shamlou

Poet censored under MR Shah

When were movies banned?

1979-82

Brain Drain after Revolution

1 in 3 doctors left Iran

Salman Rushdie

Target of fatwa by Khomeini that demanded Rushdie’s death over The Satanic Verses