Iranian Revolution

The Iranian Revolution was the 1979 revolution that transformed Iran from an autocratic, pro-western monarchy, under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, to an Islamic, populist theocratic republic under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution has been divided into two stages: the first stage saw an alliance of liberal, leftist, and religious groups oust the Shah; the second stage, often named the Islamic Revolution, saw the ayatollah's come to power.

Related Topics:
1979 - Revolution - Iran - Monarchy - Shah - Mohammad Reza Pahlavi - Populist - Theocratic - Republic - Ayatollah - Khomeini

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The Shah had been in power since 1941, with a brief interruption in 1953; through the 1960s and 1970s he faced continued opposition, from religious figures as well as from urban middle classes, who were not among the wealthy elite benefitting from the Shah's extravagance, and who supported a constitutional democracy. The Shah enforced a strict regime, imprisoning hundreds of political activists, and enforcing censorship laws. While living conditions for most of the population were poor, there was little popular demand for constitutional reform.

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1941 - 1953 - 1960s - 1970s

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In 1978 a series of protests, triggered by a libelous story attacking Khomeini in the official press, created an escalating cycle of violence, until, on December 12, over two million people filled the streets of Azadi Square in Tehran to protest against the Shah. The army began to disintegrate, as conscripts refused to fire on demonstrators and began to switch sides. The Shah agreed to introduce a more moderate constitution, but it was too late for compromise. The majority of the population was loyal to Khomeini, and when he called for a complete end to the monarchy, the Shah was forced to flee the country on January 16, 1979. Khomeini returned to Iran (from France) on February 1, invited by the anti-Shah revolution already in progress, and Khomeini rapidly displaced the more moderate elements, creating an Islamic Republic with himself as Supreme Leader.

Related Topics:
December 12 - Azadi Square - Tehran - January 16 - 1979 - February 1 - Supreme Leader

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