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.

Early protests

In 1977, following human rights pressure from U.S. President Jimmy Carter (who threatened to cut arms shipments), more than 300 political prisoners were released, censorship was relaxed, and the court system reformed. This loosening of restrictions led to more campaigns from the opposition, where writers campaigned for freedom of thought, and people began to demonstrate. Also, the policy of land reform which the Shah implemented, and had also been caused by pressure from the Carter administration, infuriated the mullahs (who declared a holy war against the Shah), and contributed to the Shah's problems.

Related Topics:
1977 - Jimmy Carter - Freedom of thought

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This early opposition was lead by Mehdi Bazargan and his Freedom Movement of Iran. It was a liberal, secularist group that was closely linked to Massadegh's movement of the 1950s. This group saw significant support in Iran and abroad in the West.

Related Topics:
Mehdi Bazargan - Freedom Movement of Iran - Massadegh - 1950s

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More radical was Ali Shari'ati, who combined Marxism and Shia orthodoxy into a revolutionary movement inspired by the Cuban and Algerian revolutions. Shari'ati's alleged murder in London in 1977, which was blamed on SAVAK agents, greatly inflamed tensions.

Related Topics:
Ali Shari'ati - Marxism - Shia - Cuban - Algerian revolutions - London - 1977 - SAVAK

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The Ulema were divided, some allying with the liberal secularists, and others with the Marxists. Khomeini, who was in exile in Iraq, led a small faction that advocated the overthrow of the regime and the creation of a theocratic state. In late 1977, Khomeini's son Mostafa was found dead of unknown reasons; again the Shah security forces were blamed.

Related Topics:
Iraq - Mostafa

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The various anti-establishment groups operated from outside Iran, mostly in London, Paris, Iraq, and Turkey. Speeches by the leaders of these groups were placed on audio cassettes to be smuggled into Iran. The speeches could then be listened to by the largely illiterate population.

Related Topics:
Paris - Turkey - Audio cassette

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