iranian revolution
Introduction
The Iranian Revolution started because the people of Iran were unhappy with their current government leader. They wanted someone who was fair and who would uphold the culture of Iran. This led to another ruler who seemed like the perfect leader at the time. To understand the book Persepolis it is especially important to understand Iran's history since 1900.
Iran's revolution began with a popular democracy movement and ended with the establishment of the world's first Islamic state. The revolution turned Iranian society upside down and became one of the defining moments of the 20th Century.
The Iranian Revolution started because the people of Iran were unhappy with their current government leader. They wanted someone who was fair and who would uphold the culture of Iran. This led to another ruler who seemed like the perfect leader at the time. To understand the book Persepolis it is especially important to understand Iran's history since 1900.
Iran's revolution began with a popular democracy movement and ended with the establishment of the world's first Islamic state. The revolution turned Iranian society upside down and became one of the defining moments of the 20th Century.
The Shah
Before the revolution, Iran was ruled by Shah Reza Pahlavi. Power was clustered among a close network of the Shah's relations and friends. During the 1970s, the gap between Iran's rich and poor grew. The people of Iran distrusted the government and slowly resented his entire regime.
Before the revolution, Iran was ruled by Shah Reza Pahlavi. Power was clustered among a close network of the Shah's relations and friends. During the 1970s, the gap between Iran's rich and poor grew. The people of Iran distrusted the government and slowly resented his entire regime.
Voice of Opposition
Opposition voices rallied round Ayatollah Khomeini, a Shia cleric (or priest) living in exile in Paris. Promising social and economic reform, Ayatollah prescribed a return to traditional religious values, which struck a chord with many Iranians. He stated that the government should be 100% Islam and based on Islamic values. Khomeini wanted Iran to be ruled by “God’s government.”
Opposition voices rallied round Ayatollah Khomeini, a Shia cleric (or priest) living in exile in Paris. Promising social and economic reform, Ayatollah prescribed a return to traditional religious values, which struck a chord with many Iranians. He stated that the government should be 100% Islam and based on Islamic values. Khomeini wanted Iran to be ruled by “God’s government.”
Gathering Storm
As the 1970s drew to a close, a series of large-scale, increasingly violent anti-Shah protests swept Iran. They were tired of his empty promises, the Westernized or “American” ways, and strict police enforcement. Instability, including a wave of general strikes, continued throughout the year, crippling the country's economy.
The Shah saw himself as heir to the kings of ancient Iran, and in 1971 he held an extravagant celebration of 2,500 years of Persian monarchy. In 1976 he replaced the Islamic calendar with an "imperial" calendar, which began with the foundation of the Persian Empire more than 25 centuries earlier. These actions were viewed as anti-Islamic and resulted in religious opposition.
Fallen Leader
In January 1979, the Shah left Tehran for an "extended vacation". He was never to return. All over Iran, statues of the Shah were torn down by Khomeini supporters.
As the 1970s drew to a close, a series of large-scale, increasingly violent anti-Shah protests swept Iran. They were tired of his empty promises, the Westernized or “American” ways, and strict police enforcement. Instability, including a wave of general strikes, continued throughout the year, crippling the country's economy.
The Shah saw himself as heir to the kings of ancient Iran, and in 1971 he held an extravagant celebration of 2,500 years of Persian monarchy. In 1976 he replaced the Islamic calendar with an "imperial" calendar, which began with the foundation of the Persian Empire more than 25 centuries earlier. These actions were viewed as anti-Islamic and resulted in religious opposition.
Fallen Leader
In January 1979, the Shah left Tehran for an "extended vacation". He was never to return. All over Iran, statues of the Shah were torn down by Khomeini supporters.
Left: Iranian hostages of the revolution. All those opposed to the Shah were imprisoned.
Center: Iranian political prisoners Right: Protesters burning the American flag. Many Iranians blamed the United States and England for the war. They believed that the U.S and the UK were plotting to secure relations with the oil rich Iran. |
The Revolution Begins
On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini made a dramatic return from exile. Supporters rallied to meet him and caused chaos in the streets. Street battles raged in towns and provinces between pro-Khomeini demonstrators and supporters of Shah’s imperial regime. The people of Iran were looking for a leader who would change the face of Iran. They would use force and violence to get it. This became known as the Iranian or Islamic Revolution. Revolutionaries stormed Tehran's main radio station and declared: "This is the voice of the revolution of the Iranian people! Down with the Shah."
On February 1, 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini made a dramatic return from exile. Supporters rallied to meet him and caused chaos in the streets. Street battles raged in towns and provinces between pro-Khomeini demonstrators and supporters of Shah’s imperial regime. The people of Iran were looking for a leader who would change the face of Iran. They would use force and violence to get it. This became known as the Iranian or Islamic Revolution. Revolutionaries stormed Tehran's main radio station and declared: "This is the voice of the revolution of the Iranian people! Down with the Shah."
New Era Begins
Two months later, Ayatollah Khomeini won a landslide victory in the race for a new Iranian ruler. He declared Iran an Islamic republic and was appointed Iran's political and religious leader for life.
Ayatollah Khomeini, in his 10 years of leadership, established a theocratic rule over Iran. He did not fulfill his pre-revolution promises to the people of Iran. During his early years in power, he launched the Cultural Revolution in order to Islamize the whole country. Many people were laid off and books were revised or burnt according to the new Islamic values. Newly established Islamic Judiciary system sentenced many Iranians to death and long-term imprisonment as they were in opposition to those radical changes. Khomeini promised to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to make Iran a representative democracy, but after the seized power, he formed the Islamic Republic, making himself Head of State for life.
During his reign, he re-instated various laws. Women were forced to wear the chador and both women and men were compelled to dress according to restrictive codes. Tens of thousands of opponents to Ayatollah were condemned and killed. The Bahai religious minority group was deprived of practicing their faith, which resulted in ten young female teachers’ death in 1983. Homosexuals were hanged as well. Foreign reading materials and films were restricted. Torture became commonplace. For example, under Ayatollah’s new law, it was forbidden to execute a virgin. Therefore, women were first married to their jailers. Then, women raped before being married. Many women were pinpointed and arrested for this purpose only.
Iran was promised a new government and a new leader who would lead them to the path of righteousness and
equality. Instead, Khomeini and his new government lead them in a path of turmoil, injustice, and uncertainty.
In the past four decades, the country of Iran has experienced changes in government, a massive up heal of
Iranian women and men to other countries, and other newsworthy events. Through it all, Iran has kept their sense of pride for their country alive with their rich culture, religion, and way of life.
The book we are about to read, Persepolis, is a true-life account of Marjane Satrapi before and during the Iranian Revolution.
Two months later, Ayatollah Khomeini won a landslide victory in the race for a new Iranian ruler. He declared Iran an Islamic republic and was appointed Iran's political and religious leader for life.
Ayatollah Khomeini, in his 10 years of leadership, established a theocratic rule over Iran. He did not fulfill his pre-revolution promises to the people of Iran. During his early years in power, he launched the Cultural Revolution in order to Islamize the whole country. Many people were laid off and books were revised or burnt according to the new Islamic values. Newly established Islamic Judiciary system sentenced many Iranians to death and long-term imprisonment as they were in opposition to those radical changes. Khomeini promised to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to make Iran a representative democracy, but after the seized power, he formed the Islamic Republic, making himself Head of State for life.
During his reign, he re-instated various laws. Women were forced to wear the chador and both women and men were compelled to dress according to restrictive codes. Tens of thousands of opponents to Ayatollah were condemned and killed. The Bahai religious minority group was deprived of practicing their faith, which resulted in ten young female teachers’ death in 1983. Homosexuals were hanged as well. Foreign reading materials and films were restricted. Torture became commonplace. For example, under Ayatollah’s new law, it was forbidden to execute a virgin. Therefore, women were first married to their jailers. Then, women raped before being married. Many women were pinpointed and arrested for this purpose only.
Iran was promised a new government and a new leader who would lead them to the path of righteousness and
equality. Instead, Khomeini and his new government lead them in a path of turmoil, injustice, and uncertainty.
In the past four decades, the country of Iran has experienced changes in government, a massive up heal of
Iranian women and men to other countries, and other newsworthy events. Through it all, Iran has kept their sense of pride for their country alive with their rich culture, religion, and way of life.
The book we are about to read, Persepolis, is a true-life account of Marjane Satrapi before and during the Iranian Revolution.
The Iranian revolution explained
Watch the video below. It recaps the reasons for the Iranian Revolution.