Difference between revisions of "1979 Islamic Revolution"
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| − | The '''Iranian Revolution''' | + | The '''1970 Iranian Revolution''' saw the violent overthrow of the [[Shah]] of [[Iran]], [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] (1919-1980), and the replacement of his pro-[[Western]] government by a radical [[Islamic]] regime, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, profoundly reactionary and anti-Western in nature, and led by the [[Ayatollah]] [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] (1902-1989). The success of the Iranian Revolution had profound ramifications for the world. The threat of the closure of the [[Strait of Hormuz]], which at the time 42% of the world's [[crude oil]] supplies flowed throw, created [[energy]] shocks throughout the [[planet]]. It has encouraged and supported the violent expression of Islamic radicalism through [[terrorism]] across the globe, and has brutalized and oppressed its own people. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | *[[Desecularization]] | ||
*[[1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners in Iran]] | *[[1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners in Iran]] | ||
*[[2026 Iran massacres]] | *[[2026 Iran massacres]] | ||
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==References == | ==References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Iran]] | [[Category:Iran]] | ||
Revision as of 23:51, March 13, 2026
The 1970 Iranian Revolution saw the violent overthrow of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919-1980), and the replacement of his pro-Western government by a radical Islamic regime, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, profoundly reactionary and anti-Western in nature, and led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1902-1989). The success of the Iranian Revolution had profound ramifications for the world. The threat of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which at the time 42% of the world's crude oil supplies flowed throw, created energy shocks throughout the planet. It has encouraged and supported the violent expression of Islamic radicalism through terrorism across the globe, and has brutalized and oppressed its own people.
History
The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who lived in exile in France, called for riots against the Shah. He promised press freedom and the equality of women after the government would be overthrown. Islamist students in Iran used violence against the military and the Shah's secret police, the SAVAK. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi escaped on January 16, 1979 and went into exile. Khomeini returned to Iran and employed Mehdi Bazargan as his prime minister. In March 1979 the Iranians voted on a "referendum" for an Islamic republic. The people could only decide between monarchy and Islamic republic. Khomeini called democracy "western" and banned opposition parties. Female government workers were required wear a hijab.[1] Some women who were not covered were beaten in the streets.
The Shah, who was accused of looting the country, sought medical treatment for terminal cancer in America. Members of the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line demanded his extradition to stand trial for theft of state assets and crimes of torture committed in the regime's prisons. When the Carter administration refused, they occupied the American embassy. This event is called the Iran Hostage Crisis.
See: Salah el-Dine Tarazi